About Us
Our staff & Board of Directors
Joylynn Paman
Executive Director
Fishpond Restoration Team
Vicente Rubio, Daniel Kahaiali`i, Mike Moepono
Outreach and Education Team
Kaela Izak and Melanie Elizares
Board of Directors
President/Treasurer: Kimokeo Kapahulehua
Vice President/Secretary: Ellen Federoff
Our history
`Ao`ao O Nā Loko I`a O Maui (Association of the Fishponds of Maui) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization originally created in 1998 by residents of the Kihei area in South Maui, Hawai`i. High concern for the deterioration of South Maui’s most visible and accessible Hawaiian fishpond united a variety of community groups and individuals to form an organization to revitalize this Hawaiian cultural treasure.
Since 1998, we have been offering free educational experiences to school groups and community organizations from here on Maui and around the world, to educate participants about Native Hawaiian fishponds and their importance within our Hawaiian culture and environment. We also work with the community to rebuild and maintain Kō‘ie‘ie. Since 1998, we have hosted thousands of people and many have helped maintain the fishpond’s walls.
Our mission
“We value the importance of traditional Hawaiian fishponds. We believe in revitalizing and preserving Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond for future generations to enjoy its historical, cultural, archaeological, educational and recreational purposes.”
One of the main programs of ‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui is to restore and maintain Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond. Our community has been instrumental in assisting with this work as they help replace rocks that have fallen and rocks that have been uncovered after the sand shifts within the pond. In addition, over the years, we have had trained masons skillfully rebuild and maintain the wall.
Another major program of our Association is education. We value Kō‘ie‘ie as an outdoor living classroom where individuals, school groups and community organizations can gain a better understanding and awareness of the value of Hawaiian fishponds within our Hawaiian culture and environment. We host numerous groups throughout the year who not only participate in fishpond restoration but also learn mo‘olelo (stories), environmental and cultural history about this ancient fishpond.