Projects
Mōliʻi Pond Programs
Goals
Overview
Mōliʻi Pond, an ancient 124-acre loko kuapā (walled fishpond) is a very special place for the people of Hakipuʻu and area families, who has genealogical ties to the pond. Legend has it that the family fed shrimp to the Menehune, who built the pond over night more than 600 years ago by enclosing it with a 4,000-foot stonewall. One of the largest fishponds in Hawaiʻi at 125 acres, Mōliʻi Pond is now owned and operated by Kualoa Ranch. It has been in continuous operation since it was built and was long managed by George Uyemura, the pond keeper, whose father had that position before him.
Today, there are two full-time staff dedicated to caring for the pond which is still stocked with ʻawa, ulua, oʻio, mullet and other species. The eastern end of the pond is home to a new commercial oyster operation, where Kualoa Ranch has managed to be one of the first organizations in decades to be granted a permit by the Department of Health (DOH) for growing commercial shellfish. As part of this permit, the pond has undergone repeated water quality monitoring and the water is in good condition. The ranch also operates tourist activities on the pond, including boat tours to the “Secret Island” on the makai side by the mākāhā.