Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa is a growing consortium of kiaʻi loko (fishpond guardians and caretakers) and stewardship organizations from loko iʻa (traditional Hawaiian fishponds) across Hawaiʻi. This network came into existence in 2004 as an opportunity for kiaʻi loko to empower each other and leverage their skills, knowledge, and resources related to loko iʻa restoration and management.
This 2020 gathering was convened and organized by the nonprofit Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, which has facilitated the network since 2013. We gathered on Oʻahu, and our loko iʻa host was Paepae o Heʻeia, the stewardship organization for Heʻeia fishpond, while our camp was hosted by Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi in the area of Hoi, just mauka (upland) of the fishpond. The gathering was especially unique this year as it included participants from other indigenous aquaculture and mariculture practices from communities in areas now known as Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, California, Aotearoa and Pohnpei. This opportunity was made possible through KUA’s participation in an Indigenous Aquaculture Hub.
This gathering report is meant to share our experiences and takeaways, and to record and tell the happenings and history of Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa.
...i mea e maopopo ai i keia hanauna; a ia hanauna aku ia hanauna aku...so that this generation and each subsequent generation will understand… S. M. Kamakau
Header photo by Brenda Asuncion. Background photo by Kim Moa
Day 1
As people arrived to Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, we witnessed the amazing elements of the season as water poured all over, around, and through our camp area. We were nourished by the amazing foods and talents of Kamoa’s Kitchen as we settled in together, before forming our first circle within the shelter of the tents to introduce the communities and places we all came from.
We spent the afternoon in small rotating workshops for people to share hands-on skills with each other and meet in more intimate groups. We learned to weave with cedar and wool, prepare oat and cedar bath salts, make sunscreen, mix ʻōlena-ade and tonics, make cordage, and most importantly, talk story and create connections.
Luka Kanakaʻole shared foundational context about kapu and kānāwai (sacredness and laws), then we heard reflections from several poʻo (heads, leaders) of various loko iʻa who participated in the discussions 2 months prior in November. These discussions followed the Honuaiākea process led by Huihui Kanahele Mossman, Kialoa Mossman, and Luka Kanakaʻole, which resulted in a first compilation of kapu and kānāwai for loko iʻa and kiaʻi loko. This was the first opportunity for other kiaʻi loko to hear about the kapu and kānāwai, and to share these ideas with people from other places and practices.
Day 2
The morning greeted us with incredible sunny skies, and Hiʻilei Kawelo shared the wahi pana (storied places) surrounding us that were now in clear view. We crossed the street, heading towards the ocean, to see Heʻeia fishpond for the first time together.
Background photo by Ginger Gohier
Before beginning the work, the various loko iʻa offered an oli (chant) composed by Hui Hoʻoleimaluō for the 2017 gathering. The oli invokes the flowing of water essential to the health and functioning of loko iʻa, names the loko iʻa and their physical lineage rooted in ʻāina, and activates our intention of coming together as a hui in support of our collective efforts. Every year there are additional loko iʻa that add their mana to this recitation, and this occasion was even more powerful with the presence of many other indigenous communities and their places.
To prepare the work project, kiaʻi of Heʻeia had cleared mangrove on both sides of a stretch of wall about 150 feet long. They had also moved additional pōhaku (stones) and koʻa (coral) for fill so it was ready for the work to begin.
As people worked in groups with alakaʻi (leaders) along the stretch of kuapā, another group walked into the pond to gather invasive limu (algae), both by hand and with nets and with a floating barge called the “super sucker”. This limu was brought to shore to mulch a planting area.
Background photo by Kim Moa
After lunch, we ventured mauka (upland) to Waipao to visit the community organization Papahana Kuaola.
Folks were free to walk to the kiʻowai (pool) Haʻakolea and several pūnāwai (spring) Kapuna and Kapunanui...
...all alongside Haʻikū stream that leads down past our campsite to the fishpond where we worked in the morning.
Background photo by Kēhaulani Kupihea
We also had a chance to see Heʻeia fishpond from another perspective, walking the kuapā (wall) from the point where the restoration first started nearly 20 years ago, with views into the valleys whose waters feed the fishpond.
This evening, we shared local oysters and fried fish before dinner. Roxy Keliʻikipikāneokolohaka shared a framework for kilo (keen observation) that kiaʻi can develop in their own places and communities. It begins with setting intention for kilo, emphasizing consistency and calibration over time, and leads to the ability to affirm and make predictions as kilo becomes more refined.
Day 3
Four groups hosted huakaʻi (journey with a purpose) across Oʻahu. The huakaʻi were to Loko Ea, Waikalua Loko, Pāhonu, and Puʻuloa including Paʻaiau and Kapapapuhi, and each featured unique activities to share about their work. Snacks and pre-jarred fish stew were distributed for the four huakaʻi. One of the first planning ideas for this day was to provision as much locally-sourced food as possible, so the fish stew jars were prepared weeks prior, featuring fish caught from Heʻeia fishpond and ʻulu (breadfruit) from across Oʻahu.
At Loko Ea in Kawailoa, participants helped to clear the ʻauwai (channel, canal) that connects this fishpond to the ocean. They were treated to lunch featuring dishes with fish provided by Loko Ea and prepared by staff at Mālama Loko Ea Foundation.
At Waikalua Loko in Kāneʻohe, participants assisted with a larger community effort to conduct a fish survey. Everyone worked together to move a net through the pond, then identify, weigh, and measure various species of fish. This activity was a relatively new but ongoing effort by the Pacific American Foundation to understand the species composition inside the fishpond.
At Pāhonu, participants spent another day improving their wall-building skills but in a completely different environment on a sandy shoreline exposed to more waves and water movement. Their work contributed to the grassroots restoration of this fishpond in Waimānalo, led by Ke Kula Nui o Waimānalo.
The Puʻuloa group first visited Paʻaiau where they met with community leaders to learn about the restoration progress and future plans for this fishpond which is one of fewer than 10 remaining in Puʻuloa (now commonly known as Pearl Harbor) which sheltered approximately 25 fishponds at one point. Afterwards, they moved to Kapapapuhi on the nearly opposite shoreline to learn about the ongoing mangrove removal around three different fishponds, as well as a native bird refuge site.
As we returned to the camp, various food prep started happening in different areas: folks started an open fire barbeque, cleaned and seasoned fish, and even harvested maiʻa (banana) leaves for arepa.
The second annual poʻo gathering in March 2019 was the origin of the idea to share mea ʻai (food) from our various loko iʻa and ʻāina as a tangible expression of our relationship to the places we mālama. Each year we strive to deepen our understanding of these beloved and sacred places and the multitude of ways they feed us. This year was particularly special because we ate ʻamaʻama (mullet) together; this is a prized fishpond species but not routinely eaten from fishponds anymore, so this moment was envisioned as a goal in 2018 and we were very proud to see it happen.
Day 4
On our last day together we re-visited the kapu and kānāwai that were shared on Day 1, and reflected on how we saw these elements manifest in the places and work that we experienced. Our last practice of sharing was in a closing circle to offer one word of what was on our heart and mind.
“Understanding the commonalities -- of people’s connections to land, water, animal, spiritual -- helped me strengthen and find confidence in my own.” -- 2020 gathering participant
Based on results from the evaluation survey completed by 2020 gathering participants, 95% of participants* said they learned information that they will apply in their work at home. Some examples of what participants said they learned include information about resource management, community engagement, and the inspiration and motivation of working together. (* who answered this particular question)
Importantly, we wanted to understand whether the gathering helped to engender a sense of community among participants. The chart below illustrates respondents’ level agreement with five statements about how they connected with other participants. Most respondents had a high level of agreement with the various statements, and no one disagreed with any of the statements.
One of the most commonly identified effective elements of the gathering was the time to work together in restoration.
"I enjoyed the opportunities for working alongside skilled practitioners to put lessons and theories into practice." -- 2020 gathering participant
"Working with our hands, conversations were fluid and came easier when we were at the loko iʻa." -- 2020 gathering participant
Mahalo nunui to the supporters who generously provided the means for Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa to gather this year:
Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Hawaiʻi Tourism, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Swayne Family Foundation, Sidney E. Frank Foundation, Koaniani Fund, and Kamehameha Schools. We are also grateful for the Pacific region Sea Grant offices for thought partnership in planning, and financial support to fund the gathering as well as travel for many of the participants from outside of Hawaiʻi.
The numbers shown below solely represent KUA’s contribution to the gathering. Importantly, this does not reflect the contributions of KUA personnel, gathering hosts and all the kiaʻi loko as volunteer participants in Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa, nor does this include travel from outside Hawaiʻi and additional lodging beyond the campsite.