Ancient Hawaiian aquaculture

The Hawaiian people practiced aquaculture through development of fishponds (Hawaiian: loko iʻa), the most advanced husbandry of fishes among the original peoples of the Pacific. These fishponds were typically shallow areas of a reef flat surrounded by a low rock wall (loko kuapa) built out from the shore. Several species of edible fishes (such as mullet) thrive in such ponds, and methods were developed to make them easy to catch. The rock walls, being somewhat porous, let in seawater (or sometimes fresh or brackish water, as in the case of the "Menehune" fishpond near Līhuʻe, Kaua'i), but prevent the fish from escaping.

Several fishponds have been restored in recent years. Although fishponds were developed on most of the islands, the largest concentrations were found in Ke'ehi Lagoon, Pearl Harbor, and Kāne'ohe Bay on O'ahu, and along nearly the entire south shore of the Island of Moloka'i. Few of these structures remain today, although Moloka'i offers the best opportunities to view a Hawaiian loko.

See also