“Holoholo Fo Da Loko”, Sunday Jan. 30, 2011

By Wendy Osher

Save the fishpond–preserve the culture. ‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui hosts a fund raiser fun-run this weekend to support the revitalization of the Ko’ie’ie Fishpond in South Maui.

Image courtesy Maui Fish Pond Association, 'Ao 'ao o na loko i'a o Maui.

The 3rd Annual Ko’ie’ie 5K Fun Run takes place this Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 8 a.m. The run begins at the Hawaiian Humpback National Marine Sanctuary, heads toward Ma’alaea on North Kihei Road, then returns to the sanctuary with a 1.5 mile return run along the scenic south Maui coastline.

To register for the “Holoholo Fo Da Loko” event, visit partner, Valley Isle Roadrunners.

Ko'ie'ie Fishpond Restoration. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The non-profit group was established in 1998 after the successful listing of the Ko’ie’ie Fishpond two years earlier on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui has been working to restore the rock wall that extends into the waters fronting Kalepokleopo Park near the Menehune Shoes Condominium. The association is currently recruiting volunteers to assist in the restoration effort on community workdays that are held on the second and last Saturdays each month from 8-10 a.m.

Over the long term, the association hopes to utilize Ko’ie’ie as a learning station for the community. Lessons in Hawaiian culture, reef restoration, and aquaculture are part of the vision for the future of the fishpond.

For more information, call the association at (808) 359-1172.