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 Named
after the two pinnacles of volcanic rock that are a distinctive
landmark for mariners, the Gardner Pinnacles (Pūhāhonu in
Hawaiian, meaning “turtle surfacing for air”) are the smallest
island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Island chain. While
the two islands are tiny at just 5.939 acres (2.403 ha),
the surrounding reef is expansive, encompassing an area
of 600,000 acres (240,000 ha/940 sq mi). The highest peak
measures 170 feet (52 m).
First discovered on June 2, 1820 by the American whaler
Maro commanded by Captain Joseph Allen, the Gardner Pinnacles
are 588 miles (946 km) northwest of Honolulu. While the
islets’ landmass is home to only one plant, the luscious
sea purslane, the surrounding underwater life is much more
diverse. The underwater shelves are diverse and home to
the highest recorded numbers of fish species in the Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands, including many species not found anywhere
else in the Northwestern Hawaiian island chain.
These underwater shelves reach outward from the pinnacles
and extend over 604,000 acres (2,446 square kilometers).
The area is also known for its abundance of giant opihi,
the endemic Hawaiian limpet. The islets’ rocky inter-tidal
areas are an ideal habitat for them. Besides the large numbers
of fish species, the Gardner Pinnacles also have almost
twice the number of coral species than the two similar rocky
neighbor islands to the south, Nihoa and Necker Island.
In fact, 27 documented species of stony coral can be found
there.
Despite the islands’ small size, the Gardner Pinnacles is
home to numerous insects, such as spiders, moths, mites,
centipedes, flies, isopods, beetles and earwings, and 19
species of seabirds, including the rare blue gray noddy.
The Gardner Pinnacles are part of the
Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands wildlife refuge monument. A special permit is required
to visit this area. The islands are off-limits even to the
military, who once made an unauthorized entrance to blow
off the tip of an outcrop to build an emergency helicopter
landing spot.
Photo credit: Photos courtesy of Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands Multi-Agency Education Project
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Ala
Moana Beach Park, located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, is a
favorite beach among local Oahu residents. Often times less crowded than
Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana is a great place to swim, picnic, stroll on the
beach or to relax.
Wailea
Beach on Maui’s west coast is long and has golden sand. It’s one of five
beaches that are part of the Wailea resort complex, so it's often times
crowded. 
Kaena,
which means “red hot” or “glowing” in the Hawaiian language, is the name
of the northwestern tip of the island of Oahu. Kaena Point State Park is
so remote that no road leads here.
