Kalepolepo Fishpond
Encyclopedia
Kalepolepo Fishpond, known by its older name Koiei.e. Loko Ia, is an ancient Hawaiian fishpond estimated to have been built between 1400–1500 AD. The fishpond is located in Kalepolepo Park in Kīhei
on the island of Maui
. In 1996, the Aoao O Na Loka Ia O Maui (Association of the Fishponds of Maui) began renovating Koiei.e., working closely with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
.
Koiei.e. ("rapid current") is classified as a loko kuapa (walled pond), a type of fishpond that uses lava rock and coral walls (kuapa) to keep water circulating while a wooden sluice gate (makaha) allows small fish to enter the pond to feed, but prevents them from leaving after they grow too large to slip between the gate's gaps. Species of fish once farmed by ancient Hawaiians include the awa (milkfish
, Chanos chanos), amaama (flathead mullet
, Mugil cephalus), and the aholehole (Hawaiian Flagtail, Kuhlia xenura).
The fishpond was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1996, as Kalepolepo Fishpond with alternate names Koiei.e. Fishpond and Kaonoulu Kai Fishpond.
Kihei, Hawaii
Kīhei is a census-designated place in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 16,749 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kīhei is located at ....
on the island of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
. In 1996, the Aoao O Na Loka Ia O Maui (Association of the Fishponds of Maui) began renovating Koiei.e., working closely with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is one of the world's most important whale habitats, hosting thousands of humpbacks each winter.-Sanctuary:The sanctuary encompasses in the islands' waters...
.
Koiei.e. ("rapid current") is classified as a loko kuapa (walled pond), a type of fishpond that uses lava rock and coral walls (kuapa) to keep water circulating while a wooden sluice gate (makaha) allows small fish to enter the pond to feed, but prevents them from leaving after they grow too large to slip between the gate's gaps. Species of fish once farmed by ancient Hawaiians include the awa (milkfish
Milkfish
The milkfish is the sole living species in the family Chanidae. - Description and biology :...
, Chanos chanos), amaama (flathead mullet
Flathead mullet
The flathead mullet, Mugil cephalus, is a mullet of the genus Mugil, found in coastal tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Its length is typically 30 to 75 centimeters...
, Mugil cephalus), and the aholehole (Hawaiian Flagtail, Kuhlia xenura).
The fishpond was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1996, as Kalepolepo Fishpond with alternate names Koiei.e. Fishpond and Kaonoulu Kai Fishpond.