Bodies of Water Surrounding the Hawaiian Islands

An Archipelago in the North Pacific

The Hawaiian Islands are entirely surrounded by the North Pacific Ocean—there are no separate named seas, gulfs, or bays that border the chain as a whole. However, oceanographers and navigators recognize distinct regions within this vast expanse relative to the islands:

Regional Designations

• North: The open North Pacific, extending toward the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska
• South: The equatorial North Pacific, transitioning into the South Pacific near the Line Islands
• East: The Eastern Pacific, with the North American coast ~3,800 km (2,400 mi) distant
• West: The Western Pacific, leading toward the Mariana Islands, Japan, and the Philippine Sea

Named Features Within the Archipelago

While the external boundary is uniformly "North Pacific Ocean," internal waters have specific names:

• Channels: ʻAlenuihāhā (between Hawaiʻi and Maui), ʻAlalākeiki (Maui-Kahoʻolawe), Kealaikahiki (Kahoʻolawe-Lānaʻi), ʻAuʻau (Lānaʻi-Maui), Pailolo (Maui-Molokaʻi), Kalohi (Molokaʻi-Lānaʻi), Kaiwi (Molokaʻi-Oʻahu), Kaʻieʻie Waho (Oʻahu-Kauaʻi)
• Bays: Hilo Bay, Kāneʻohe Bay, Pearl Harbor, Waikīkī, Hanalei Bay
• Marine Protected Areas: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (northwestern islands)

Oceanographic Context

The islands sit in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, influenced by the North Equatorial Current (westward) and the Hawaiian Lee Countercurrent. This positioning creates the clear, warm, nutrient-poor waters characteristic of the region—supporting coral reefs but limiting pelagic productivity.