Coconut Island
Encyclopedia
Coconut Island, or Moku o Loe, is a 28-acre
(113,000 m²) island in Kāne'ohe Bay
off the island of O'ahu in the state
of Hawai'i, USA. It is a marine research facility of the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) of the University of Hawai`i.
In 1934-1936, Christian Holmes II, an heir to the Fleischmann
yeast fortune, doubled the original 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) island with coral rubble, sand, and earthen landfill. He established a residence with aquaria, kennels, and aviaries for his many pets. The island was converted to a rest and relaxation station for United States Navy
flyers during World War II
. A group of five Los Angeles
businessmen, including Edwin W. Pauley
, bought the island in 1947 to convert to an exclusive resort club and hotel. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the Pauley family used the island for summer get-aways. From the mid-80s to mid-90s Japanese real estate investor Katsuhiro Kawaguchi owned half the island, while the University owned the other half. In 1995, the Edwin Pauley Foundation granted a gift of $9.6 million to the University of Hawaii Foundation to purchase the private half of the island and build new laboratories on it.
The island is now completely owned by the state and is the facility for the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology, part of the University of Hawai`i. It is the only laboratory
built on a coral reef
, except for Heron Island, Lizard Island and a number of labs in the South Pacific, outside of America.
Coconut Island was used for the opening sequence of the television program
Gilligan's Island
.
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
(113,000 m²) island in Kāne'ohe Bay
Kane'ohe Bay
Kāneohe Bay, at 45 km², is the largest sheltered body of water in the main Hawaiian Islands. This reef-dominated embayment constitutes a significant scenic and recreational feature along the windward coast of the Island of Oahu...
off the island of O'ahu in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Hawai'i, USA. It is a marine research facility of the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) of the University of Hawai`i.
In 1934-1936, Christian Holmes II, an heir to the Fleischmann
Charles L. Fleischmann
Charles Louis Fleischmann was an innovative manufacturer of yeast and other consumer food products during the 19th Century...
yeast fortune, doubled the original 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) island with coral rubble, sand, and earthen landfill. He established a residence with aquaria, kennels, and aviaries for his many pets. The island was converted to a rest and relaxation station for United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
flyers during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A group of five Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
businessmen, including Edwin W. Pauley
Edwin W. Pauley
Edwin Wendell Pauley, Sr. was an American businessman and political leader.-Early life:Born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Elbert L...
, bought the island in 1947 to convert to an exclusive resort club and hotel. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the Pauley family used the island for summer get-aways. From the mid-80s to mid-90s Japanese real estate investor Katsuhiro Kawaguchi owned half the island, while the University owned the other half. In 1995, the Edwin Pauley Foundation granted a gift of $9.6 million to the University of Hawaii Foundation to purchase the private half of the island and build new laboratories on it.
The island is now completely owned by the state and is the facility for the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology, part of the University of Hawai`i. It is the only laboratory
Laboratory
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
built on a coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
, except for Heron Island, Lizard Island and a number of labs in the South Pacific, outside of America.
Coconut Island was used for the opening sequence of the television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
.
External links
- 2008 Institute bonds
- Field Study
- Marine Lab - must use PDF to read
- More on School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
- Decomposition patterns in terrestrial and intertidal habitats on Oahu Island and Coconut Island, Hawaii
- Hawaii Marine Laboratory Refuge
- Monthly Tide Calendar for Coconut Island