Travels of the ʻAmaʻama & Awa

Kuapā fish pond (Keahupua o Maunalua) is the largest fish pond of the kuapā type in Hawaiʻi. Kuapā is a fish pond separated only by a wall built on the reef. Kuapā type fish ponds were more common than the Puʻuone type fish ponds discussed in a previous post. Puʻuone type fish ponds were near shore; however, separated by a section or strip of land from the ocean or body of water. Not just by a wall.

Kuapā fish pond was said to be connected to Kaʻelepulu fish pond in Kailua on the Koʻolau side of Oʻahu. ʻAmaʻama and awa were known to travel between these two ponds on the opposite sides of the Koʻolau mountain range via an underground tunnel.

When the ʻamaʻama fish disappeared from Kuapā pond they appeared in Kaʻelepulu pond. At the same time, the awa fish disappeared from Kaʻelepule and appeared in Kuapā. When the ʻamaʻama reappeared in Kuapā, the awa would disappear.

This same observation was made in more recent years by some of the Japanese fisherman who leased Kuapā pond. McAllister, Archeology of Oʻahu