Ancient Hawaiian Fishponds: A Unique & Sustainable Way to Farm Fish

Ancient Hawaiians were masters of aquaculture, and they built a vast network of fishponds throughout the Hawaiian Islands. These fishponds, called loko i’a, were used to raise fish for food and trade. In fact, there were once over 500 fishponds spread throughout the islands providing communities with aqua-cultured seafood. They were also an important part of the Hawaiian culture and economy.

Fishponds were found in many areas and built in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all had one thing in common: they were designed to mimic the natural environment of the ocean. The walls of the fishponds were built to create a calm, protected environment for the fish, and the water was circulated by tides and currents.

Fishponds were an important part of the Hawaiian diet and were stocked with a variety of fish providing a sustainable source of food for the Hawaiian people. They were also an important part of the Hawaiian economy, and they were used to trade fish with other islands in the Pacific. With the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom, suppression of Hawaiian culture, and modern development most of the fishponds fell into disrepair or were lost completely.

Today there are about 40 fishponds in various stages of renovation across the state thanks to community-based initiatives to reclaim and restore some of the historical fishponds. Modern science and ancient practices & knowledge are being implemented to return the ponds into functional community resources. These projects are helping to steer Hawai’i in the right direction for the future by creating more local food sustainability, restoring eco-systems, and reconnecting communities with their roles as stewards of the land & sea.

Visit a Hawaiian Fishpond & Get Involved

The He’eia Fishpond is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient Hawaiian fishponds. It is located on the island of Oahu in the Windward town of Kaneohe, and is popular for both locals and tourists. The fishpond is managed by a dedicated non-profit organization, Paepae o He’eia. In addition to being open the the public the Paepae o He’eia organization holds regular family fishing days, volunteer work days, and educational programs with schools throughout Oahu. Visitors can learn about the history and culture of Hawaiian fishponds and take part in the restoration and maintenance of this valuable resource.

Here are some of the benefits of ancient Hawaiian fishponds:

• They are a sustainable way to raise fish.
• They provide a natural habitat for fish.
• They help to improve water quality.
• They create jobs and boost the economy.
• They are a part of Hawaiian culture and history.

If you are interested in learning more about ancient Hawaiian fishponds, we encourage you to visit the He’eia Fishpond on the island of Oahu. Visit Paepaeoheeia.org for more info.

by Honolulu Vibes