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Handout 2 <br />Hamakua Times. March 2018 <br />The Lonely Life of the Hamakua `Opihi <br />by Robert T. Nishimoto, PhD <br />Ninole, Hawaii <br />Our Hamakua, from Waipi`o Valley to Kaiwiki, is often referred to as Hilo Paliku <br />by elders. The name refers to the geological characteristic of the windward side of <br />the Big Island; high cliffs with very narrow boulder beaches punctuated by large <br />coastal bays (Honoli`i, Hakalau, Malua, Waipi`o, etc) identifying large river <br />valleys connecting the ma uka forests to the ocean. We can see this cliff profile <br />from the top of the road (looking toward Hilo) when driving to Laupahoehoe Point. <br />The landward edge of the coastal strip ends abruptly at the base of the cliff and the <br />seaward edge is alternately exposed and immersed by tides twice daily and, <br />especially during winter, scoured by large waves. This zone, called the intertidal, <br />is the area between the high and low tides. Typical tourists would not enjoy a <br />place like this, but it serves as an ideal habitat for the native `opihi. This cultural <br />and culinary treasure to local residents, is sometimes called, "He Pa make ka <br />`opihi"' (Pukui, `Olelo No`eau), literally translated as fish -of -death. Considering <br />the `opihi' treacherous habitat that it occupies, and the high demand by fish <br />markets and locals for luaus, there are more human ocean fatalities connected to <br />x this species, then to any other marine animals such as sharks, jellyfishes, etc. <br />There are 3 species of native `opihi, and each occupies a different zone by species. <br />The `opihi makaiauli, the black -footed limpet, lives the highest, at the high tide <br />mark, where they can tolerate dry conditions with occasional wave splashes. The <br />yellow -foot, or `opihi alinalina, live at or below the low tide mark, where it needs <br />constant immersion and cannot tolerate drying out. The largest of the species, <br />`opihi ko `ele, growing to about 4 inches long, is always submerged, usually living <br />on large boulders to a depth of 5 feet. This species is only found on Maui Nui and <br />the Big Island. <br />