The largest of the eight main Hawaii Islands— Hawai’i, Maui, Molokai, O’ahu, and Kaua’i—have well-defined watersheds and perennial streams. There are 376 perennial streams on these islands, most of which start high in the mountains and high numerous waterfalls before they reach the ocean. Forty large stream systems form small stream-mouth estuaries at their confluence with the ocean. These estuaries are critical transition points for migratory fish species and represent the connecting point between inland and coastal systems. They are also important nursery habitat for many coastal marine reef fish during key life stages. Furthermore, Hawaii’s aquatic resources are considered to be absolutely vital to the islands’ [...]
