"Solutions not Complaints"
KULEANA
SOLUTIONS - NOT COMPLAINTS
Conflict:
In 1996 the Ho'okena community banded together to oppose the unrestricted aquarium fish trade which saw the harvesting of hundreds of thousands of reef fish from the Kona Coast annually. By working with the DLNR, in an effort facilitated by Representative David Tarnas, they succeeded, along with other West Hawaii communities, in designating the Kona Coast as a Fish Management Area and establishing 30 % of the FMA as Fish Replenishment Areas where collecting is prohibited. Although there is still poaching in the FRA, the DLNR is making a strong effort to enforce the law.
Overfishing: Due mainly to a lack of financial resources the DLNR has been unable to efficiently monitor and enforce fishing regulations. This limitation has posed a serious threat to the marine life populating the narrow reef structure and pelagic areas along the Kona coast. The proposed but rejected start of the Super-ferry would have compounded that problem bringing fishermen with their boats from across the state to harvest fish, opihi, and crab, here in Kona.
SOLUTION:
KOA is in the process of developing a management plan that will be proposed as an amendment to the Hoʹokena Fish Replenishment Area. Our efforts to work with as many fishermen and community members as possible to establish a sustainable management plan is a challenge that will determine the future of our families and community
CHALLENGES:
Traditionally, opelu (mackerel scad) were netted using methods passed down through generations that promoted sustainability of this important food source. The observance of seasonal closures and use of vegetable palu were kapu that made sure the koʹa (fish aggregation areas) were productive and viable. However, the absence of the konohiki or head fisherman regulating those kapu has resulted in unacceptable fishing practices driving many lawaiʹa to resort to unconventional fishing techniques and compelling them to travel long distances to harvest a diminishing resource. The days of filling your hatch with one drop of the net are past. Today fishermen travel miles looking for for enough opelu to fill a large cooler.
'OPELU CANOE FISHING
When the land at Kauhakō was taken from the ohana, the canoes had become their way of saying “we are still part of this ʹaina. We still live and fish here.”
For the past thirty years the ohana has put on a fishing tournament exclusively using those canoes. Canoe fishing is not easy, the craft are rolled down to the shore for launching and pulled up on the beach after a day of fishing. They are heavy and require a strong person or persons to do this.
Ho'okena is the last Hawaiian village to continuously use opelu fishing canoes to harvest the i'a in our fishing grounds. KOA is making a strong effort to ensure that the wa'a will be a part of the community for generations to come.
