NIUMALU — A community workday to celebrate the transfer of the Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond to the community, hosted by nonprofits Malama Hule‘ia and Trust for Public Land, is scheduled for Saturday.
The first community workday since the pandemic limited gatherings will be open to the first 100 registrants, from 8 a.m. to noon on March 19. The deadline to register is Wednesday at malamahuleia.org.
The 102-acre property along the Hule‘ia River is the largest remaining fishpond on the island.
To honor the transition of the property’s ownership, Trust for Public Land and Malama Hule‘ia earlier held an ‘aha (cordage) ceremony, led by Peleke Flores, cultural practitioner and director of operations at Malama Hule‘ia.
During the event, the community partners harvested the traditional plant ahu‘awa from the loko i‘a (fishpond), processed it, and made cordage as an offering while sharing their vision for Alakoko’s future. Ahu‘awa is among the native species that thrive along the fishpond shores following the removal of invasive red mangrove.
“We received a tremendous outpouring of support for Alakoko Fishpond,” Malama Hule‘ia Executive Director Sara Bowen said. “We are thrilled to be able to continue our restoration work and look forward to collaborating with the community in this multi-generational effort to ensure Alakoko can once again feed the community physically, mentally and spiritually.”
Following the recent purchase, which protected the land from sale and development, the nonprofit organizations raised $196,000 from the local community to support the continued stewardship of Alakoko as an outdoor classroom where students can learn the science, history and culture of traditional Hawaiian aquaculture.
“The ability to steward Alakoko for generations to come is a testament to the community’s aloha and generosity,” said Reyna Ramolete Hayashi, Aloha ‘Aina project manager at Trust for Public Land. “The Kaua‘i community was steadfast in their commitment to protect Alakoko, and their vision and leadership is the reason we’re able to celebrate Alakoko’s return to community hands.”
The fishpond’s wall is 2,700 feet long, and its ecosystem supports native fish, limu, endangered Hawaiian waterbirds and coastal vegetation.
