The Hawaiian people practiced aquaculture through development of fish ponds (Hawaiian: loko i?a), the most advanced fish husbandry among the original peoples of the Pacific. These fishponds were typically shallow areas of a reef flat surrounded by a low lava rock wall (loko kuapa) built out from the shore. Several species of edible fish (such as mullet) thrive in such ponds, and Hawaiians developed methods to make them easy to catch.
The Hawaiian fishpond was primarily a grazing area in which the fishpond keeper cultivated algae; much in the way a cattle rancher cultivates grass for his cattle. The porous lava walls let in seawater (or sometimes fresh or brackish water, as in the case of the "Menehune" fishpond near L?hu?e, Kaua?i), but prevent the fish from escaping. Fishponds were located next to the mouth of a stream, so by opening a sluice gate the pondkeeper provided the fish with water rich in nutrients that had passed through inland, terraced pondfields and returned to the stream. At the time of Captain James Cook's arrival, there were at least 360 fishponds producing 2,000,000 pounds (900,000 kg) of fish per year.
Several fishponds have been restored in recent years. Although fishponds were developed on most islands, the largest number were found in Ke?ehi Lagoon, Pearl Harbor, and K?ne?ohe Bay on O?ahu, and along nearly the entire south shore of Moloka?i. Few remain today, although Moloka?i offers the best opportunities to view a Hawaiian loko.
Three different styles of fish ponds are being reconstructed at the Kaloko-Honok?hau National Historical Park on the Big Island of Hawai?i. The non-profit ?Ao?ao O Na Loko I?a O Maui is restoring Kalepolepo Fishpond also known as Ko?ie?i.e. in K?hei using a mixture of volunteers and skilled stonemasons.
Video Ancient Hawaiian aquaculture
See also
- Fish farming
- He?eia, Hawaii
- Stew pond
Maps Ancient Hawaiian aquaculture
Notes
References
- Farber, Joseph M (1997) Ancient Hawaiian fishponds: can restoration succeed on Moloka?i? Cornell University. ISBN 978-0-9659782-0-0.
- Kamakau, Samuel M. (1992), The Works of the People of Old, Honolulu, HI: Bishop Museum Press, ISBN 0-910240-18-3 .
- James, Van (2001), Ancient Sites of Maui, Molokai'i and Lana'i, Honolulu, HI: Mutual Publishing, pp. 73-76, ISBN 1-56647-529-5 .
- Losch, Tracie Ku?uipo; Kamahele, Momi, eds. (2008), Hawai?i: Center of the Pacific, University of Hawai?i Leeward Community College: XanEdu Custom Publishing, pp. 234-235, ISBN 1-58152-579-6 .
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