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.
- He’eia Fishpond
Owen and Aki/Flickr 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.
- Alekoko Fishpond
Eric Tessmer/Flickr 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.
- Kalahuipua’a Fishpond
Rosa Say/Flickr 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.
- Aimakapa Fishpond
Rosa Say/Flickr 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.
- Huilua Fishpond
Joel Bradshaw/Public Domain, Wikipedia 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.
- Ualapue Fishpond
Maui 24/7 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.
- Loko Lopa Fishpond
pmm3/Flickr The site of a former seaside village on the southeastern shore of Lanai, the Loko Lopa Fishpond is now surrounded by a Hawaiian seabird sanctuary.
- Kahalu’u Fishpond
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr 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.
- Heleipalala Fishpond
Ronald Woan/Flickr 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.
- Moli’i Fishpond
Kualoa Ranch/Facebook 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.
- Waipuhi Fishpond
Rosa Say/Flickr 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.
The history of our beautiful Hawaiian Islands certainly is fascinating. If you liked this post, we think you’ll enjoy reading “14 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The History Of Hawaii.”
Owen and Aki/Flickr
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.
Eric Tessmer/Flickr
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.
Rosa Say/Flickr
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.
Joel Bradshaw/Public Domain, Wikipedia
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.
Maui 24/7
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.
pmm3/Flickr
The site of a former seaside village on the southeastern shore of Lanai, the Loko Lopa Fishpond is now surrounded by a Hawaiian seabird sanctuary.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
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.
Ronald Woan/Flickr
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.
Kualoa Ranch/Facebook
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.
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