Waikiki in Honolulu in Honolulu County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Kălia Fishponds
Diamond Head from Waikiki Annex Pond
— Waikiki Historic Trail —
Had you walked across this road in 1897 you might have landed in Waikĩkĩ’s largest fishpond, the Ka’ihikapu, which measured 13 acres. All of today’s Fort DeRussy on the mauka (toward the mountain) side of the road was covered with fishponds. There were actually hundreds of fishponds in Waikĩkĩ. The fishponds were controlled by the chiefs, but maintained by the commoners. The fish grown in the ponds were mostly ‘ama’ama (or mullet) and awa (milkfish), both of which adapted well to brackish water. When the ponds were well cared for, the fish fattened quickly. The ponds functioned as “royal iceboxes” with readily available food for guests, especially the unexpected.
Ancient Hawaiians believed their fishponds were inhabited by mo’o deities who were sometimes described as creatures with terrifying black bodies, 12 to 30 feet in length. Hawaiians believed these creatures were the guardian spirits of fish ponds, who not only protected the caretakers but punished those who abused their responsibilities. The reclamation of Waikĩkĩ began here in Kălia when the U.S. military acquired 72 acres of land and started draining it in 1908 to build Fort DeRussy. It took over 250,000 cubic yards of sand and coral dredged from various O’ahu areas continuously over the course of a year to cover Ka’ihikapua and its sister ponds in Kălia. The Hale Koa Hotel is used exclusively for U.S. military personnel and their dependents.
Erected by Vision Team of Kaphula, Diamond Head, and Waikiki. (Marker Number 15.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 21° 16.885′ N, 157° 50.004′ W. Marker is in Honolulu, Hawaii, in Honolulu County. It is in Waikiki. Marker is on Kaila Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2076 Kalia Road, Honolulu HI 96815, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kuroda Field (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); “Brothers in Valor” Memorial (about 700 feet away); U.S. Prefabricated Pill Box (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S. Light Tank, M24 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Monarchy Cannon (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S. 105mm Howitzer M3 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Japanese Type 1 (1941) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Japanese Light Tank (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Honolulu.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2014, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 924 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 21, 2014, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.