The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, also known as the NWHI, is a string of small islands and atolls located in the remote northwestern region of the Hawaiian archipelago. Spanning over 1,200 miles in length, this chain of islands is located to the northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands.
These islands are characterized by their volcanic origins, formed by ancient eruptions from undersea volcanoes. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are made up of numerous small islands and atolls, including Midway Atoll, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Kure Atoll, and many more.
This region is renowned for its unique and fragile ecosystem, with an abundance of diverse marine life, including coral reefs, various species of fish, sea turtles, and endangered marine mammals like monk seals and green sea turtles. It also serves as an important breeding ground for various seabirds, including the Laysan albatross and the black-footed albatross.
Due to its remote location and delicate ecological significance, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands have been designated as a United States National Monument and are under the protection of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world.
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands hold great cultural and scientific value, preserving the natural heritage of the Hawaiian Islands and providing crucial insights into marine biodiversity, climate change, and the geologic history of the Pacific Ocean.
