The Royal Fishponds of Puʻuloa
The reign of Kalanimanuia, Moʻi Wahine (Queen) of Oahu, is remembered as a period of peace and prosperity. She made her capital in the ahupuaʻa of Kalauao along the fertile shores of Puʻuloa, and is credited with the construction of three royal fishponds: Loko Iʻa Paʻakea in Waimalu and Loko Iʻa Opu and Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau in Kalauao. During Kalanimanuiaʻs reign, these three fishponds helped to nourish the people of the Oʻahu and their leaders.
Although Loko Iʻa Opu was filled in during the 20th century, Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau and a portion of Loko Iʻa Paʻakea still stand today, centuries after their construction. While the proliferation of development associated with plantation, military, and economic development have destroyed most pre-1900 sites in ‘Aiea, Kalauao, and Waimalu, these fishponds continue to stand as a precious link to the people who lived in these ahupua’a before Annexation.
About this Archive
The purpose of this archive is to document the Royal Fishponds of Puʻuloa: Loko iʻa Pāʻaiau, Loko iʻa Opu, and Loko iʻa Paʻakea, areas in-between, and the adjacent land and sea, and to serve as a reference and aide in the restoration of these sacred sites.
This site is administered by the ʻAiea Community Association in association with the Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, which helps to steward Loko iʻa Pāʻaiau, and Malama Paʻakea o Waimalu, which stewards Loko iʻa Paʻakea.
We are grateful to Aiea Hongwanji Mission for hosting the physical portion of our archive. (Please note that this archive is not open to the public. If you are interested in accessing materials in our archive, please contact the ʻAiea Community Association to make arrangements.)
Acknowledgements
This archive was made possible by a generous grant by The Cooke Foundation, Limited. We are grateful for their support.
While we consulted with several groups, archives, and organizations when building this archive, the webmaster wants to especially thank the research librarians of the Legislative Reference Bureau Library for their help in setting up this platform.
Finally, mahalo again to Aiea Hongwanji Mission for hosting the physical portion of our archive and making workspace available for some of our archive work.