Opihi

1. Opihi ByMia Nakagawa

2. The Physical Description of anOpihi The Opihi species are known for their sharp pointy shells. They get them from huge waves when they crash over them! The bottom of the opihi is called the foot, they use it for clinging to rocks so they don’t get swept out to sea.

3. The Opihi Habitat Opihis’ are mostly found in tide pools or on rocks near the ocean. The Blackfoot opihi is found in calmer waters so it’s more or most common. The yellow foot is found in areas below the low tide mark which is very hard to collect.

4. Opihi are Harmed by Other Species • Some people love to eat opihi so much they harm its reproduction. • Sea Urchins love to stop by the tide pools to get a tasty snack. • Sting Rays are pretty easy to escape from the sting ray because of it’s tiny mouth.

5. Opihi’s are harmed • The reason opihi’s are important to Hawaii, is because many endangered species on Oahu. • Like I say that opihi only harm algae.

6. Opihi are Very Important to Hawaiians • One reason they were important to hawaiians is because they used it as a knife. • opihi ko’ele was used to scrape off skins for cooked taro and breadfruit.

7. Other Cool Facts About Opihi • There are four different opihi species native endemic to Hawaii. • They are much easier to pick while eating food. • An opihi has to be a certain size to pick which is 1.25 inches according to Hawaiians.

8. Other Cool Facts About Opihi • Did you know that opihi only eat algae! • Opihi also come in a multiple of colors.

9. My Sources • Maui Ocean Center. Com • Otters (a book) • Hana Hou magazine of Hawaiian airlines • Wikipedia/opihi.