The south shore of Moloka i is blessed with the greatest number of ancient Hawaiian fishponds in the State and perhaps the strongest advocates of fishpond preservation and restoration. The community envisions that these ponds, which have slowly deteriorated, will be restored primarily for subsistence use. Secondary considerations in restoring fishponds include utilizing them as teaching tools for various disciplines including Hawaiian culture, marine biology, resource management and community-based economic development. Beyond these proposals, however, is the over-riding wish of the community to save these historic structures from further destruction as they embody an important spiritual, cultural and historic link with the past. How can all of these forces comfortably coexist and at the same time allow the fishponds to be restored in a timely and economical fashion? Where can we find a balance between fishpond restoration and environmental protection? This book is an attempt to provide answers to these questions.
