Menehune Fishpond

The Menehune Fishpond, near Lihue, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, is a historic Hawaiian fishpond. Also known as Alekoko Fishpond, it has been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Menehune Fishpond
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	On the Hulēʻia River south of Lihue (viewable from lookout on south side of Puhi Road)
Nearest city	Lihue, Hawaii
Coordinates	21.9525°N 159.375278°W / 21.9525; -159.375278
Area	5 acres (2.0 ha)
Architectural style	Hawaiian fishpond
NRHP reference No.	73000677[1]
Added to NRHP	March 14, 1973

Also called Alekoko or Niumalu Pond, it is bounded by a wall 900 feet long at a large bend in Hulēʻia River.[2][3] It has been deemed "the most significant fishpond on Kauai, both in Hawaiian legends and folklore and in the eyes [of] Kauai's people today. It is so old that its construction is attributed to the Menehunes, a mythical people inhabiting Hawaii before the Hawaiians arrived....Additionally, it is the best example of an inland fishpond in the entire state."[4] It was listed on the U.S. National Register in 1973; the listing included one contributing site and one contributing structure.[1]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. Kirch, Patrick Vinton (1996). "Menehune Fishpond". Legacy of the Landscape: An Illustrated Guide to Hawaiian Archaeological Sites. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 23. ISBN 0-8248-1739-7.
3. Fujimoto, Dennis (July 7, 2020). "New life for Alekoko". The Garden Island. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
4. B. Jean Martin (September 29, 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Menehune Fishpond / Alekoko Fishpond". National Park Service. and accompanying two photos from 1973