He'eia Fishpond. Photo courtesy Paepae o He'eia One of Paepae o He'eia's biggest projects was removing the mangrove growth from the He'eia Fishpond wall. Photo courtesy Paepae o He'eia

Fundraiser to support He'eia Fishpond work

Ka Wai Ola Loa staff

The 88-acre He'eia Fishpond in Ko'olaupoko, O'ahu is enjoying a new life, thanks to nearly two decades of efforts by dedicated volunteers to bring the fishpond back to productivity.

There were many obstacles, most obvious the obfuscation of its 1.3-mile wall by invasive mangrove. But since the 1990s, work has been steady to clear the mangrove, repair part of the wall damaged by a 1960s flood, and investigate options to reduce sediment in the pond. Today, schools and community volunteers come to care for the pond while learning about aquaculture and Hawaiian culture.

One of Paepae o He'eia's biggest projects was removing the mangrove growth from the He'eia Fishpond wall. Photo courtesy Paepae o He'eia

"We're not trying to restore the fishpond just to look at it," said Mehana Makainai of Paepae o He'eia. "Our goal is to turn it back into a working fishpond, as our kūpuna used it, to feed the community."

In the 1900s, there were over 60 fishponds in the Ko'olaupoko area of O'ahu. Today, there are only 6.

Paepae O He'eia was founded to formalize the organization caring for the 600-800 year old loko i'a. Their operations have largely been dependent upon the elbow grease of members and proceeds from selling limu and, of course, fish. But now, the group is holding their first large benefit this month. Ho'olako – A Taste of He'eia fundraiser is scheduled for May 16, 6 – 9:30 p.m. at the Waikīkī Aquarium.

He'eia Fishpond following removal of the mangrove growth from the fishpond wall. Photo courtesy Paepae o He'eia

Ho'olako – to supply – will have well-known chefs Mavrothalassitis of Chef Mavro Restaurant, David Cruz of Indigo Restaurant, Karen Miyano of Kahalu'u, Ed Kinney and David Caldiero of Town Restaurant, and Tammy Hoe Smith of Hakipu'u cooking up dishes with ingredients from He'eia Fishpond or its ahupua'a. Entertainment will be by Kūpaoa, Ernie Cruz, and Chad Paishon.

Individual tickets are $100, and tables of 10 are $1250. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductable, and all proceeds will go back into Paepae o He'eia's restoration and education programs. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (808) 236-6178, e-mail admin@paepaeoheeia.org, or visit paepaeoheeia.org.