Akakū Upstairs: Harvesting History – Kihei’s Ancient Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond

Harvesting History – Kihei’s Ancient Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond
with Joylynn Paman, Exec. Director of ‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui

The history and restoration of Kihei’s ancient Kō’ie‘ie Fishpond will be the topic of the Akakū Upstairs Salon on Thursday, July 11 at 6 pm. Joylynn Paman, Executive Director of ‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui, a group which advocated for the pond’s restoration and preservation as a historical-cultural site, will share what she has learned since starting out as a volunteer with the organization in 1997.

In ancient times, Hawaii’s chiefs were considered wealthy if they had fishponds within their ahupua`a. Hawaiian fishponds were constructed of rock, mostly lava, with slatted openings that allowed small fish to enter and feed in the warm, nutrient-rich waters near the shoreline. Once they grew too big to escape, they were trapped in the ponds and easily harvested.

Paman will share the short film, “The Mo’olelo of Ko’ie’ie Fishpond” produced by Akakū’s Jay April and Lou Diliberto, and talk about the historical and cultural significance of Hawaiian fishponds, how they were used to ensure a steady supply of fresh fish for the Hawaiian people, and the extensive restoration process that has been undertaken to ensure that Kō’ie‘ie remains intact for generations to come.

Salons are held Thursday evenings from 6 pm– 7:30 pm at Akakū Upstairs, 333 Dairy Road, Suite 204, in Kahului, right above the Akakū TV studios and KAKU Radio. The presentations are taped for cablecast on Akakū Blue Channel 55 and made available for viewing “on-demand” through https://www.akaku.org/maui-salon-upstairs-vod/.

These interesting and informative presentations are admission-free, but please RSVP to at www.akaku.org/salons or call 808-871-5554 to let us know you are coming. We’ll see you there.