Volcanic activity has not only changed the topography of the place but also its flora and fauna. Of 2,200 species and subspecies of flora, more than half are endangered, threatened, or extinct. As of August 2003, 273 plant species were listed as endangered or threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The only land mammal native to the islands is the Hawaiian hoary bat which is also now endangered. There are no indigenous snakes. The endangered humpback whale migrates to Hawaiian waters in winter. Among the 44 animal species listed as endangered or threatened as of August 2003 were four species of sea turtle and humpback whale. Several varieties of honeycreeper, short-tailed albatross, Hawaiian coot, and the Hawaiian goose (nene) are also considered endangered.