Holoholo: Help care for an ancient Hawaiian fishpond in Kaneohe

KANEOHE (HawaiiNewsNow) – A unique Hawaiian fishpond in Kaneohe that was built about 800 years ago continues to be cared for by one local nonprofit, Paepae o Heʻeia.

Hiʻilei Kawelo is one of its founders and said they’ve been working restore Heʻeia Fishpond, educate the public and raise fish, like mullet, since 2001.

“This pond is big. It’s 88 acres. The wall, which is man-made, which is what our ancestors built, goes completely around in a full circle for 1.3 miles and the wall’s construction is primarily made of basalt, lava rock and coral from Kaneohe Bay,” said Kawelo.

The executive director said according to historical estimates, the fishpond was able to feed a population of about 6,000 people.

And along the fishpond wall, there are seven gates.

“That’s what allows for water circulation both from our stream and from the ocean,” said Kawelo. “It also is the way by which we’re able to stalk and recruit fish into our fishpond, and also the way that our ancestors harvested this.”

Keahi Piʻiohia has been working for the nonprofit for 14 years and says the pond gives him hope.

“This place is what feeds people, not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally,” said Piʻiohia. “We need to do as much as we can to give back to this place, because if we’re not going to do it, then there won’t be a place to give back for the next generation.”

Paepae o Heʻeia hosts community workdays on the second and fourth Saturdays. People are also able to come out and volunteer during the week.

If you do volunteer work, you could be removing invasive species like upside-down jellyfish.

“If jellyfish removal can be a way for people to connect to this place and find more aloha for the ʻāina we live on, you know, it’s a win win,” said Piʻiohia.

“When they come to the fishpond when they visit, it’s not everything… you’re going to read in a book or find on your phone,” said Kawelo. “You’ve got to get out here, get active, get engaged, put in the hard work, and that’s how the learning will come.”

On Saturday, May 10, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the nonprofit will be having a jellyfish removal day.

RSVP by sending an email to admin@paepaeoheeia.org.

In our Holoholo series, Jolanie Martinez takes us across the islands to find hidden gems, fun places, and interesting people. Do you have a hidden gem or story in your town? Let us know about it at holoholo@hawaiinewsnow.com.

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