Kualoa Regional Park is located in a beautiful area of O’ahu’s Windward coast. Kualoa mean “long back” in Hawaiian, and this area is rich in Hawaiian culture and history. The islet, Mokoli’i, is commonly known as Chinaman’s Hat because it has a conical shape that resembles the straw coolie hats used by immigrant workers. Kualoa Beach Park is a popular place to take photos of Mokoli’i as well as the windward O’ahu coastline.

Mokoli’i is said to be the amputated fluke of a dragon-like creature, Mo’o. Hi’iaka, goddess of lightning and Pele’s sister, was traveling the Windward coast when she met Mokoli’i, the Mo’o dragon. Hi’iaka fought the giant lizard and killed it with spears of lightning. She dismembered the body, and used it to form Hakipu’u road. When, she threw the tail away, it landed in the ocean.

Mokoli’i is most accessible from the state’s Kualoa Regional Beach Park. You can kayak, swim, snorkel, or boat to the island which has a challenging 206-foot trail to the top. This area is also a favorite place for weddings. It has beautiful palm trees, white sandy beaches, vast green areas, and the Ko’olau Mountains make a complete backdrop.

Kualoa Beach Park is located at 49-479 Kamehameha Highway, on the windward side of O’ahu.

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