Kalepolepo Fishpond
Kalepolepo Fishpond, known by its older name Koʻieʻi.e. Loko Iʻa, is an ancient Hawaiian fishpond estimated to have been built between 1400 and 1500 AD.
Kalepolepo Fishpond | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places
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Panorama view of the Kalepolepo Fishpond seen from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary facility. | |
| Location | S. Kihei Rd., S of jct. with HI 31, Kalepolepo County Park, Kihei, Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 20°46′0″N 156°27′45″W |
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001503 |
| HRHP No. | 50-50-09-01288 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1996 |
| Designated HRHP | December 30, 1996 |
The fishpond is located in Kalepolepo Park in Kihei, Maui. In 1996, the ʻAoʻao O Na Loka Iʻa O Maui (Association of the Fishponds of Maui) began renovating Koʻieʻi.e., working closely with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Koʻieʻie ("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), amaʻama (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 Koʻieʻi.e. Fishpond and Kaʻonoʻulu Kai Fishpond.