Historical Chronology

From the old stone walls of the Waikalua Loko fishpond to the verdant walls of the magnificent pali, the Kaneohe ahupua'a holds clues to a rich cultural and natural heritage. As educators in this awe-inspiring place, we have opportunities to help students discover and embrace that heritage and carry forward the practices that will help us to live more in harmony with the land and sea today. In the days of old Hawaii, this ahupua'a flourished with productive lo'i kalo (taro patches) fed by the waters of Kawa and Kane'ohe streams. The waters flowed from the streams through 'auwai (ditches) into the lo'i and into the loko i'a (fishponds). At Waikalua Loko today we discover the ingenuity of Hawaiians who engineered these extensive irrigation and aquaculture systems. Waikalua Loko Fishpond is a loko kuapa—a type of fishpond that is unique to these Islands.* The fishpond we see today is very different from the pond that was constructed by Hawaiians approximately 350 years ago. The original pond received fresh water from both Kane'ohe and Kawa streams. Grates once controlled the flow of water from these streams into the pond so that pond managers could control the salinity of the water. The original locations of the makaha (sluice grates) on the makai side and the dimensions of the pond walls are not known, but more research could probably shed light on this information.

Changes to Waikalua Loko Over Time
1650	Waikalua Loko constructed by Hawaiians. (This approximate date is determined from a core sampling of the rock wall of the pond.)
1887	An 1887 map of the area shows extensive lo'i kalo mauka of the pond. A photograph of the area also shows a small interior pond where mullet fry were probably grown.
1900	The pond was in commercial operation with an area of 13.4 acres (today it is approximately 11.6 acres).
1926	An aerial photograph of the pond from 1928 (next page) shows a large break in the makai pond wall.
1930	The pond walls were reconstructed with the three openings we see today. These makaha were constructed of reinforced concrete. The wall, which is 9 to 12 feet wide may have been widened for access by equipment. The original walls had stone faces and were filled with cobbles and coral.
1940	Water quality and the marine environment were affected by human activities. 1940 More than 11 million cubic yards of coral was dredged in K?ne?ohe Bay and sugar and pineapple cultivation led to extensive soil erosion and siltation of the bay.
1950	A sewage outfall that was constructed near Waikalua Loko had a major impact on water quality.
	1928	June 13, 2000
1967	An aerial photo shows a channelized Kawa Stream that flows directly into the bay. Today the mouth of this stream is covered in silt and mangrove. This same photo shows a ditch next to the pond and the sewage treatment plant that appears to connect both streams. Ongoing development in the uplands of the K?ne?ohe ahupua?a created serious soil erosion into the bay. Introduced mangrove plants became a major management challenge at the pond. Mr. Koyama, the pond operator in the 1960s, reported a mullet harvest of 100 pounds per month (not a commercially viable yield).
1970	Pond operation stopped. Flood control efforts led to channelization of 1970 K?ne?ohe Stream, which was dammed at Ho?omaluhia Park. Portions of Kawa Stream were lined with concrete and the stream was further channelized. Sewage discharge to Kane'ohe Bay was stopped and diverted to Mokapu Point.
1995	The Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society was formed to help m?lama 1995 Docent Manual 5-13-11 the pond for use as an educational site.
1998	Castle High School Science Teacher, Sheila Cyboron, brings first group of students (grade 11 and 12) to study science in the context of the fishpond; The transformation in student motivation and learning inspires a new level of culture-based curriculum development.
2000	WLFPS partners with the Pacific American Foundation (PAF), the Hawaii Department of Education and and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program and receives its first major curriculum development grant award from the U. S. Department of Education entitled “Kahea Loko, the Call of the pond.”
2003	Kahea Loko becomes a huge success; statewide workshops are scheduled and over 330 teachers sign up for training in the standards-based curriculum.
2004	Pacific American Foundation, the Society, the Hawaii DOE partner again and receive its second major grant award called “Aloha ‘Aina.” It focuses on the Kane’ohe ahupua’a.
2007	Pacific American Foundation, the Society, the Hawaii DOE partner again and receive its second major grant award called “Aloha ‘Aina.” It focuses on the Kane’ohe ahupua’a.
2009	In partnership with the University of Hawaii at Windward and the Hawaii Institute of marine Biology, the Society and PAF, the U. S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards the group a grant to purchase the Waikalua Loko Fishpond and grant title to PAF.
2011	The Historic Hawaii Foundation selects the Waikalua Loko Fishpond and the Society with its highest honor for exemplary preservation of a cultural resource.
Today	Approximately 5,000 students, families and community members visit the pond every year to learn about this special place. Community members regularly come to care for the pond--to remove invasive mangrove, pick up marine debris, and repair walls. Today The work of students, community groups, and the Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society has breathed new life back into Waikalua Loko. As each stone is put back on the wall and each native plant takes root, we build the foundation for a healthier future that honors the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Kane'ohe ahupua'a.