Kalepolepo Fishpond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kalepolepo Fishpond
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Panorama view of the Kalepolepo Fishpond seen from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary facility.
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | S. Kihei Rd., S of jct. with HI 31, Kalepolepo County Park, Kihei, Hawaii |
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| NRHP reference No. | 96001503 |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1996 |
The Kalepolepo Fishpond, also known by its older Hawaiian name Koʻieʻie Loko Iʻa, is an amazing ancient Hawaiian fishpond. Experts believe it was built a very long time ago, between the years 1400 and 1500 AD. You can find this special place in Kalepolepo Park in Kīhei on the island of Maui. In 1996, a group called ʻAoʻao O Na Loka Iʻa O Maui (which means "Association of the Fishponds of Maui") started working to fix up Koʻieʻie. They worked closely with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
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What is a Hawaiian Fishpond?
Ancient Hawaiians were very smart engineers. They built special ponds called loko iʻa to raise fish. These ponds helped them have a steady supply of food. Koʻieʻie is a type of fishpond called a loko kuapa. This means it has strong walls made from lava rock and coral. These walls are called kuapa.
How Koʻieʻie Fishpond Works
The kuapa walls of Koʻieʻie Fishpond are designed to let ocean water flow in and out. This keeps the water inside the pond fresh and healthy for the fish. A special wooden gate, called a makaha, is part of the wall. This gate is very clever! It has small gaps that let tiny fish swim into the pond. Once the fish grow bigger, they can't fit through the gaps anymore, so they stay safely inside the pond. This way, the Hawaiians could easily catch the larger fish when they needed them.
Fish That Lived Here
Many different kinds of fish were raised in these ponds by the ancient Hawaiians. Some of the fish species that once lived in Koʻieʻie include:
- The awa, which is also known as milkfish (Chanos chanos).
- The amaʻama, also called flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus).
- The aholehole, or Hawaiian Flagtail (Kuhlia xenura).
Protecting This Special Place
The Kalepolepo Fishpond is a very important historical site. Because of its value, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This listing helps protect the fishpond for future generations. It is known by several names on the register, including Kalepolepo Fishpond, Koʻieʻie Fishpond, and Kaʻonoʻulu Kai Fishpond. Protecting places like Koʻieʻie helps us learn about the amazing history and culture of Hawaii.
