While coming together this past December, HNC and DAWSON leaders had the honor of partnering in hands-on service with Paepae o He‘eia, a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit and long-time community partner dedicated to the care and restoration of He‘eia Fishpond (loko i‘a) in He‘eia Uli, Ko‘olaupoko, O‘ahu.
Built more than 800 years ago, He‘eia Fishpond stands as a living testament to Native Hawaiian ingenuity, cultural sustainability, and community resilience. The loko i‘a continues to serve as a powerful example of mālama ‘āina in action, sustaining both people and place through generations.
During the volunteer workday, the ‘ohana supported preparations for a large-scale restoration effort that would welcome thousands of volunteers just two days later. This work was part of Paepae o He‘eia’s Kū Hou Kuapā program, which focuses on restoring and rehabilitating the kuapā, or fishpond wall—the backbone of the fishpond system. Strengthening the kuapā is critical to preserving the integrity of the pond and sustaining the cultural, educational, and aquacultural programs rooted in this wahi pana.
We are proud to support Paepae o He‘eia and other community partners through both financial contributions and volunteer efforts, helping sustain the organizations and initiatives that strengthen Hawai‘i’s people, culture, and ‘āina. In addition to volunteering, the team had the opportunity to help capture and share the beauty and significance of He‘eia Fishpond through a short video highlighting Paepae o He‘eia’s mission and the collective effort behind the restoration.
We are grateful to Paepae o He‘eia for welcoming our ‘ohana and for their continued leadership in caring for this treasured resource. Their work ensures that He‘eia Fishpond remains a place of learning, nourishment, and connection for future generations.
