Shoreward advection of phytoplankton and vertical re-distribution of zooplankton by episodic near-bottom water pulses on an insular shelf: Oahu, Hawaii

► Cold pulses of bottom water off leeward Oahu, Hawaii were regular occurrences. ► Water within cold pulses had increased phytoplankton and nutrient concentrations. ► Zooplankton aggregated at the boundary between the cold pulse and overlying water. ► Similar biological responses to cold pulses are likely throughout the NPSG (North Pacific Subtropical Gyre).