The red pencil urchin is one of the most colorful urchins found in the MLCD. Unlike many other spiny urchins found in Hawai‘i, this echinoderm has thick blunt spines that cannot inflict injury to humans.
Before the creation of the modern chalkboard or dry board, the spines of this urchin were sometimes used as chalk on slate writing boards, hence an alternate name, “Slate Urchin.” Reference John Hoover Hawai‘i Sea Creatures.
