The Bicolor Chub is one of several chubs here, but the only one endemic to Hawaii. While it has a lot of similarities to the Gray Chub, the two-tone coloring makes it easy to identify. Some Bicolor Chubs are dark at the back and light at the front. This one also has the dark top to its head and face. Some of them also have dark backs so that the only light part is the belly area.
The distinctive Bluestripe Butterflyfish, which is endemic to Hawaii, is unusual in that it has no eye camouflage. This one was nibbling on algae on part of an old pier.
On a recent snorkeling trip I saw the big eyes of this small Giant Porcupinefish looking up at me.
The ocean is full of strange, but colorful sea creatures including these seen in the sheltered waters of Kawaihae.
I love the patterns in shallow water and it’s a bonus when something, such as this turtle, add a twist to the image.
I was snorkeling recently when I saw this Dwarf Moray Eel hunting with a small Saddle Wrasse. It promptly disappeared under a rock and I didn’t expect to see it again. But I was in no hurry, so moved away a bit and kept watch. After a while the eel poked its head out, hesitated, then swam out.
I snapped these two photos, the first as it emerged and the second as it disappeared again. I like how, in the top photo, the eel oozes out of a hole no bigger around than it is, which is less than an inch! These small eels typically are less than a foot long.
These robust steps lead into the water at the small park between the Port of Kawaihae and its small boat harbor. They’re nice and wide so surfers can get in and out on their way to the surf break in the vicinity. I was hoping that a large shape might pass by the steps, which is not unreasonable since there are a lot of sharks in this area.
This is the state fish of Hawaii and while its official name is straightforward, in Hawaii it’s called the Humuhumu-nukunuku-ā-pua’a, which is actually easier to pronounce than it looks.
The fish is also known as the Picasso Triggerfish, a reference to its bold colors and markings.
