Paepae o He'eia

Paepae o He‘eia is dedicated to the restoration and stewardship of the He‘eia Fishpond, a traditional Hawaiian loko i‘a (fishpond) that preserves centuries-old aquaculture practices and strengthens community connection to ‘āina and cultural heritage. The fishpond serves as a living classroom, providing educational and hands-on experiences for thousands of participants, over half of whom are Native Hawaiian.

In 2025, HNC supported the Mo‘okuapā volunteer event to restore the final 300-foot section of the He‘eia Fishpond wall. Funding enabled:
• Sourcing of raw materials, including moss rock and coral, for the retaining wall restoration
• Creation of event-specific visual aids for volunteers
• Provision of locally sourced traditional foods and sustenance for participants

HNC’s executive leadership also participated in a preparatory workday, marking a full-circle moment as Paepae o He‘eia was one of HNC’s first community partners. This support helped preserve traditional aquaculture practices and ensured that the fishpond continues to benefit over 3,000 community members, reinforcing cultural knowledge, stewardship, and connection to ‘āina for current and future generations.