These ingenious fishponds fed Hawaiians before colonialism

Transcript: Hawaii imports almost 90% of its food, so if a climate disaster or fuel shortage disrupts shipping, the islands are vulnerable to food shortages. But it was not always this way. In the past, Hawaiians grew and harvested a wide range of foods – including fish from specially designed coastal ponds. Lima: “Fishponds in … Hawaii are very unique because they really optimize the environments where they were built.” Brenda Lima of the nonprofit Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo says some fish ponds were created by building a rock wall to enclose a small bay or other area. Tiny fish would flow into the ponds through wooden grates, then feed on algae and grow too big to swim back out. So the ponds long served as naturally restocked fisheries. But after centuries of colonialism and development, most of the ponds have been neglected and damaged. So grassroots groups across Hawaii are working to restore them by clearing invasive species, removing sediment, and rebuilding collapsed walls. She says the efforts help revitalize cultural practices and help build a more resilient food system. Lima: “People really look to them as a way to establish food security again for our islands.” … which is especially important as the climate changes. Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media