One consequence of lower diversity is that reef-building corals in Hawai'i are less specialized and thus more generalized in their distribution than species elsewhere. Furthermore, a relatively few number of corals dominant Hawaiian reefs. In response to variation in environmental conditions near the shoreline, coral reefs exhibit zonation where the abundance and composition of the coral community varies according to distance and depth from shore. The following is a summary of zonation patterns typical of Hawai'i. Common names are linked to descriptions in the Marine Life of Hawai'i section.
Corals are generally sparse here and dominated by cauliflower coral intermixed with boulders.
This area has numerous boring urchins in holes. Boring urchins, sea cucumbers , numerous snails and Christmas tree worms are common. Surgeonfishes dart in and out of the reef flat feeding on turf algae. Surgeonfishes, wrasses , damselfish , triggerfish and puffers are common. Finger coral is the most common species along with lobe coral.