"Solutions not Complaints"
Our Story
Opelu Fishing Wa'a
Ho'okena is the last Hawaiian community to use opelu fishing wa'a to feed their families. The canoes sit on the black sands on the shore of Kauhako Bay waiting for a fisherman to launch in search of fish, opihi, limu, he'e or a'ama. The canoes are not used as much as in the recent past but our organization is in the process of rejuvenating that last vestige of Hawaiian culture which has died out in every other Hawaiian fishing village
Time Area Closure Kauhako Bay
NOAA passed a 50 yd no approach rule to protect the spinner dolphin and are proposing a time area closure where a zone marked off with buoys would prohibit swimmers and vessels from entering from 6am to 3pm. Kauhako Bay is unique as it is the last Hawaiian village to use opelu fishing canoes. NOAA is proposing an exception that would allow Ho'okena fishermen to launch and pass through the zone to fish outside of the bay. NOAA has also proposed to recognize our traditional fishing rights and allow our fishermen to harvest within the zone for personal consumption to feed our families and community.
