Here you will be introduced to some of the most marvelous predators in Hawaii’s reefs. Residents include the Whitetip Reef shark, the Zebra shark, the Giant grouper and the Knifejaw.
For hundreds of years, sharks (manō) have been recognized as keepers of the ocean in native Hawaiian culture. Honored for their ecological and spiritual significance, sharks are known to provide protection, safety, and resources. These fishes are sometimes regarded as ancestral guardian spirits (‘aumākua), and were even once a reliable food source. Their skin and teeth were used to create hand tools, sandpaper, and drums.
Over 450 million years of evolution has shaped sharks into some of the most successful apex predators in the food web. Their skeletons are made entirely of cartilage and specialized organ structures allow them to detect electrical currents emitting from other animals. Primarily preying on injured, weak, and sick animals, sharks are an essential factor in maintaining the health of Hawaii’s reefs. Supporting a robust population of these amazing predators supports the longevity of Hawaiian reefs and the health of the global ocean.
