Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond saved; Chan, Zuckerberg make $4 million donation

NIUMALU — The 102-acre Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond has successfully been purchased by nonprofits The Trust for Public Land and Malama Hule‘ia for cultural and environmental stewardship in perpetuity.

This was made possible with the support of a $4 million charitable gift from the Chan Zuckerberg Kaua‘i Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

The Trust for Public Land negotiated the deal with the landowners and led fundraising efforts. Following the purchase, the land has been conveyed to Malama Hule‘ia for continued cultural and community stewardship. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg do not have any ownership interest in the property.

With community involvement, Malama Hule‘ia has acted as a steward of the land since 2018, clearing over 26 acres of invasive mangrove to restore the 600-year-old watershed while under a 20-year lease agreement of the land also known as the ‘Alekoko Fishpond.

“It has been such a pleasure to partner with our community and The Trust for Public Land as we worked together to purchase and protect Alakoko for future generations,” Malama Hule‘ia Executive Director Sara Bowen said. “Because of this amazing support, Malama Hule‘ia will be able to continue to restore the fishpond, surrounding wetlands, and wildlife habitat.”

Alakoko, Bowen said, will continue as an outdoor learning space for students to learn the science of native ecosystems, Hawaiian culture and traditional fishponds.

This Native Hawaiian fishpond system is adjacent to the Hule‘ia National Wildlife Refuge and a model loko kuapa, supporting native fish, limu, endangered water birds and vegetation.

“To get to this point is truly a testament to the power of ‘aina to bring community together, united in their aloha to protect Alakoko,” The Trust for Public Land Aloha ‘Aina Project Manager Reyna Ramolete Hayashi. “The Kaua‘i community stewarded this vision for many years fueled by hard work and faith. They are the reason we are here today celebrating community ownership of the fishpond through Malama Hule‘ia.”

Since fall 2020, The Trust for Public Land had been meeting with elected officials at the county, state and federal levels to secure funding for the site. However, when the property went online for sale in early 2021 for $3 million, community efforts ramped up.

More than 5,500 people signed online statements of support and many submitted written testimony to the county’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission, requesting the commission and county make a move to purchase the land with special funds. If the county went down this route, the Open Space reserve would have been nearly depleted.

“Because the Alakoko acquisition was fully funded through this private donation, our County Open Space Commission and County Council have the ability to fund the protection of so many other incredible wahi kupuna (ancestral places) on Kaua‘i,” Kaua‘i County Council Vice Chair and Malama Hule‘ia volunteer Mason Chock said.

Peleke Flores, cultural practitioner and Director of Operations of Malama Hule‘ia, thanked the Rego ‘ohana, who helped the nonprofit to restore the system.

“We are honored to be able to continue that tradition and looking forward to one day have Alakoko feeding our community again mentally, physically, and spiritually while extending the Ha (breath of life) of this place for the next 800 years along with the future generations to come,” Flores said.

Other community organizations that have supported the campaign include the Kosasa Foundation with $20,000; Alexander &Baldwin with $5,000; Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative with $2,000; and the Lawai Cannery Row LLC with $1,000.

“Kaua‘i means so much to our family and we’re humbled to be a part of efforts to protect and preserve Alakoko Fishpond,” Chan said. “We’re happy that Alakoko will continue to be a place for education, community gathering, environmental restoration, and cherished cultural traditions.”

More information can be found at restorethefishpond.org.