Peaceful Scenery And History Collide At Hawaii's Huilua Fishpond

Long before Western contact, nearly 1,000 years ago, the people of Hawaii created a system by which to supply themselves with a constant source of fresh fish. Ancient Hawaiian fishponds were typically a flat, shallow area of reef protected by a low lava rock wall built offshore, which allowed water and small fish to enter the pond: the fish would then grow and become too large to exit the pond. Many fish thrived in the brackish water of these fishponds and would breed, providing a constant and easy food source for the people of Hawaii. This unique and advanced aquaculture is found nowhere else in the world. The islands were once full of fishponds that have long since deteriorated, but this historic fishpond is still intact — and just as picturesque as ever.

Nestled along Oahu’s windward coast in Kahana Bay, the Huilua Fishpond is one of the last remaining fishponds that were in operation well into the 20th century. It is thought that the fishpond started out as a sandbar where ocean currents met the mouth of the stream.

Though the exact date of Huilua’s construction is unknown, Hawaiians built many fishponds between 1200 and 1600. Now, hundreds of years later, Huilua is one of the six remaining fishponds of an estimated 97 ponds that were once found along the coast of Oahu.

Huilua features a 500-foot permeable rock seawall that enclosed approximately seven acres of brackish water, with a 4-foot wide wall that stood approximately 4 feet above high tide.

The wall featured two lashed-pole gates that allowed little fish in but kept bigger fish from escaping. The name Huilua — meaning “join twice” — might refer to these two gates. The brackish environment was perfect for raising fingerlings and mullet, two species that migrate between fresh and saltwater.

The fishpond was severely damaged by a tsunami in 1960, and shortly after, was declared a U.S. National Historical Monument and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1962.

Today, Huilua — located right next to Kahana Bay Beach Park — is a peaceful retreat with stunning scenery that serves as an ongoing tribute to innovation. You see, early Hawaiians were the first people to develop aquafarming in the Pacific.

Have you ever visited the Huilua Fishpond before? Did you remember to take your camera? If so, join our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group and share your shots of the fishpond — and anywhere else in Hawaii you love!

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Huilua Pond, Hawaii 96717, USA

Peaceful Scenery And History Collide At Hawaii's Huilua Fishpond

Megan Shute

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