This species is not as adept a climber as are many other Hawaiian gobies and thus is not found in the upper reaches of streams.

Invasive alien fish such as mosquito fish and game species threaten the populations of S. hawaiiensis by bringing new diseases and parasites and by predating on their eggs and fry.

[3] They may also be threatened by alteration of their habitat by humans such as abstraction, pollution and damming but not to as great an extent as these factors affect other native Hawaiian freshwater fish, there is also some fishing for this species.

[4] This species displays sexual dimorphism and undertakes elaborate courtship behaviours.

[4] The female Stenogobius hawaiiensis lays 6000-8000 eggs, which the male guards until they hatch, after which the larvae drift down to the sea in the current.