ʻOʻOPU - 5 PACK

 

Sizes: 
- ʻAlamoʻo, Orange, 4.5” x 2.38”

- Nōpili, Sand, 4.5” x 3.95”

- Naniha, Red, 4.5” x 2.61”

- Nākea, Sand, 3.5” x 2.34”

- ʻAkupa, 4.5” x 1.87” 

 

Written by Puakea Moʻokini-Oliveira

Photos by Kanoelani Steward and Puakea Moʻokini Oliveira

 

Summary

In Hawaiʻinuiākea, there are five endemic* Hawaiian freshwater gobies called ʻoʻopu wai**. All but one ʻoʻopu are in the Family Gobiidae. Akupa (Eleotris sandwicense) are the only ʻoʻopu not considered a “true goby” because unlike the others, its pectoral fins are not fused to form a single disc. With this disc, along with specialized jaw structures, some ʻoʻopu can cling securely onto rocks, which aids in individual climbing abilities. The ʻoʻopu are primary and secondary consumers, which make them common indicators of a riverine system’s condition.

Lifecycle

The ʻoʻopu lifecycle has certainly adapted to the flashy conditions of Hawaiʻi’s narrow valleys and short stream systems - compared to larger river systems found elsewhere. ʻOʻopu have been recorded as being amphidromous, spending time in both salt and freshwater during their lifetimes. Nākea are known to migrate downstream to spawn in shallow riffles. Female ʻoʻopu are signaled by seasonal freshets to lay their eggs under rocks, guarded by males (to be fertilized). Once hatched, free embryos will be carried downstream in the flashy conditions, where the plankton will drift and develop in the nearshore fishery. As hinana, or post-larvae, the fish go through their first migration upstream back into freshwater. Evidenced by the presence of hinana quite frequently throughout the year, it is possible that there is a lot of overlap in spawning seasons for each ʻoʻopu. Generally, ‘oʻopu spawning is known to be during high streamflow events (Summer-Spring). ʻOʻopu exhibit sexual dimorphism, where males and females are of different sizes and colorations in adulthood, though there are overlapping instances in juveniles.

Traditional Knowledge and Practices

ʻOʻopu were a favored fish, prepared lāwalu (cooked in tī leaf) or enjoyed maka (raw). ʻOʻopu are kinolau of moʻo, Hawaiʻi’s reptilian water beings. As such, ʻoʻopu were not eaten by ‘ohana with relations to moʻo, in respect for an ancestor/relative(s). William Kinney of Kauaʻi was one of many Kanaka ʻŌiwi informants for the book Native Use of Fish in Hawaiʻi. He spoke of how each ʻoʻopu would consume the ʻōhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) flowers that sunk to the stream bottom, awarding them the epithet ʻoʻopu ʻai lehua. Pukui shares in ʻŌlelo Noʻeau many sayings referencing the habits and practices related to ʻoʻopu, and tell the knowledge Kanaka ʻŌiwi had about their surrounding environment, including rivers and streams. A native speaker and/or one who spends time observing these fish can affirm that the Hawaiian names for ʻoʻopu are indeed related to their appearance, behaviors, and/or how they interact with their aquatic environment.

 

Alamoʻo, Hiʻu ʻula, Hiʻukole, Nuʻukole

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Lentipes

Species: concolor

The alamoʻo is regarded as the strongest climber of all ‘oʻopu species. It is often found in the middle to high reaches of a stream and has even been observed scaling waterfalls. The males exhibit a distinct vertical margin displaying an orange, sometimes red posterior. It is thought to be bad luck for a fisher-person to have this species caught in their net.

 

Nopili, Napili

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Sicyopterus

Species: stimpsoni

Nopili are seen within the middle to upper reaches of a stream. They prefer swift moving water. Nopili are primary consumers, eating a strictly herbivorous diet. When displaying, males exhibit a distinct horizontal white stripe. In reference to the nopili’s ability to cling tightly to rocks, these ʻoʻopu were particularly favored for specific ceremonies, including love magic.

Nākea, Nōkea, Nāwao

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Awaous

Species: stamineus

The nākea are one of the largest of ‘oʻopu, with some individuals upwards of 10 inches. Nākea are distinguished by a large mouth, black and yellow stripes on their fins, and a black patch on the caudal fin. They are omnivores eating a diet of green algae, aquatic larvae and insects, etc. If caught, nākea are the only ʻoʻopu that can be accurately sexed, because they display identifiable external genital papillae.

 

Naniha, Kaniʻo

Family: Gobiidae

Genus: Stenogobius

Species: hawaiiensis

Naniha do have a single disc instead of pectoral fins, yet they are sometimes not found as high as other Gobiidae. Naniha can be seen in lower reaches of a stream, in overlapping elevations where akupa are present. They burrow in gravel or sandy bottoms in slower water, and bury their nose into the substratum to feed on insect larvae, algae, and more.

 

Akupa, apohā, okuhe, oau/owau

Okuhekuhe, akuhekuhe (young, bigger than hinana)

Family: Eleotridae

Genus: Eleotris

Species: sandwicensis

Akupa are euryhaline, meaning they can live in freshwater, brackish, or saltwater. As the ‘oʻopu lacking fused pelvic fins, akupa are found in lower reaches, particularly in slow moving water. They are often hiding under rocks or woody debris, and can be quite alarming to see! Perhaps that is whom is referred in the ‘ōlelo noʻeau, “Ka iʻa koʻekoʻe o ka ʻili i ka wai!” (The fish that chills one’s skin in the water; #1355).

 

* Endemic means it is native and only found in a particular location.

** A note on spelling of Hawaiian words. Variations may indeed include ʻokinas (glottal stop) or kahakōs (macron). However, I have used the spelling as written in Native Use of Fish in Hawaiʻi (1951) by Margaret Titcomb and Mary Kawena Pukui. There are ʻokina and kahakō in Pukui’s Folktales of Hawaiʻi: He Mau Kaʻao Hawaiʻi (1995), but it is unclear if that appeared in the original text, or if those were added in newer editions.