They are silvery in colour with a silver and black reticulated pattern on the top of the head and the margin of the caudal fin is blackish.

[2] Kuhlia sandvicensis is common in Hawaii where the young are quite numerous along rocky shores, in tide pools, and in and around the mouths of streams which are connected to the sea.

The adults occur in caves in wave-swept coral reefs, in the surf zone at the base of cliffs and in wrecks.

The plain headed species was identified as the previously forgotten Kuhlia xenura, the type of which had been erroneously labelled as being from El Salvador.

[4] The current location of Kona International Airport, Keāhole Point, is named after this fish, because it was found in this area.