Main Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Archipelago is distributed approximately 1,296 nmi (2,960 km) in the north central Pacific Ocean. It consists of two regions: eight populated large islands, the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), and 124 mostly uninhabited small islands, atolls, reefs, and submerged banks to the northwest of the MHI, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).
The eight Main Hawaiian Islands, listed from East to West are: Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. All except Kahoolawe are inhabited.
The MHI are high volcanic islands with non-structural reef communities, fringing reefs, and two barrier reefs. With few exceptions, the near-shore coral reefs range from fair to excellent condition but are threatened by continued population growth, overexploitation of many target food fishes and invertebrates, urbanization, runoff, and development. Attractive marine aquarium trade species have been heavily exploited. Introduced aquatic alien species are threats because they may out-compete endemic species.
Greater than 60 percent of coral reefs in U.S. waters are found in the Hawaiian Archipelago. These marine ecosystems are not only ecologically important but also provide hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Hawaii’s economy.
Map of the Main Hawaiian Islands (Map: MantlePlumes.org)
Main Hawaiian Islands satellite map (NASA)
State of the Reefs Reports
(SOTR)
The
State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2008.
The
State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2005.
The
State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2002.
Metadata, Data and Publications
search in CoRIS
Search the CoRIS Library for Main Hawaiian Islands metadata, data and publications
ReefBase Coral Bleaching Reports
Select "U.S. Pacific Islands" in the Region
window and "Main Hawaii Islands" in the Country window.
Near-real-time Data
NOAA's Integrated Coral Observing Network (ICON)
The Global Temperature-Salinity Profile Program
NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program
NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch: Satellite coral bleaching monitoring
NOAA Coral Reef Watch: SST/DHW Time Series and Satellite Bleaching Alerts
Coral Bleaching Indices: Degree Heating Weeks
NOAA Tides and Currents
NOAA/National Weather Service
Other Data and Information
Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of the Main Hawaiian Islands – 2007
Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS)
Benthic Habitats and Offshore Geological Resources of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Hawai‘i
Hawai’i Coral Reef network
Hawai‘i Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program
Hawai`i’s Local Action Strategy to Address Land-Based Pollution
To Coral Reefs
Hawaiian Reef Algae
Reef Check Hawaii
Alien and Invasive Algae in Hawaii
Status of Maui’s Coral Reefs
Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center
Education and Outreach
Venture into Hawaii’s Coral reefs
Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative
Help Conserve Hawaii’s Reefs
Coral Reef Outreach network
Hawaii Coral Reefs
Hawai’i Coral Reef Bibliography
General educational topics about coral reefs
Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program
Facts about Hawaii’s Coral Reef Ecosystem
The Coral Reef Alliance
Super Sucker vacuums alien algae off Hawaiian Reefs
The Nature Conservancy in Hawaii
Waikiki Aquarium - Coral education page
Waikiki Aquarium
Marine Life Photography - Marine life identification guide for Hawaii & beyond
Hawaii Local Action Strategy
New Mapping Techniques Help Assess the Health of Hawaii’s Coral Reefs
New NOAA Maps Show Big Island Has Most Live Coral of Main Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii’s drowned coral reefs
Coral and Live Rock Laws of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Hawaii's Statewide Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Strategy Fact Sheets for Groups of Hawaii Species of Greatest Conservation Need Hawaii's Aquatic Species Database
Aquatic Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Hawaii Sharks
Marine Protected Areas/ Marine Managed Areas
National Marine Fisheries Service Inventory of Marine Managed Areas
Report on the Status of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States. Volume 1: Marine Protected Areas Managed by U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths. NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 2 February 2007
Marine Protected Areas of the United States Home Page
The Marine Protected Areas Inventory
Federal MPA Legislation
Marine Federal Areas Fact Sheet
Executive order 13158: Marine Protected Areas
MPA Virtual Library
Marine Protected Areas in Hawaii
Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve
Barbers Point
Hakalau to Onomea Bay
Hanalei-Kilauea Point
Hanamaulu Bay, Ahukini Recreational Pier
Hanauma Bay
Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuges
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Hilo Bay, Wailoa River, Wailuku River
Ilio Point to Panalaia Point
Ka Lae
Kaena Point to Makua
Kahoolawe Island Reserve
Kahului Harbor
Kailua Bay
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Kalohi/Pailolo Channels
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Kaneohe Bay
Kaunakakai Harbor
Kaupo to Kaapahu Bay
Kawaihae Harbor
Kealakekua Bay
Keauhou Bay
Kiholo Bay to Puako
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kona Coast
Lapakahi
Leleiwi Point to Kaloli Point
Makahuena Point to S. Kawai Point
Makapuu Point
Makawana Point to Pauwela Point
Manele Harbor
Manele-Hulopo'e
Maunalua Bay
Moku-o-loe Island (Coconut Island)
Molokini Shoal
Nawiliwili Harbor
Niihau
Old Kona Airport
Palemano Point to Alika
Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
Penguin Bank, pinnacle
Penguin Bank, Third Finger
Port Allen
Puako Bay, Puako Reef
Pupukea
Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Waialea Bay
Waikiki
Waikiki-Diamond Head
Waimea Bay, Waimea Recreational Pier
West Hawaii Regional Fisheries Management Area
West Hawaii Regional Fisheries Management Area
West Hawaii Regional Fisheries Management Area
Press Releases and Public Awareness
Hawaiian Coral Reef Ecosystem - A Unique Treasure
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