Our History,
Our Legacy
From ancient times to today, our connection to this place continues
The Kapoho Village and Fishpond
This map shows the original layout of the Kapoho Fishpond and Village. Our work has focused on restoring the fishpond utilizing as much of the original structure as possible.
The History of Kapoho
Nestled within the wetlands of Waiheʻe, Kapoho was once part of a thriving Native Hawaiian village system sustained by the interconnected relationship between loko iʻa, loʻi kalo, freshwater springs, and the surrounding ʻāina.
For generations, these lands provided nourishment and supported a way of life deeply rooted in balance, stewardship, and ʻike kūpuna. The Kapoho loko iʻa kalo system reflected the ingenuity of traditional Hawaiian resource management, where freshwater and coastal ecosystems worked together to sustain both the land and the people.
Over time, changes in land use, the diversion of water, and the loss of traditional practices led to the decline of these once-abundant systems. Wetlands dried, waterways shifted, and many of the cultural connections tied to this place became fragmented.
Today, restoration efforts seek not only to care for the physical landscape, but to revive the practices, relationships, and ʻike that have long been connected to this ʻāina. Through community stewardship, cultural restoration, and the continuation of traditional practices such as uhau humu pōhaku, we honor the legacy of those who came before us while creating a foundation for future generations.
Kapoho remains a place of deep cultural significance — a reminder that when water flows, the land thrives, and the people thrive alongside it.
