There's An Ancient Fishpond Hiding In Hawaii And You'll Want To Visit

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. While many of these ancient Hawaiian fishponds have long since deteriorated, there is one fishpond found on Oahu that not only is still in use, but is one of the largest ever created in the islands. This is the Moli’i Fishpond, and it is a piece of living history you’ll definitely want to visit.

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While you can see both fishponds in this photograph, we will focus on the Moli’i fishpond, as the ‘Apua fishpond fell into disuse at the turn of the 20th century, and is much smaller.

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The larger of the two fishponds, the Moli’i fishpond encompasses 125 acres and ranges in depth from 4 to 30 feet, making it one of the largest fishponds found throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

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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.

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Said to be between 600 and 960 years old, the Moli’i fishpond is believed to have been built by the legendary Hawaiian Menehune, a small dwarf-like species with the ability and strength to accomplish great feats of construction and engineering – in a matter of hours.

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The impressive fishpond is one of only a few early royal fishponds that remain operational; Moi (threadfish), ‘ama’ama (mullet), and awa (milkfish) are raised in the Moli’i fishpond.

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The land containing the fishpond was purchased by Dr. Gerritt P. Judd in 1850 from King Kamehameha III himself; today, the land is owned by Judd’s descendants, and is managed as Kualoa Ranch, one of Oahu’s most popular attractions for ziplining, ATV and horseback riding tours.

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Kualoa Ranch also offers a guided tour of the Moli’i Fishpond and Garden, as well as an ocean voyaging tour that ferries visitors across the fishpond to Secret Island (the seaward side of the fishpond).

Have you visited the Moli’i fishpond on Oahu? I’ve got to admit, it is a pretty incredible place, and so fascinating to learn about. If you’re interested in ancient Hawaii and local mythology, be sure to check out the extraordinary legend of the Hawaiian Menehune.