Join us we go “holo holo” at the Mauna Lani Resort area! (HoloHolo is just going out and having an adventure!) We take you on a mini adventure to the Mauna Lani Resort, Mauna Lani bay, the ancient fishponds, and a bike ride to Holoholokai Park to see humpback whales and follow the trail to Puako.
We flew over the ancient fishponds, overall known as Kalāhuipua’a. The area actually has seven individual fishponds: Kalahuipua’a, Waipuhi, Waipuhi Iki, Kahinawao, Hope’ala, Manoku and Milokukahi, with Lahuipua’a and Ka’aiopio as divisions of Kalahuipua’a. Kalahuipua’a is the largest pond encompassing 4.6 acres and measuring up to 18 feet (5.5 m) in depth.
Kalāhuipua’a means literally ‘family of pigs,’ but this likely was a saying for ‘abundance of food’ because the fishponds in the area were stocked with lots of mullet, which were sometimes called ‘sea pigs’ in ancient times. Kalāhuipua’a fishpond, the largest in the area, is over four acres large and reaches depths of nearly twenty feet. In ancient times, Kalāhuipua’a fishpond and the others in the area stocked fish for the consumption of the ali’i (royalty). These particular ponds once belonged to Kamehameha the Great. Legend says that servants would transport still-wiggling fish to the house of the ali’i in wet seaweed to ensure utmost freshness.
Learn more here: https://bigislandhikes.com/kalahuipuaa
The trail from the fishponds to the parking lot takes you buy a lava tube cave where a group of ancient Hawaiians once lived.
We always enjoy staying at the Mauna Lani Resort and if you would like to learn more, go here https://aubergeresorts.com/maunalani/
And if you are kamaaina, they have a fantastic rate! (You won’t get ocean front, but you’ll get one of their beautiful rooms!)
A tip: You can purchase a bottle of wine at the gift store and ask for two glasses at the register and go enjoy on the beach. You can also get sandwiches and hot deli food and also go for a picnic on the grounds!
I had a really great time also following a path past the last tree on the southern side of the resort and it takes you to a micro island across a boardwalk bridge. The mullet are everywhere and you feel like you have your own little space to enjoy!
If you are considering a move to Hawaii Island or purchasing real estate, please consider utilizing our services! More info at 365HawaiiLiving.com or email [email protected]