Ancient Hawaiian aquaculture

The Hawaiian people practiced aquaculture through development of fish ponds (loko ia), the most advanced fish husbandry among the original peoples of the Pacific. While other cultures in places like Egypt and China also used the practice, Hawaii’s aquaculture was very advanced considering the much smaller size of the area compared to others before it. 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 Līhue, Kauai), 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 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 Keehi Lagoon, Pearl Harbor, Maunalua Bay (known as the largest on Oahu prior to it being filled for housing development), and Kāneohe Bay on Oahu, and along nearly the entire south shore of Molokai. Few remain today, although Molokai offers the best opportunities to view a Hawaiian loko. Three different styles of fish ponds are being reconstructed at the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. The non-profit Aoao O Na Loko Ia O Maui is restoring Kalepolepo Fishpond also known as Koiei.e. in Kīhei on Maui using a mixture of volunteers and skilled stonemasons.