The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands have recently come under more scrutiny than ever
before. Until now, the NWHI were only in the public eye occasionally such as when ships
were wrecked in the shallow waters near the islands. Today a number of federal and state
government agencies, non-profit organizations, scientists, activists, businessmen, and
fishermen are helping to shape the future of these islands. In the near future, much of
the NWHI's islands, atolls and reefs may come under the jurisdiction of a newly created
Coral Reef Reserve, the first such reserve in the nation.
Nihoa
Nihoa is unlike any of the other Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) with its 900 foot
cliffs, basalt rock surface, and tiny beach. This small island is about 1 square
kilometers (171 acres) and is at the southeastern end of the NWHI chain.
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to learn more about Nihoa.
Mokumanamana
About 155 miles northwest of Nihoa lies Mokumanamana, or Necker Island, a small basalt
island that is 1/6 square kilometers, or 46 acres, in size. Although the island is the
second smallest of the NWHI, it has the second largest surrounding marine habitat (almost
385,000 acres). Large offshore areas include Shark Bay on the north side, West Cove and
Northwest Cape as well as miles of shallow reef to the southeast.
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to learn more about Mokumanamana.
French Frigate Shoals
French Frigate Shoals is an atoll consisting of a large, crescent-shaped reef surrounding
numerous small, sandy islets. While the land area is only square kilometer (67 acres), the
total coral reef area of the shoals is over 938 square kilometers (232,000 acres).
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to learn more about French Frigate Shoals.
Gardner Pinnacles
When the two pinnacles of volcanic rock between French Frigate Shoals and Maro Reef come
into view, mariners know they have reached Gardner Pinnacles. This 5-acre island comprises
the smallest land area of any of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Underwater
shelves reach outward from the pinnacles and extend over an area of 2,446 square kilometers
(604,000 acres).
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to learn more about Gardner Pinnacles.
Maro Reef
Maro Reef is the largest coral reef in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), with
over 1,934 square kilometers (approximately 746 square miles or 478,000 acres) of reef area.
Unlike classic ring-shaped atolls, Maro is a complex maze of linear reefs that radiate out
from the center like the spokes of a wheel. It is named after the whaling ship Maro, which
traveled these waters in 1820.
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to learn more about Maro Reef.
Laysan
At more than 1,000 acres, Laysan is the largest single landmass in the Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). It extends about 1.6 kilometers across and 2.4 kilometers long.
Its poi board shape was formed by geologic uplift and by coral growth. It has fringing reefs
and a hypersaline (very salty) lake in its interior, the only lake in the NWHI. A white sand
beach surrounds Laysan's beautiful lake and is topped by dry coastal grasses. Sedges grow
thick near the lake's edge.
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to learn more about Laysan.
Lisianski
About 20 million years ago, geologic forces raised the tip of a huge coral bank above
sea level. Today, Lisianski Island is 1.5 square kilometers (381 acres), about the size of
Honolulu. Its highest point is a sand dune about 40 feet above sea level. Though the island
is small, the reef area to the southeast, called Neva Shoals, is huge, covering 979 square
kilometers, an area nearly the size of O`ahu.
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to learn more about Lisianski.
Pearl and Hermes
Pearl and Hermes Atoll is a true atoll that is primarily underwater and has numerous
islets, seven of which are above sea level. While total land area is only 0.32 square
kilometers (80 acres), the reef area is huge, over 770 square kilometers (194,000 acres).
The atoll is ever changing, with islets eme