ʻIke Kūpuna at Heʻeia

As we prepare to launch our efforts to restore the Kapoho kalo loko iʻa at Waiheʻe, HILTʻs Waiheʻe Steward Kiaʻi Collier went to learn more about uhau humu pohaku (fishpond wall construction) at Paepae O Heʻeia on Oʻahu, read his reflection on his time spent there below:

There is an ongoing need for indigenous knowledge revitalization specifically concerning land stewardship and Hawaiian Fishpond restoration. During my time at Heʻeia in December of 2021, celebrating 20 years of Paepae o Heʻeia and 6 years since the Pani ka Puka event that saw over 2,000 people close the makai wall of the fishpond that had been broken and open for 50 years, I observed three main components to support these efforts.

1) Kanaka - Individual

Each kanaka at Heʻeia, a fishpond that is over 800+ years old, has a relative and trusted source of indigenous knowledge. This knowledge is attained through kūpuna, references to Hawaiian scholars, institutions (UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, etc) and most importantly, experience.

2) Hui Piko - Core Group

At Paepae o Heʻeia the kanaka who steward that ʻāina have come
together for a shared purpose: to restore and preserve a
system that our kūpuna thrived on. This hui have worked for years to make the fishpond functional for today's society, and all with the guidance and perpetuation of ʻike kupuna.

3) ʻAha Hui Piko - Collective Hui Piko

The collective Hui Piko. Seeing all other hui that have kuleana with
preservation and conservation showing up to support Heʻeia was
empowering. Showing people in our community that our lāhui is strong
and thriving. But more importantly the collaboration of ʻike and
commitment to aloha ʻāina.

I was honored to be one of over 110 commmunity members representing 12+ organizations who showed up and built over 430 feet of kuapā (wall). And though I arrived on Oʻahu with the intention of learning to build wall, I returned here to Kapoho with the knowledge of how to build community. Mahalo to Heʻeia for welcoming me and Hawaiʻi Land Trust.

— Written by Kiaʻi Collier

— Photo by Kimeona Kane