Hawaii: Aquaculture

Ever wanted to catch fish without actually fishing? Hawaiians created an ingenious way to farm fish in their natural habitat by building an enclosed section of ocean. There they raised fish, somewhat like raising animals on a farm. Loko'i'a or fishponds were made by building a large stone wall with a gate. Smaller fish were able to swim in to feed, protected from larger predators which were too big to fit through the gate. Soon the smaller fish had grown too large to exit through the gate. It was then the simple task of lawai'a or fishermen to gather what fish they needed, using only a throw net.

Look towards the lagoon and see if you can find a mākāhā, or sluice gate. Can't find it? Our villagers will be happy to point it out to you.