The Awa (Chanos chanos), is known as the milkfish is native to Hawaii. Like the mullet and o'opu, the awa was one of the most important sources of food for the ancient Hawaiians. The native Hawaiian fishermen prized the succulent fatty flesh of the large awa fish that was present in large numbers in Kaelepulu Pond.

Sometimes the Awa gets captured and transfers from the fresh water to the brackish water. The Awa diet consists of algae, diatoms, and whatever else it can get from the bottom of their home. It is a spindle-shaped fish with silvery sides and a white belly. Its back is brown.