These 11 Historic Fishponds In Hawaii Are Perfectly Picturesque
By Megan Shute|Published March 15, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Nearly 1,000 years ago, before Western contact, the people of Hawaii created a system by which to supply themselves with a constant source of fresh fish. Ancient Hawaiian fishponds were typically a flat, shallow area of reef protected by a low lava rock wall built offshore, which allowed water and small fish to enter the pond: the fish would then grow and become too large to exit the pond. Many fish thrived in the brackish water of these fishponds and would breed, providing a constant and easy food source for the people of Hawaii. This unique and advanced aquaculture is found nowhere else in the world. The islands were once full of fishponds that have long since deteriorated, but these 11 historic fishponds are still intact – and still as picturesque as ever.
Found on Oahu's windward coast, and visible from nearby He'eia State Park, is this picturesque fishpond enclosing 88 acres of brackish water. Built 600 - 800 years ago, the wall of the fishpond forms a perfect circle and is the longest in Hawaii, measuring in at 1.3 miles.
Also known as Menehune Fishpond, Alekoko, located near Lihue on the island of Kauai is a historic Hawaiian fishpond that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is said that the Menehune – a mythical people who inhabited the islands before Hawaiians arrived – are responsible for the fishpond construction.
Located at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort, Kalahuipua’a Fishpond is an oasis within an oasis. Mauna Lani has stocked the fishpond, as well as planted a variety of ancient Hawaiian plants in an attempt to restore the ponds to their former glory.
The famous Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park was established in the 1960s, and was once the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement. The archaeological site is home to ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, house site platforms, and sites with religious significance - as well as the Kaloko and Aimakapa Fishponds.
One of the few fishponds in operation well into the 20th century, Huilua can be found on Oahu's windward coast and was once a sandbar where ocean currents met the mouth of the stream.
Found on the small Hawaiian Island of Molokai, the Hokukano-Ualapue Complex is perhaps one of the most archaeological and agricultural sites in Hawaii. It's also a pretty gorgeous sight to behold - especially from above.
Historically known as Kahouna Fishpond, Kahalu'u was used for aquaculture purposes through 1960, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Found within the Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park on Hawaii Island is this ancient fishpond, one of 12 documented fishponds found within the park.
The Moli’i fishpond - located on Oahu’s windward coast and overlooking Chinaman’s Hat - encompasses 125 acres and ranges in depth from 4 to 30 feet, making it one of the largest fishponds found throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Also found on the grounds of the Mauna Lani Bay Resort is the Waipuhi Fishpond, a picturesque slice of paradise. As a matter of fact, the resort is home to seven ancient fishponds, and is easily the best place in Hawaii to view this piece of Hawaiian history.
