Discover Seven Ancient Fishponds And Other Coastal Gems In Hawaii's Kalahuipua'a Historic Park
By Megan Shute|Published September 27, 2019
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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 you will discover not one, but seven fishponds within the coastal Kalahuipua’a Historic Park.
Created by the Mauna Lani Resort & Hotels to preserve and enhance Hawaii’s cultural history found on its grounds, the Kalahuipua’a Historic Park is home to 27 acres of history, including several walking trails open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Within this unique park, you will discover seven historic fishponds covering a total of 15 acres of surface area: Kalahuipua’a, Kahinawao, Waipuhi, Waipuhi Iki, Hope’ala, Milokukahi, and Manoku.
These fishponds were created by ancient Hawaiians in order to raise fish and supplement their ocean fishing efforts. Rumor has it that the fish in these ponds were strictly for consumption by royalty and other persons of rank.
Along the park’s 1.7-mile trail along the coast and around the fishponds, you will come across countless remnants of the past, including petroglyphs, the remnants of an ancient fishing village, and a lava tube shelter.
It is said that for 250 years, this lava tube shelter was home to small groups of Hawaiians who worked, cooked, ate, and slept in the shelter. The spacious lava tube provided protection from the wind and rain, and the cave’s flat bottom and cross-ventilation provided by openings towards the rear of the lava tube made this an ideal spot to create a home.
This truly fascinating park will quickly transport you to the past and is worth a visit — where else can you get up close and personal with fishponds, lava tubes, petroglyphs, ruins, and other coastal gems?
So, what are you waiting for? This rugged, lava-rock landscape is unlike any other you've seen before. Both history buffs and nature enthusiasts will want to add this historic park to your Hawaii Island bucket list immediately.
Kalahuipua’a Historic Park is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Have you ever visited this historic destination before? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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