Molokini Islet Provides Habitat for Native Fish and Birds
Unique offshore shoal is home to many Hawaiian species.
While many snorkelers think of Molokini Crater as a great place to see Hawaii's tropical fish, there are also a variety of other Hawaiian species that can be seen at the crater.
The whole area around Molokini Crater is known as a State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District. The area above the water at Molokini is a bird sanctuary while the area below the water is a marine sanctuary.
Within the preserved area of Molokini are many native Hawaiian birds that thrive in the fish-rich environment. In all the preserve protects 38 coral species and 260 fish species as well as being a State bird sanctuary.
Birds seen at Molokini include one of Hawaii's largest species, the Great Frigate bird known in Hawaiian as Iwa, or thief due to its habit of stealing fish from other birds.
Also seen at Molokini is the wedge-tailed shearwater bird, known in Hawaiian as uau kani, or "moaning petrel." The shearwaters nest at Molokini and are distinguished by their hooked bill and distinctive wedge-shaped tail. Also nesting at Molokini is the Bulwer's petrel.
Hawaiian fish species commonly seen at Molokini Crater include the raccoon butterflyfish, surgeon fish, black triggerfish, bluefin trevally, Moorish idol, yellow tang fish, parrot fish, and many more fish species to numerous to mention here. Many of the species seen at Molokini are found nowhere else in the world.
Larger marine life seen at Molokini may include eels, spinner dolphins, monk seals, green sea turtles, and even white-tip reef sharks. Nearly forty different types of hard coral grow around on or near Molokini, along with about one hundred algae species.
