It is the limu ʻeleʻele. Through talk story sessions with members of the Sato family, a family that leased the land in the mid 1900s, we have learned of the abundance of limu ʻeleʻele and where it grew in the pond. If you are familiar with this limu species, then you know that it is found where fresh water meets the ocean, whether at a stream mouth or from an underwater spring in the ocean. At Loko ea, it grew abundantly near the Western cave where many springs are located. In the book KA POʻE KAHIKO O WAIʻANAE, my tūtū wahine kuakahi or great-grandmother mentions the limu ʻeleʻele of Anahulu, the stream adjacent to Loko ea, here is a little excerpt from her story, “Further down from Kaiaka where we lived was the Anahulu Stream and, after a heavy rain pour, we would go down to the stream to gather the limu ʻeleʻele. All the people of the area would run to the river with their buckets to fill with this limu ʻeleʻele.” What a sight it must’ve been to see the whole community at the river mouth gathering limu in buckets.

​Through the years, we have seen limu ʻeleʻele growing in different areas throughout the pond. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last long due to the changing conditions. In 2017, Uncle Buddy Keala suggested utilizing floating 2x4 planks in the areas known to have the limu. Three twenty-feet test lines with four 2x4s attached were set out and monitored. The wood showed promising results with the limu beginning to grow. Unfortunately, the fish began to graze the limu and all planks were left with short patchy areas. After a decline in progress, test trials would end in early August, sending us back to the drawing board. Weeks later, to our surprise limu would begin to grow in an unsuspected place. Patches of limu began to grow in the newly made loko iʻa kalo or taro patch pond located at the mouth of the Eastern cave where a spring flows into Keiki pond. The limu absolutely loved this area and grew in very thick. I would love to end this article with a happy ending but the limu would disappear in mid October within a week. Was it a change in weather or was it the tilapia? Until our next newsletter, I’ll leave you to ponder this question.

Ikaika Lum
Kiaʻi o Loko ea
Kawailoa, Waialua

It is truly humbling to know we belong to a community rooted in a deep passion to preserve and protect this paradise we call home. Beyond learning about the current situations of microplastics in our oceans, we were also able to raise a considerable amount of funds through ticket sales, merchandise, and our exciting prize raffle! In addition, Jack Johnson will be matching funds raised from this event as a part of his “All At Once” program and concert series this past weekend.  All funds raised will be allocated to a new fundraising initiative called ʻAmapō Ea. The mission of ʻAmapō Ea is to not only restore Loko Ea Fishpond, but to also kōkua loko iʻa across ka pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi in their journeys through restoration.
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With the success of our first film screening, Loko Ea plans to host future fundraising events, show meaningful films relevant to conservation, schedule keynote speakers and present cultural practitioners to our community in the near future!

Since 2008, Kamehameha Schools has conducted water quality tests at MLE, and with this recent issue, additional testing was conducted. The results of our tests indicate that water quality met state and federal guidelines and KS has determined that water activities may resume at MLE.

The safety of our keiki, teachers and community is of utmost importance to us.

MLE has and will continue with standard precautionary safety measures in place.
The precautions include, but are not limited to:

• Staying out of water after heavy rain or flooding
• Staying out of the water if participants have open cuts or wounds
• Providing gloves and tabis (water shoes) for participants
• washing after pond activities

Loko Ea fishpond is a significant cultural and educational resource within the Kawailoa ahupua‘a. We strive to make it a safe learning experience, and hope that your child’s visit to this site will be valuable to their learning experience.
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For Mālama Loko Ea FACTSHEET Please CLICK HERE to view.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@lokoea.org or hcbed@ksbe.edu.