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Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Along the western coastline of the Island of Hawai'i lies the hot, rugged lava of Kaloko-Honokohau. Some people find it difficult to understand why the ancient Hawaiians chose to settle upon these stark lava fields. The reason was, perhaps, a spiritual one, for there was a spirit in Kaloko-Honokohau. The Hawaiians who first came to the area felt its presence in every rock and tree, in the gentle waters of shallow bays and in the tradewinds that gently swept across the lava flow. Perhaps you too will experience this spirit on your visit to this National Historical Park.
The stone walls extending into the crashing surf mark the boundaries of Kaloko Fishpond. This is a loko kuapa, where the stones are dry stacked without the use of mortar to enclose the mouth of a small bay. At Kaloko Fishpond, walls were angled to diffuse the energy of the powerful ocean waves while allowing new sea water to penetrate through the porous lava rocks and circulate about the fishpond. A large sluice gate (makaha) allows for further water exchange with the pond and prevents larger fish from escaping. Fishponds are among the great engineering feats of Hawaiians, nowhere else throughout Polynesia were fishponds so numerous and highly developed. Current efforts are underway to once again enable Kaloko Fishpond to be managed and used for aquaculture.
SPIRIT OF HONOKOHAU
Our voices around the fire
spoke in soft harmony,
Bound by the spirit of Honokohau
to our kupuna (ancestors)
Who settled in the sacredness
of the living honua (earth).
We walked the trails again
with our words;
Mauka-makai (land to sea) across our history
built on the 'a'a (lava)
Past the stone planters
where our culture grew.
Our thoughts filled the ponds
at high tide.
Through the makaha (gate), they flowed
into our heritage
Born between land and sea
secured by the kuapa.
We found strength upon the heiau,
in every pore of each stone.
Buried beneath the grave mounds
was the life we worshipped;
To the spirit of Honokohau
we offered ourselves.
As burning embers lit the night
we made our beds of sand.
The oli was sung and danced
below the shooting stars.
Kanakaleonui would wake us;
guide our boats to sea.
By Stephen Kaneai Morse
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