Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 7, 1 July 1991 — Hui seeks fishpond restoration [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hui seeks fishpond restoration

by Deborah L. Ward Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA In the middle of Kane'ohe Bay, O'ahu lies Coconut Island, privateiy owned except for shore areas claimed by the state and including the Hawai'i Institute of Manne Biology of the University of Hawai'i. The bay is the largest enclosed body of water in the Hawaiian islands and Coconut Island claims a privileged location in the south bay, accessible only by boat. The island is host to scientific laboratories of HIMB and is also the site of a community demonstration project, 'whieh, with HIMBdirector Jack Helfrich's permission, is seeking to restore knowledge of raising fish in Hawaiian fishponds. The group, Grace Fisheries Loko Maika'i, ine., is a Hawai'i non-profit corporation founded in June 1990 by community church leaders and others including fishermen and a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee. Their purpose is to educate Hawai'i youth about conservation and management of oeean resources in a hands-on project that incorporates raising of fish, limu and crustaceans, and working with both kupuna knowledgeable about Hawaiian fishponds and with marine scientists. Current projects at Coconut Island include raising juvenile mullet with stock provided by Oeeanie lnstitute in nursery ponds. Students from loeal high school marine science classes have eome out to study specimens of marine plant and animal life in display pens. Tom Rosser, a Young Brothers tugboat operator, former commercial fisherman and an active member of Grace Fisheries Loko Maika'i, says the fishpond hui has a number of short-range and long-range goals it is pursuing in order to revitalize Hawaiian fishponds in Hawai'i. One goal is to continue strenthening its projects at the Coconut Island fishponds by increasing its

pool of active volunteers year-round. The group plans to begin stocking and raising mahimahi in a large pond known as the "bayou," but first needs the commitment of a steady group of volunteers who will feed the fish twice daily. Other species that ean be raised in the five ponds and one pen at the island include weke, nehu, iao, ulua and lobster, Rosser says. With over a year of experience, the group has also made a proposal to Pacific Atlas; owner of the Bayview Golf Course and adjacent Waikalua fish pond (next to the present Kane'ohe sewage treatment plant). Grace Fisheries is seeking to manage Waikalua fishpond as an eeonomie venture and community cultural center. They propose to restore the pond by strenthening weak sections of the wall and makaha (oeean gate), replace the fish gates, trim the mangroves and correct the siltation problem. They also want to restock the pond with awa and mullet (removing the existing barracuda first, of course), beautify the area, plant limu ogo, stock oysters, clams and Samoan crabs. The hui believes this plan is economically feasible and ean be self-supporting, and that it also provides the opportunity for the community to work, play, fish, eat, learn and enjoy. Rosser points out there are few opportunities in Kane'ohe town for youth to gain access to the bay, and to leam to appreciate marine life. Grace Fisheries Loko Maika'i is also seeking to become active in working with other island fishpond hui to develop a strong statewide network. Rosser says this will be the key to gaining support from government agencies, private landowners, commercial aquaculture firms, oeean scientists, communities and the public. This spring different fishpond hui, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs offered testimony supporting a handful of bills introduced to restore Hawaiian fishponds. However, none of the bills passed. The Hawaiian islands onee boasted fishponds on every island. Many were filled in for houses or converted to marinasafter years of neglect. Today there are only a remnant few left in production. Most stand neglected and unused. On Kaua'i there are still ponds at Waimea, Wailua, Hanalei and the famous Menehune Fish Pond. On Lana'i there are the Manele and Keomuku ponds. Maui has ponds at Hana, Kahului, Napili, Makena. Hawai'i has ponds at Hilo, Kohala, Kona and Puna. Moloka'i has a restored pond at 'Ualapue, and other ponds remain at Halawa, Kalaupapa, Hale-O-Lono and Pelekunu. On O'ahu there are ponds at Kahuku, Wai'anae, Ewa and Kane'ohe. At Kane'ohe Bay, Rosser says there are seven existing ponds: Koholalele, Moli'i, Kahalu'u,

Kanohuluiwi, Waikalua, He'eia, Fong, Waikapoki, and Nu'upia (at the Kane'ohe Marine Corps Air Station). Yet community groups on most islands, some connected with Hawaiian subsistence group activities, are seeking ways to restore these ponds to active production. Restoration of Hawaiian fish ponds today means not only raising food but raising consciousness as well, of Hawaiian ways and community ties.

Tom Rosser feeds fish in the "bavou."

Long view of the "bayou" pens.

Floating docks at "Big Pond."

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