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The beautiful Oli Kahea (chant announcing our arrival and requests permission to enter) is answered by an

Oli Komo (chant granting permission to enter and extends the welcome of the host). This is how our visit to historic Ali‘i Fishpond, under the auspices of Ka Honua Momona, begins.

Because no one in our visiting group of three is able to chant, Kauwila Hanchett, co-executive director of Ka Honua Momona, is appointed, and on our behalf, she respectfully requests permission to enter. Her request is answered by Noelani Yamashita, also co-executive director of Ka Honua Momona. Light and lyrical, yet with intent, the Oli Kahea and Komo start our visit on the right path. This is the Hawaiian cultural protocol Ka Honua Momona observes at Ali‘i Fishpond, and I feel as if we’ve been warmly embraced within the light of a warm sun.

“On a deeper level, the oli kahea and komo allow us to connect with the intangible and acknowledge na hanauna, the generations past, present and yet to come,” explains Kauwila. “It recognizes that each of us bring people and places that are special to us, as well as the culture and values we were raised with and/or embrace. Also, I stood on your side and did the oli komo written for our area that speaks of

many of the significant places found mauka a makai (from the mountains out to the sea). As you were visiting us to help tell our story, you were greeted as our own.”

Ka Honua Momona (KHM), a grassroots, nonprofit organization based on Moloka‘i, has taken upon itself the task of becoming a model of sustainability mauka a makai, with the belief that Moloka‘i can return to its former state of abundance. In its donor letter, KHM explains the island was once known as the bread basket of the Hawaiian Islands, largely based on its many traditional loko i‘a, or fishponds, which at one point numbered up to 70 that lined the southern shore.

KHM offers a range of programs engaging participants of all ages in ‘aina (land)-based, hands-on activities ranging from its Nuakea breastfeeding program to fishpond restoration to a climate change initiative. The programs revolve around five core principles—culture, environment, social, education and health—what KHM calls the “Theory of Change.” How does this work?

“…We are working on ancient fishponds (Ali‘i and Kaloko‘eli fishponds) constructed more than 600 years ago with stones that were

K A H O N U A M O M O N AA Light for the Community & its People

carried along a human chain from Moloka‘i’s north shore,” explains Kauwila. “In this way the fishponds themselves provide us with a very tangible connection to generations past. When we rebuild the kuapa (wall of a fishpond), we are carrying the same stones transported all those miles by our kupuna (elders); this is quite simply a profound feeling that cannot be expressed with words. Working together with others toward a common goal to make something better for current and future generations builds confidence and community.”

“The Moloka‘i community has identified fishpond restoration as an important goal in numerous community plans,” continues Kauwila. “I think everyone who lives here would like to see our natural resources flourishing, our keiki (children) happy, healthy and grounded in Hawaiian culture and Moloka‘i’s own history and lifestyle; our ‘ohana thriving; and our community strong and united.”

We make our way toward the fishpond as Noelani impresses upon us the amount of work—nearly 1,000 hours with adults, a chainsaw and a chipper—it took to clear the mangrove out from an area of land roughly two-tenths the size of a football field. At the makaha (fishpond gate), Noelani shares, “This is the place that the kupuna indicate are the eyes and breath of the pond,” as we see the waves gently moving through the gate. “You can see the fish gathering, so when the tide comes in, the fish want to go out, and when the tide goes out, the fish want to come in.”

She continues, “There are fishponds all over the world, but this type of fishpond, by the Loko Kuapa, is endemic to Hawai‘i. It’s a rock wall that extends in a horseshoe shape to the other side around a freshwater source, (which) in our case is a punawai, a freshwater spring.” Noelani explains the muliwai is the area where the freshwater and seawater mix, creating brackish water that contains many nutrients.

by Sarah Yamanaka

The Moloka‘i community has identified fishpond restoration as an important goal in numerous community plans...”Kauwila Hanchett

pictured left to right: Josh Pestana, Lyndon Dela Cruz, Janis Dela Cruz, Kauwila Hanchett, Marvin Dudoit Sr. and Noelani Yamashita

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9 a.m.-noon on the third Saturday of each month. Meet at Ali‘i Fishpond ready to get muddy! Potluck lunch to follow.

• January 16• February 20• March 19• April 16• May 21• June 18

“...it creates a really nutrient-rich estuary where fish come in and get fat, and they can’t get out because they’re too fat,” adds Kauwila.

Being true to traditional fishpond practice is also important to the organization. When asked about the yield of the fishpond, Noelani explains they aren’t really sure. “We...made a choice to use our fishponds in the traditional way. In pens we could actually do counts, but if we did fish counts, every time you touch them, the scales and some of the slime comes off; that’s what’s protecting them from bacteria. We see them

jumping, and we know they’re spawning, and when we go to harvest they’re always there. Our fishponds are less about the production and more about the education and stewardship.”

In regard to stewardship, the fishpond restoration project is open to all ages, providing a vital opportunity for young ones to work with their hands, get dirty, learn how to care for and maintain our resources, as well as learn the importance of teamwork, discipline and responsibility. Noelani emphasizes the point isn’t to have the work done quickly; the point is to teach visitors, especially the keiki, how much care it takes to nurture the ‘aina—and to make sure it leaves a lasting impression on them.

Fish are on the rise in Ali‘i and Kaloko‘eli fishponds. KHM maintains both, each measuring about 30 acres. Hard work to clear mangrove, invasive pickleweed and gorilla ogo (seaweed) over the last 11 years has brought about positive changes at each site—native ‘akulikuli is returning, as well as the kıpukai; mullet are growing strong; and native birds are frequenting the area.

One of the joys of being able to maintain a fishpond, is the opportunity to enjoy its bounty. After five years of work at Kaloko‘eli Fishpond, KHM held a native harvest for the community.

“We had four people and we laid a net in the water…we came and pa‘e pa‘e, we smacked the water heading towards the net, pulled the net in, and in 20 minutes we had 21 big, fat mullet,” says Noelani with a bright smile. “We fed our kupuna at our first-ever cookout. We also had Samoan crab, and watched the kupuna slurp all the juice out of the crab shell. They were so awesome, sharing all these amazing stories about Moloka‘i and its fishponds.”

Noelani and Kauweli, along with the KHM staff, view the fishponds and the way we care for the environment as a reflection of how we care for our communities. In addition, maintaining the fishponds is an opportunity for all to come together to learn what to do and how to do it as it inherently creates a positive change within each person.

“The (visitors) we’ve had for a longer period of time, we’ve seen massive transformation,” states Noelani. “And the ones who come for a day have a life-changing experience.”

‘akulikuli is an indigenous, low lying ground plant with succulent green leaves, red stems and purple-pink flowers. This native Hawaiian plant is making a comeback in areas cleared of mangroves. It tolerates drought, wind and salt, and grows best under lots of sun. Picking off a few leaves, Noelani invites us to chew—salty!

Community Workdays2016

• July 16• August 20• September 17• October 15• November 19• December 17

...We need to connect food to our fishponds. We don’t just care for these places because they’re relics; we’re actually using them today to raise fish.”

Noelani Yamashita

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