Ko'ie'ie Loko i'a
www.formaui.org
808-879-7926
Kalepolepo Park and beach, the area of 750 South Kihei Road, Kehei, South Maui
The best preserved of the royal fishponds on Maui. Comfortable and safe for the youngest as well as the oldest for snorkeling.
The historian S. Kamakau says that while many of the ponds were built by known chiefs, some ponds were built by ka Po'e kahiko (the people of old) or Menehune. This pond, of the kuapa style found only in Hawaii, was built for the village of Ko'ie'ie by Ku'ula Kai ca. 150-250 AD. As the village grew in the late 1500's the three larger ponds were built just south by "umi-a-Liloa (ca. 1540 AD), for the villagers and Ko'ie'ei' Loko i'a became the fishpond for the Ali'i (Royals).
From the slopes of Haleakala rocks, the size of a mans head, were passed hand to hand, sorted and those with the 'right face' fit together, building the inner and outer walls. The remaining stones and coraline, which made a living cement, were poured into the center of the wall. An 'auwai (opening) was made and a makaha (gate) was built from special wood. This gate allowed small fish in but did not allow large fish out. Thus the loko i'a flourished, feeding the villagers while farming the ocean wisely.
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