Huilua Fishpond facts for kids
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Huilua Fishpond
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Rock walls of Huilua Fishpond
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Nearest city | Kaneohe, Oʻahu, Hawaii |
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| NRHP reference No. | 66000295 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
Huilua Fishpond, located in Ahupuaʻa O Kahana State Park on windward Oʻahu, is a very old and special place. It is one of the few ancient Hawaiian fishponds that were still used for fishing well into the 1900s. In 1962, it was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical site in the United States. This happened shortly after a big tsunami in 1960 caused some damage. The fishpond was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 29, 1962.
Contents
How Huilua Fishpond Was Built
Huilua Fishpond might have begun as a natural sandbar. This is a raised area of sand where ocean currents meet a stream. To make it a proper fishpond, Hawaiians added a long rock wall. This wall is called a kuapā in Hawaiian. It was about 500 feet (152 meters) long and built along the shoreline.
The kuapā helped to enclose about 7 acres (2.8 hectares) of water. This water was brackish water, meaning it was a mix of fresh and salt water. The wall was about 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide and stood about 4 feet (1.2 meters) above high tide.
Clever Gates for Fish
The wall had two special gates called mākāhā. These gates were made of lashed poles. They were designed to let small fish swim into the pond. But once the fish grew bigger, the gates kept them from escaping back into the ocean. The name Huilua means 'join-twice'. This might refer to these two gates.
The favorite type of fish raised in the pond was ʻamaʻama. These are a kind of mullet. They reproduce in the ocean but can live in fresh, brackish, or salty water. This made them perfect for the fishpond.
Caring for the Fishpond
Many Hawaiian fishponds were built a long time ago, about 400 to 600 years ago. They were very common in places with shallow sea, like Kāneʻohe Bay and Pearl Harbor. Each fishpond had a special person who looked after it. This person was called a kiaʻi loko, or pondkeeper. The pondkeeper lived nearby and made sure the pond was well-maintained.
Sam Pua Haʻaheo was the pondkeeper for Huilua Fishpond for many years. He started in 1924, right after a tsunami in 1923. He continued caring for the pond until 1946. That year, another tsunami hit the area.
Challenges and Restoration
Huilua Fishpond has faced challenges over the years. It was damaged by tsunamis several times. Besides the 1946 tsunami, it also suffered damage in 1957 and 1960.
Despite the damage, people have worked hard to restore this important historical site. The most recent restoration work began in 1993. This was a team effort between the State Park service and a group called Friends of Kahana. This organization is made up of local residents who care about their community. Their work helps to preserve Huilua Fishpond for future generations.
Gallery
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View across Kahana Bay
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View toward Kahana Valley
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Sandbar, mudflats, and mangroves at seaward end
