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Pacific Islanders have always had to view their island as a limited resource. Sur- 

 vival of the population depended on their ability to manage those resources. We are 

 facing a time when the Earth is indicating depleted and limited resources, some- 

 thing unheard of 100 years ago. We feel, as native people, that we may have much 

 to contribute in these important areas today. 



My personal interest and professional involvement has led me to the area of loko 

 i'a, traditional Hawaiian Fishponds unique in the world. While other native peoples 

 may have practiced a form of aquaculture, Hawaii provided a uniquely sophisticated 

 version, different from anyplace else in America and the Pacific. Although not an 

 open ocean fishery resource, it played an important part in the well being of the 

 fishery and its nearshore environment. Traditional Hawaiian Fishpond systems and 

 its associated activities have been my passion for almost 20 years, [see Hawaiian 

 Fishpond Revitalization Project and the Oceanic Institute. Hawaiian Fishpond Revi- 

 talization, A Manual. 1993.J 



Loko i'a were ecologically balanced environments that were utilized for the cul- 

 tivation and production of fish, shellfish and sea plants. This was accomplished by 

 the observation, transfer and development of low impact, extensive aquaculture sys- 

 tems developed over 700 years by Hawaiians. Natural elements of tides, lunar 

 phases, fishing seasons and other phenomena indicated "times" to harvest, stock, 

 rest and rebuild walls. 



The methodology of Hawaiian Fishpond operations included kia i loko or pond op- 

 erators that utilized enclosed bays or ponds to maintain an estuary-like environ- 

 ment using fresh, nutrient rich stream run-off to fuel the primary productive level 

 for the extensive cultivation [300-600 lbs/acre] of mullet [ama'ama] and milkfish 

 [awa], herbivorous fishpond species. Various other traditional species of fish, sea 

 plants and shellfish were grown, but were water quality dependent. 



These systems of inland or coastal fishponds were "controlled" through the input 

 of spring or stream fed channels [auwai] and/or by the manipulation of "sea" gates 

 [makaha] that provide water circulation, fish stock recruitment and harvesting. 

 Fishpond walls [kuapa] of kuapa and puuone type ponds, were constructed of rock 

 material that were designed to absorb wave energy and allow the percolation of 

 oxygenated water to enter the loko ia. Although the detailed management from fish- 

 pond to fishpond might have been site specific, the overall methodology is the same. 



The methodology of Hawaiian Fishpond aquaculture should not be misconstrued 

 as modern intensive aquaculture practices. These systems are very different. Mod- 

 ern aquaculture looks at intensive production to make a profit, usually above 2000 

 lbs/acre/year. In order to do this in a Hawaiian fishpond, which has very little inter- 

 nal control, you would have to impact the harmony of its ecological and environ- 

 mental balance through "external inputs" like paddle wheels, more feeds, artificial 

 aeration, introduced species, $$$$, etc. The Best Management Practices of modern 

 aquaculture practices is where these approaches apply. Loko ia methodology does 

 not harm the environment if operated traditionally. 



The Hawaiian fishpond is itself based on a biologically deteriorating processes 

 called eutrophication. Eutrophication is the progression and evolution of an open- 

 pond system into a wetland swamp, eventually becoming a marsh, then a pasture. 

 A prime example of this is Kawainui Marsh, once a large productive loko i'a, it is 

 in the final stages of evolution as a result of not being actively managed and used. 

 To compound this, development of all kinds, introduced species such as mangrove 

 and tilapia, and silt/mud run-off have accelerated the eutrophication process. 



I am an educated Native Hawaiian aquaculturist with a university degree, yet I 

 never fail to be amazed and humbled at the genius involved with the creation and 

 development of the loko i'a system, and the degree of intelligence with which it was 

 managed and operated. The rehabilitation of traditional loko i'a practices and meth- 

 odology should be recognized for its merits, and incorporated into aspects of our cul- 

 ture as we live it today. 



Loko i'a systems are capable of being used toward the rehabilitation of native spe- 

 cies through fishery enhancement. Traditionally, Hawaiian Fishponds were able to 

 naturally recruit fish "seedstock" from the adjacent nearshore fishery. Today, the 

 fishery is incapable of providing fish stocking materials due to many negative fac- 

 tors. Fortunately for modern aquaculture research, we can aquaculturally produce 

 fish stocks, thereby, improving fish stocks of Hawaii's fisheries. This is just an ex- 

 ample of the "blend" of traditional and modern, which we see as securing this future 

 fishery, [see "Mullet Spawn Year Round at the Oceanic Institute," The Oceanic In- 

 stitute Newsline, Vol. 7, No. 2 [Summer 1994], pps. 1-2.] 



There are several Hawaiian Fishponds that are being used as nursery systems for 

 stock enhancement activities already. Aquaculturally produced seedstocks leave lar- 

 val rearing facilities and are nursed to fingerling size in fishponds until they can 

 be tagged and released for the recreational fishermen. Tagging these fishes allow 



