Hawaiʻi’s intertidal zones are composed a variety of well adapted species that are able to survive in its harsh conditions, especially in rocky coastlines. One of those species are ʻopihi, also referred to as Hawaiian limpets. ʻOpihi are arguably the most well known of the intertidal zone species, which can be due to its great taste that’s been prized by native Hawaiians and locals throughout the islands for centuries. There is an ʻōlelo noʻeau that states, "Ka iwi ʻopihi o ka ʻāina ʻē", translating to "ʻopihi shells from foreign lands" (Pukuʻi, 1983). Pukuʻi interpreted ʻopihi in this ʻōlelo noʻeau to symbolize money. There are three species of ʻopihi in Hawaii: ʻopihi kōʻele (Cellana talcosa), ʻopihi ʻālinalina (Cellana sandwicensis), and ʻopihi makaiauli (Cellana exarata). Each species occupy different areas along the rocky intertidal zone.
Kōʻele live on the lowest part of the intertidal zone and are submerged for most, if not, all the time. ʻĀlinalina live in the middle reaches along the intertidal zones where there is plenty of wave action. This area of the intertidal zone is also known as the wave zone (Bird, 2011). Makaiauli live on the highest part of the intertidal zone, where there is little water availability throughout the day, especially during low tides.
Being such a delicacy, ʻopihi populations have substantially decreased over the years through overharvesting by people. Not all the data are present to estimate ʻopihi population sizes; however, it's obvious when conversing with kūpuna that they noticed a decline in the amount of ʻopihi over their lifetime. Areas with higher human presence are usually associated with less ʻopihi and also smaller ʻopihi.
Gathering ʻopihi is a risky task that requires skill and awareness. Not only do ʻopihi pickers need to avoid falling while walking on sharp and sometimes slippery rocks, but they also need to watch for breaking waves that may crush them into the rocks or pull them into the ocean. "He iʻa make ka ʻopihi" is an ʻōlelo noʻeau, translating to "The ʻopihi is a fish of death" that can be interpreted to explain the dangers of gathering ʻopihi (Pukuʻi, 1983).
Kōʻele live on the lowest part of the intertidal zone and are submerged for most, if not, all the time. ʻĀlinalina live in the middle reaches along the intertidal zones where there is plenty of wave action. This area of the intertidal zone is also known as the wave zone (Bird, 2011). Makaiauli live on the highest part of the intertidal zone, where there is little water availability throughout the day, especially during low tides.
Being such a delicacy, ʻopihi populations have substantially decreased over the years through overharvesting by people. Not all the data are present to estimate ʻopihi population sizes; however, it's obvious when conversing with kūpuna that they noticed a decline in the amount of ʻopihi over their lifetime. Areas with higher human presence are usually associated with less ʻopihi and also smaller ʻopihi.
Gathering ʻopihi is a risky task that requires skill and awareness. Not only do ʻopihi pickers need to avoid falling while walking on sharp and sometimes slippery rocks, but they also need to watch for breaking waves that may crush them into the rocks or pull them into the ocean. "He iʻa make ka ʻopihi" is an ʻōlelo noʻeau, translating to "The ʻopihi is a fish of death" that can be interpreted to explain the dangers of gathering ʻopihi (Pukuʻi, 1983).