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Reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) were found around Oahu using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, revealing seasonal patterns with higher occupancy in summer and early fall, and none detected from late fall to early winter. The most detections occurred off the East shore, especially in Kane‘ohe Bay, with fewer sightings on the West and North shores, and no detections in the South, suggesting a potential aversion to high human activity areas. The study's novel eDNA sampling approach using plankton tows, which sampled a much larger volume of seawater, showed no significant difference in plankton assemblage related to manta presence, indicating mantas likely feed on offshore mesopelagic prey.