Marine Life

When the first Polynesians landed in Hawai‘i, most of the life they found there was unique to that place. Organisms found only in one place are called endemic, and Hawai‘i has one of the highest rates of endemism on the planet. The first settlers were adept fishermen guided by an integrated network of kapu, or rules, that determined when an area was healthy enough to be used. Konohiki managed closures of fishing areas depending on seasons, fish life cycles, moon phases, and other natural clocks. Kohola, or humpback whales, nai‘a, or dolphins, and honu, or Hawaiian green sea turtles, all have counterpoints in Hawaiian legends. Kohola are seasonal, arriving in Hawai‘i’s waters every winter, while nai‘a and honu are visible year-round.

Holualoa, Hawaii · United States