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Beyond Surf and Sand - A Glimpse of Hawaiian History and Culture
By Jackie Brainard Published: 02/08/2008
The ancient Hawaiians didn't hunt ke kohala (the humpback whale), but the mammoth creature was an important symbol. In 1996, echoing that ancient symbol, the federal and Hawai‘i state governments formed a partnership to protect humpback whales—the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Two-thirds of the entire population of North Pacific humpback whales migrates here from Alaska each winter. These behemoths begin to arrive in November where they give birth to their young in our warm, shallow waters, and begin the breeding cycle again. After a few months, they swim 3,000 miles back to their summer feeding grounds. At the peak of the season there are thousands of humpbacks in Hawaiian waters.
For more information, browse the Sanctuary's Education Center, talk with staff and volunteers, or enjoy the 45-Ton Talk Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am to learn about the whale's physiology, behavior, why they make the long journey from Alaska, and what they do while they are here.
Gracing the shoreline of North Kihei, near Kalepolepo Park, lies an ancient Native Hawaiian fishpond built well over 500 years ago. Kö‘ie‘ie Fishpond, as it is known, is a cultural attraction where visitors can see the revitalization of not only a cultural treasure, but the revitalization of a culture! The restoration of the half-moon shaped wall partially submerged in the ocean is a remembrance of the life of ancient Hawaiians. Their ingenuity and understanding of their surroundings enabled them to live a sustainable lifestyle, harvesting fish from the ocean and farming food on land.
The movement to revitalize Kö‘ie‘ie Fishpond began in 1997 by residents who saw the potential to bring life back to the fishpond and the Hawaiian culture back to Kihei. Thus ‘Ao‘ao O Na Loko I‘a O Maui (Association of the Fishponds of Maui) a nonprofit organization was formed. In 2005, the association partnered with Na Koa Kau I Ka Meheu O Na Kupuna (Warriors Who Walk in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors) to begin the physical restoration. If you ask why they are willing to lift and carry rocks and boulders weighing as much as 300 pounds, they will likely tell you that they are restoring not only an ancient fishpond wall, but their very culture, stone by stone. ‘Ao‘ao O Na Loko I‘a O Maui is dedicated to the restoration and revitalization of Kö‘ie‘ie Fishpond to enrich the life of the marine environment, experiences of visitors, and Native Hawaiian culture.
Locations
Maui, South Shore/Maui, Kihei
Photo Gallery - Beyond Surf and Sand
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