On Friday, May 1st, we learned about sustainable fisheries and the choice each of us has as to how we will contribute towards it. The term “Pono Mo’ ʻOno”, short for “Pono is more ʻOno” which, to us, means “responsibly caught fish are more delicious”. Mahalo to Rebecca Most, of The Nature Conservancy, who was our co-host.
The entire Aloha Friday Live event from May 1st was recorded to share with you. To view the video, featuring Ku`ulei Keakealani, Lehua Kamaka, and Rebecca Most, please click above and register first with your name and email.
The diagram above might surprise you with the maximum known ages of various fish. Recently, a Kala (Unicorn fish) was found to be 58 years old! While on the other end of the spectrum, Manini (Convict tang) only live about 4 years .
Older, larger fish produce more, and healthier eggs! For example, a 27-inch ʻōmilu makes 86 times more eggs than an ʻōmilu half its size! You can think of it like this: taking a 27-inch big mama ʻōmilu has the same effect as taking 86 14-inch ʻōmilu! Let us ask ourselves, what impact does taking 86 of any fish have on a place?
Understanding fish growth and spawning can inform better decisions on what to catch or let go. For Amaʻama (mullet), the catch “slot size” that allows them to reach reproductive maturity as well maintain a healthy brood stock, or “big mamas”, is 11 - 19 inches.
A FOOD SECURITY STORY FROM KIHOLO | CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
The following video tells the story of Hui's work, in partnership with Conservation International Hawaiʻi, to restore our fishery and assess its impact on local food security.
Pono (goodness, uprightness) guides Huiʻs interactions with the natural and cultural landscape of Kīholo. Through talking with kamaʻāina (native-born), fisher people, our own kilo (observations), and researchers, we put forth guidelines to help all of us walk forward with pono. We invite you to join us in this collaboration with place.
MAHALO NUI
Mahalo to everyone who came along to Kīholo with us. In this time of social distancing, and the closure of Kīholo State Park Reserve, it is a privilege to share the continued vibrancy of Kīholo with you in safe and responsible ways.
NEXT TIME
Join us for our next Aloha Friday Live on May 15th, as we explore the the ranching history and current stewardship efforts in the Puʻuwaʻawaʻa ahupuaʻa. We will be joined by co-presenter Liana Macdonald-Kainoa, Outreach and Education Assistant of the Nā0.
puʻu Conservation Project.
KU`ULEI KEAKEALANI
Educator, cultural practitioner, poet, storyteller, activist, and our Cultural Director at Hui Aloha Kīholo, Ku`ulei wears many hats, but wears them all with a strong sense of the history of her ancestors and the responsibility we have to perpetuate Hawaiian culture for future generations.
LEHUA SANDY KAMAKA
Hui Aloha Kīholo operates with a small but dedicated staff and now has a physical presence on the ground, seven days a week, through our Hoa ʻĀina team. Lehua is one of our Hoa ʻĀina. In collaboration with our partners, Hoa ʻĀina, or “friends of the land” monitor and protect natural and cultural resources, engage with and educate visitors, and manage camping. By creating a community of stewards, with visitors, kamaʻāina (locals), partners, and advocates, Kīholo can continue to thrive culturally and environmentally.
REBECCA MOST
Rebecca is the Hawai`i Island Marine Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy, and she blends a strong marine science background with a sensitivity to the lessons of place, to help care for Ka Loko o Kīholo, the marvelous fishpond of Kīholo, and beyond. Rebecca and her team conduct research, enlist the knowledge of local kupuna, and organize community workdays to restore the fishpond.
UPCOMING EVENT
Camping at the Kīholo State Park Reserve will be closed starting September 24, 2021 until further notice due to COVID-19 guidelines set by the State and/or County.