Malama Waiaʻelepī Caring for the Hawaiian Anchialine Ponds of Waiaʻelepī, Hawaiʻi

This project on Hawaiʻi Islandʻs Kona coast will support community efforts to restore and protect the Waiaʻelepī anchialine pool system. Anchialine pools (wai ʻōpae) are isolated coastal pools with a subsurface connection to both freshwater and seawater and are some of Hawaiʻiʻs most threated aquatic ecosystems. A unique biological community of native shrimp and other invertebrates inhabit anchialine pools. These habitats are threatened by encroaching invasive vegetation, sea level rise, and introduction of non-native fish. The conservation of remaining anchialine pools is critical to the continued improvement of these habitats across the region.

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A view of the Sacramento River. Its flat, blue water is lined by bright green trees and vegetation. Blue skies are overhead.
The National Fish Habitat Partnership is a comprehensive effort to treat the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. The Partnership is a national investment strategy to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Funds are leveraged through regional partnerships to...
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Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office
Welcome to the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office! We are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ecological services program. Here we work closely with partners to conserve fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats throughout Pacific Islands. The areas we help to protect include the...
Conservation Office
Honolulu,HI

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