Affirming Foundations at the Ohalahala Fishpond

Photo by Kahale Naehu-Ramos.

“It’s like a combination of Tetris plus Jenga,” explained Hanohano Naehu, head kia’i loko, or fishpond guardian, for Hui O Kuapa.

Beset by storms, waves and currents, the walls of the ancient fishpond have come apart in the estimated 800 years since its construction. Now, the rocks are scattered across the shallow shores of Kumimi Beach and must be carefully stacked to rebuild the walls. On Saturday, Oct. 5, instructors from Hui O Kuapa led over 100 volunteers in restoration work and interactive workshops to help caretake the special space.

“We went all out,” explained Maile Naehu, director of Hui O Kuapa.

Although Hui O Kuapa received permission to work on the fishpond four years ago and has been holding monthly workshops, “we haven’t been able to get the numbers out there to get the restoration that we really want to do,” said Maile.

After receiving a grant from Kamehameha Schools, Hui O Kuapa was able to put together this larger project day at Ohalahala Fishpond, which included volunteers from Kauai, Maui, Oahu and, of course, Molokai.

“There’s a job for everybody,” said Maile. “Not everybody needs to carry heavy rocks.”

Volunteers helped gather and sort the three different kinds of rocks used in the pond wall, she explained.

“It’s kind of like an Easter egg hunt,” she said.

With restoration work comes a reexamining of related conditions and functions for the fishpond in a contemporary context.

Climate conditions, currents, seafloor topography and freshwater sources for the fishpond have changed tremendously since its original inception, explained Maile. In fact, there is no longer a freshwater source feeding the pond. Instead of brackish water, good for raising mullet and bonefish, the pond is all saltwater.

“We all collectively had a chance to talk story about what’s happening in our local pond and came up with creative ways to bring one ancient answer with slight adjustments into the modern,” said Hanohano.

Adjusting to these new conditions, Hui O Kuapa is working to foster what’s already growing at the site: coral.

“We noticed that we had coral abundantly growing in there,” said Maile. “If we nurture that very source everything else will benefit.”

While Ohalahala Fishpond sits on a popular local beach, the Naehus explained that the goal is to invite people into the space, not keep them out.

“It is never going to be an intention to keep people out,” said Hanohano. “In fact, the more people that go there, the more people that can malama the space…we want people to look and learn and observe.”

Hui O Kuapa plan on hosting three to four of these larger community workdays per year. Residents can check out more events and programs at their website at huiokuapa.org.