Hiding In Plain Sight: Kekahi Loko I‘a ma Pu‘uloa

Abstract

The physical characteristics of Puʻuloa, the surrounding land areas, and the water resources available provided the ideal habitat and resources for the construction of fishponds and fish traps by the native Hawaiian peoples, who strive to utilize the natural environment around them to its full potential. In the entire island chain, no moku, or centralized water area contained more fishponds and fishtraps than Puʻuloa. This fact is little known today as both the physical presence and historical knowledge of many of these fishponds and fish traps have been destroyed and forgotten. To ensure the future and perpetuity of the remaining fishponds, as well as the traditional knowledge, history, and cultural connection of the Hawaiian people to Puʻuloa, it is necessary to renew interest in the current and previous existence of those fishponds. By looking at the history of Puʻuloa and ʻEwa through a traditional lens, addressing the history of Loko Paʻaiau, and taking a closer look at the history of the sugar industry and reciprocity, as well as the effects of militarization on Puʻuloa’s fishponds, I hope to put forth a narrative that will rekindle interest and encourage discussion in Puʻuloa and ʻEwa, and the fishponds located there.