Developing a Community-Developing a Community-Based Shellfish Industry for Based Shellfish Industry for

Hawai`iHawai`iRobert HowertonRobert Howerton

Maria HawsMaria Haws

University of HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii

• ConstraintsConstraints

• ObjectivesObjectives

• Traditional Hawaiian FishpondsTraditional Hawaiian Fishponds

• Site SelectionSite Selection

• AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

ConstraintsConstraints

• Hawai`i is only coastal state without a Hawai`i is only coastal state without a bivalve industry.bivalve industry.

• Hawai`i does not have a shoreline Hawai`i does not have a shoreline certification programcertification program

• Hawai`i does not have a certified Hawai`i does not have a certified laboratorylaboratory

• No native bivalve species have been No native bivalve species have been developed for culturedeveloped for culture

• No grow out locations have been identifiedNo grow out locations have been identified

ObjectivesObjectives

• Establish a shellfish working groupEstablish a shellfish working group• Conduct spawning trials on indigenous Conduct spawning trials on indigenous

speciesspecies• Identify two grow out sites on Moloka`iIdentify two grow out sites on Moloka`i• Work with state agencies responsible for Work with state agencies responsible for

shellfish sanitationshellfish sanitation• Determine if permits can be obtained for Determine if permits can be obtained for

non-native speciesnon-native species• Transfer bivalve culture technologyTransfer bivalve culture technology

WHAT IS AN AHUPUA`A?WHAT IS AN AHUPUA`A?

Traditional Hawaiian Traditional Hawaiian FishpondsFishponds

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

LOKO I`A KALOLOKO I`A KALO

KEANAE KEANAE MAUIMAUI

LOKO WAILOKO WAI`ALEKOKO (Menehune)

FISHPOND KAUA`I

LOKO PU`UONELOKO PU`UONE

Hawaii Kai O`ahuHawaii Kai O`ahu

LOKOLOKO KUAPĀKUAPĀ

Kāne`ohe Bay O`ahuKāne`ohe Bay O`ahu

Hawaiian Fishpond CensusHawaiian Fishpond Census

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

NU

MB

ER

.

Kuapa Puuone Wai Kalo Umeiki (?) Natural

TYPE OF FISHPOND

30%

25% 23%

1% 4%

7% 8%

Total = 488 Source: DHM Planners Inc. 1990

Hawaiian Fishpond CensusHawaiian Fishpond Census

020406080

100120140160180

NU

MB

ER

.

Hawaii Maui Lanai Molokai Oahu Kauai

LOCATION OF FISHPONDS

Total = 488 Source: DHM Planners Inc. 1990

28 %

9 %

1 %

36%

15 %10 %

Hawaiian Fishpond Restoration EffortsHawaiian Fishpond Restoration Efforts

PASSING THE STONES

SETTING THE STONES

FINISHED KUAPĀ(POND WALL)

Accomplishments to dateAccomplishments to date

Establishment of shellfish working groupEstablishment of shellfish working group Two native species identified for cultureTwo native species identified for culture

Indigenous SpeciesIndigenous Species

Dendostrea sandvichensis 

Spondylus sp.

Hawaiian OystersHawaiian Oysters

Accomplishments to dateAccomplishments to date

Establishment of shellfish working groupEstablishment of shellfish working group Two native species identified for cultureTwo native species identified for culture Three trial sites on Moloka`i and one on Three trial sites on Moloka`i and one on

O`ahuO`ahu

Island of Moloka`i

Keawanui FishpondKeawanui Fishpond

Keawanui FarmsKeawanui Farms

Kaloko`eli FishpondKaloko`eli Fishpond

Heei`a Fishpond O`ahuHeei`a Fishpond O`ahu

Accomplishments to DateAccomplishments to Date

Establishment of shellfish working groupEstablishment of shellfish working group Two native species identified for cultureTwo native species identified for culture Three trial sites on Moloka`i and one on O`ahuThree trial sites on Moloka`i and one on O`ahu State DOH, ADP and DLNR are members of the State DOH, ADP and DLNR are members of the

shellfish working groupshellfish working group Import permits have been approved for all Import permits have been approved for all

demonstration sites for three non-native speciesdemonstration sites for three non-native species Animals will be shipped to Moloka`i and O`ahu Animals will be shipped to Moloka`i and O`ahu

next month next month

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments USDA-CTSAUSDA-CTSA

Maui County Office of Economic DevelopmentMaui County Office of Economic Development

Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources CenterCenter

University of Hawaii Sea Grant College ProgramUniversity of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program

Maui Community CollegeMaui Community College