As you’re planning your sightseeing for Kauai, you’ll wish to add the view of the Menehune Pond within the Hule’ia Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. This historic Hawaiian fishpond and its surrounds usually are not solely lovely, however there’s a really neat legend about this fishpond.
What are Hawaiian Fishponds?
Hawaiian fishponds are an excellent type of historic aquaculture. The ponds are rock constructions constructed into the ocean or alongside inlets normally in a semi-circle formation. Consider it form of like a fence or a wall that’s constructed within the ocean or within the case of the Menehune Pond, a stream. The small gaps within the rock wall permits small fish to get contained in the pond. The fish find yourself staying within the pond. As they develop, the turn out to be too giant to get by way of the small gaps within the rock wall to exit. Finally, they’re sufficiently big to be caught for dinner.
Fishponds have been in use for hundreds of years. It’s estimated that Menehune Pond is about 1,000 years previous. One in all its claims to fame is that it’s listed within the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
What’s the legend of the Menehune Fishpond?
This fishpond is thought by several names. We’ve mostly seen it known as Alekoko or Menehune. I’ve heard it known as Menehune Pond probably the most. That have to be because of the legend of the way it was constructed. Per GoHawaii,
“The legend that surrounds the fishpond relies on the legendary Menehune, Hawaiʻi’s mischievous little individuals who carried out legendary engineering feats. The Menehune lived within the forest and hid from people. Based on Hawaiian legends, the Menehune constructed this whole fishpond in a single evening. They managed this superb job by lining up from the village of Makaweli for 25 miles, passing stones hand-to-hand to construct the pond. Although Menehune legends abound, some say the phrase might have derived from the Tahitian phrase manahune that means commoner, or small in social standing, not in bodily dimension.”
How are you going to see the Menehune Pond?
Hule’ia Nationwide Reserve and the Menehune Pond are situated on the east aspect of Kauai. Extra particularly, it’s within the Lihue space close to Nawiliwili Bay and Harbor.
To get an amazing view of Menehune Pond and the Hule’ia Nationwide Wildlife Protect, discover the small pull out and overlook off of Hulemalu Highway. See this link to Google Maps to get instructions.
About Hule’ia Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
The Menehune Fishpond is situated within the pristine Hule’ia National Wildlife Refuge. The Hule’ia Stream runs by way of this verdant valley.
In case you are a birdwatcher, you’ll wish to deliver your binoculars to observe for protected and endangered birds. This wildlife refuge was established in 1973 to guard endangered, native birds.
We’ve kayaked the Hule’ia Stream with Outfitters Kauai. It’s a very peaceable and comparatively straightforward to kayak going with the wind at your again.
View of the barrier of Akeloko Fishpond as seen from kayaking the Huleia StreamFor extra details about Hule’ia Nationwide Wildlife Reserve and caring for it, see Malama Hule’ia.
Have you ever seen the Menehune Fishpond throughout your travels to Kauai?
