Nu'upia Ponds

Nu'upia Ponds

Nu'upia Ponds, located on O'ahu's Mokapu Peninsula, are a network of ancient and modern fishponds rich in Hawaiian legend and ecological importance. Once used for traditional aquaculture, the ponds now serve as protected wetlands and provide critical habitat for endangered native birds like the Hawaiian black-necked stilt. Although located within a Marine Corps base, their cultural and environmental significance continues to be recognized and preserved.

Nu'upia Ponds, Oahu

The Nu'upia Ponds are located on the Mokapu Peninsula on Oahu's southwestern shore. Many ancient legends tell of this peninsula and the ponds. One of the legends says that it was here where the first man was created out of the red and bluish-black soil by the Hawaiian gods Kane, Kaneloa, Ku and Lono. In the Hawaiian language, mokapu means “sacred district.” Many old Hawaiian sand burial sites have been excavated here.

Another legend tells of a boy named Puniakai'a (“devoted to fish”) who often times went fishing for parrotfish here. One of the fish he caught and tamed was Uhumaka'ika'i, meaning “the parent of all fish.” This fish was home here at the Nu'upia fishpond and it became the boy's companion.

In the old Hawaii, there were three ponds here that separated the peninsula from the island. They were Nu'upia, Halekou and Kaluapuhi. Some of their old dividing walls still remain their shape, but today, there are eight ponds: Nu'upia Ekahi, Nu'upia Elua, Nu'upia Ekolu, Nu'upia Eha, Halekou, Heleloa, Pa'akai and Kaluapuhi.

The three original ponds are believed to date back to between 1300-1600 A.D. The ponds were later subdivided by Chinese fishermen who leased the ponds to raise mullet and milkfish here. Today, the ponds are part of the 482-acre Nu'upia Ponds Wildlife Management Area. Since the ponds are located within the Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station, one has to get permission first to access the site.


Key Features of Nu'upia Ponds

  • Ancient origin: Some of the original fishponds date back to between 1300 and 1600 A.D., used by early Hawaiians for aquaculture and salt gathering.
  • Ecological habitat: The ponds support the endangered Hawaiian black-necked stilt (kukuluae'o) and other wetland species.
  • Hawaiian legends: Site of myths about the creation of the first man and tales of the tamed fish Uhumaka'ika'i.
  • Military-managed access: Located within Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe; special permission is required for direct access.
  • Visible from the roadside: While access is restricted, the ponds are viewable from Kaneohe Bay Drive and H-3 intersection.


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Reviews and Comments:
 
it is almost on the northwest section of the island. but in any case the place is a mess and you don't want to go too deep into it. it is not stable.
Vincent Eblacas, Sun Feb 18, 2018
 
Cave is right before Ka'ena State Park sign. Still a great place to see.
Mango808, Wed Sep 13, 2017
 
I don't know what the other reviews are talking about. There is absolutely no cave there. I have ran, walked, hiked, and even swam in the ponds and there is no cave at all. They must be thinking of some other place.
David Ghramm , Sat Feb 18, 2017
 
This is a sacred site but has been badly desecrated; graffiti on the walls, bad urine smell, and rubbish abound. The opening to the cave is huge though and you can't miss it if you're going in the town-bound direction (or looking in the rear view mirror when going out there) because the cave is on the north western face of the hillside right off the road. Please show respect people
G P, Wed Feb 03, 2016
 
In 1994 my then boyfriend (a local boy) and I went into the cave. I had no clue of it's history. About 1/2 way in we heard a child talking in a different language, further in there were two conversing, we were alone. He said, "do you hear that"?! I said knock it off I'm sure there are kids on top of the cliff or outside. We began walking out, at 1/2 way out it was only the one child's voice again. He exclaimed, " You hear that right, see I told you"! We got outside the cave, it was a sheer mountain, no cliff and ABSOLUTLEY no one near. I was a true believer in all the spirits and legands after that experience and many more that followed during the 8 years of living on the island.
Tammy Pearce, Fri Nov 07, 2014
 
"Southwestern" shore- NO!!! on the windward side, more like northeastern in direction, but north-south-east-west directions do not work here!

The Sierra Club of Oahu joins with Marine Environmental Dept the second Saturday of each even-numbered month to perform service projects to maintain a welcoming habitat for migrating native birds
Joanna Alexander, Sat Aug 11, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

🦆What makes Nu'upia Ponds ecologically important?

The ponds provide nesting and feeding habitat for the endangered Hawaiian black-necked stilt and other wetland birds.

🐟Were these ponds used for aquaculture?

Yes, ancient Hawaiians used the ponds to cultivate fish, and later Chinese fishermen subdivided them to raise mullet and milkfish.

📍Where are Nu'upia Ponds located?

They are on O'ahu's Mokapu Peninsula, within Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe, near Kaneohe Bay Drive and the H-3 freeway.

🔒Can the public visit Nu'upia Ponds?

Access is restricted because the ponds are located within a military base. Permission is required, though some parts are visible from public roads.

🪨What legends are associated with this area?

One legend says the first man was created here from Mokapu's soil by the gods Kane, Kanaloa, Ku, and Lono. Another tells of a boy who befriended a magical parrotfish.