Sharks of Hawaii

Learn surprising facts about the sharks that call the warm waters near Hawaii’s islands their home. Meet the Whitetip reef shark, Whale shark, Tiger shark and more.

A school of small mackerel called “Akule” gather in the tens of thousands to form a tight bait ball in order to protect themselves from predators, most notoriously the sharks of Hawaii. But sometimes increasing their profile only attracts more lethal attention.

Hawaii is home to the largest hard-shelled sea turtles in the world. It is also the only place in the world where males haul out alongside females when they lay their eggs, and no one knows why.

Off the island of Oahu lies an undersea prairie that is home to hundreds of Hawaiian garden eels. Shy creatures found only in Hawaiian waters, these eels only emerge from their burrow to eat zooplankton. They will spend their lifetime in the same spot, trying to avoid the eyes of roaming sharks.

As with any PBS NATURE film, the key to getting the shots is time spent out in the field. Fortunately, for the crew of "Sharks of Hawaii" that meant the tropical islands of Hawaii.