At only 4 acres, Popoia is one of Oahu’s smallest offshore islets. And its English name is an apt description of the mini land mass: it is indeed flat. If you’re in Kailua on Oahu’s Windward side, Popoia is easy to get to.
Popoia is located just off of scenic Kailua Beach. You’ll likely already see fellow kayaks on the beach or in the bay doing the same. (Go during a weekday morning for a less crowded experience.)
The islet is a seabird sanctuary, and although it’s small, you’ll see, and hear, dozens of wedge-tailed shearwaters nesting in burrows. Many kayakers visit Popoia first before heading out to visit, the larger, more popular Mokulua twin islets.
Head to Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks, located just before Kailua Beach Park for rentals. There, you can rent single and double kayaks for a half-day—four hours—full day, or even one week. Guided tours are also available.
Note that Oahu commercial vendors don’t rent kayaks on Sundays.