Hawaii Vacations Blog - Hawaii Travel by a Hawaii Expert!

Chinaman’s Hat or Mokoli’i Island is a very special place for me and a great beach to spend the day swimming and firing up the grill!

I was raised mostly on the North and East shores of Oahu and some of my best beach memories as a child were at Chinaman’s Hat.  At least once a month we would plan a camping weekend at Chinaman’s Hat & this was no small deal - I’m talking my great grandparents, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, great aunts and great uncles, cousins, and on and on :)  Here’s a pic of my cousin Jason and I boogie boarding on one of those camping trips. 

In 2002 my great grandfather passed away and our family all went out into Kaneohe Bay to spread his ashes making this area even more special to us.  That same year we took this photo below of my great grandma and a few of her great great grandchildren.  I didn’t realize until today that I hadn’t been to this beach in almost six years since this picture below was taken… 

Today my cousin Jason turned 31 and my cousin and god daughter Kawaipiilama turns 7 tomorrow - spontaneously we all decided to get together today, reminisce, eat some good food, and celebrate our ohana (family).  Here’s some shots from today - it was absolutely gorgeous - the sun stayed out the whole time and I reminded myself what a great beach this was for the kids.  I also have to say there’s something about the Kualoa Mountains on the opposite side of the street from the beach that is so mesmerizing I could gaze at them all day long…..  A hui hou!