A journey to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

To navigate through the islands, use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard. Flash player is required.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef ecosystem extends approximately 1,250 miles and encompasses an area of 131,800 square miles. The region hosts more than 7,000 species, including marine mammals, fishes, sea turtles, birds and invertebrates.

At least one quarter of them are found nowhere else. As part of its educational mission, the voyaging canoe Hokule'a will sail among the islands and atolls this month, taking part in restoration and transmitting news and information about the trip to Hawai'i's school children.