The island includes a large grassy field, picnic areas, restroom facilities, and a few tiny sandy beaches.

[1] [2] A popular recreational activity is to jump off the tower into the waters of Hilo Bay.

Legend tells that anyone who was sick or feeling ill would be healed by swimming around Mokuola three times.

In ancient times, Mokuola was a pu'uhonua (place of refuge), where natives or warriors could "redeem" themselves.

Many native Hawaiians would also bury their children's piko (umbilical cords) under the flat rocks here, so the rats would not find them (piko are often considered sacred to Hawaiians, as they are the connection to their mothers and to their blood lines).