All five species of endemic o‘opu (the “goby,” Hawaii’s only native freshwater fishes) can be found within the Waimea stream system and MLCD. O‘opu are anadromous; they spend their early life in the ocean and then migrate back up into the streams. Three of the species can climb waterfalls and rapids with their “suction cups”! Waimea stream is one of the last places on O‘ahu with all five species of gobies.
The early Hawaiians loved to eat this fish, and they thought eating it would bring them good luck. The o‘opu nopili was used in house warming ceremonies, so that they would have good luck throughout their lives. Just another reason to protect the MLCD — it is a refuge for cool critters.