1. Developing a Community-Based Shellfish Industry for Hawai`i
Robert Howerton
Maria Haws
University of Hawaii

2. Constraints
Objectives
Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds
Site Selection
Accomplishments

3. Constraints Hawai`i is only coastal state without a bivalve industry.
Hawai`i does not have a shoreline certification program
Hawai`i does not have a certified laboratory
No native bivalve species have been developed for culture
No grow out locations have been identified

4. Objectives Establish a shellfish working group
Conduct spawning trials on indigenous species
Identify two grow out sites on Moloka`i
Work with state agencies responsible for shellfish sanitation
Determine if permits can be obtained for non-native species
Transfer bivalve culture technology

5. WHAT IS AN AHUPUA`A?

6. Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds
At Mānana Peninsula in Pu‘uloa (Pearl Harbor) oral tradition tells of people lined up for more than a mile from the shoreline to the mountains, passing lava rocks “without touching the ground in transit” (Cobb, 1903).

7. LOKO I`A KALO
KEANAE MAUI

8. `ALEKOKO (Menehune) FISHPOND KAUA`I
LOKO WAI
`ALEKOKO (Menehune) FISHPOND KAUA`I

9. LOKO PU`UONE
Hawaii Kai O`ahu

10. LOKO KUAPĀ
Kāne`ohe Bay O`ahu

11. Hawaiian Fishpond Census
30%
25%
23% 7% 8% 1% 4%
Total = 488 Source: DHM Planners Inc. 1990

12. Hawaiian Fishpond Census
36%
28 %
15 %
10 %
9 %
1 %
Total = 488 Source: DHM Planners Inc. 1990

13. Hawaiian Fishpond Restoration Efforts
SETTING THE
STONES
FINISHED KUAPĀ
(POND WALL)
PASSING THE
STONES

14. Accomplishments to date
Establishment of shellfish working group
Two native species identified for culture

15. Indigenous Species
Spondylus sp.
Dendostrea sandvichensis 

16. Hawaiian Oysters

17. Accomplishments to date
Establishment of shellfish working group
Two native species identified for culture
Three trial sites on Moloka`i and one on O`ahu

18. Island of Moloka`i

19. Keawanui Fishpond

20. Keawanui Farms

21. Kaloko`eli Fishpond

22. Heei`a Fishpond O`ahu

23. Accomplishments to Date
Establishment of shellfish working group
Two native species identified for culture
Three trial sites on Moloka`i and one on O`ahu
State DOH, ADP and DLNR are members of the shellfish working group
Import permits have been approved for all demonstration sites for three non-native species
Animals will be shipped to Moloka`i and O`ahu next month

24. Acknowledgments USDA-CTSA Maui County Office of Economic Development
Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center
University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program
Maui Community College