Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center
When Hawai‘i’s last freshwater springs are filled, the fresh and saltwater connection critical to the life cycle of native species is pau.
What We Do
The Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center is a (501)c3 non-profit organization working to protect, preserve, and restore remaining Hawaiian loko i’a, springs, and cultural sites in Maunalua bay. The heritage center currently manages two sites: Kānewai Spring in Kuli’ou’ou and Kalauha’iha’i fishpond in Niu Valley, caring for the native species, community members, and connectivity that feed and flourish in these keystone sites.
In Memoriam ~ 1925 – 2020: Aunty Laura Thompson
(Photo courtesy: NOAA)
Kuleana
Kānewai Spring — protected for generations to come.
The Trust for Public Land and the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center have worked together to purchase and forever protect this fishpond, one of Honolulu’s last natural springs to still provide fresh, clean water to the shore. Kūpuna say that Kānewai Spring is “where the mountain gives birth to the ocean,” because these headwaters flow into Kānewai Fishpond, then to Paikō Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary, and finally Maunalua Bay. When the spring is in poor condition, they all suffer. Once overgrown, dark, and murky – Kānewai Spring and the surrounding land are now brimming with life thanks to seven years of hard work by the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center and hundreds of volunteers. And now, the site is permanently protected and owned/stewarded by the community via the nonprofit Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center.
Kalauhaʻihaʻi
Kalauhaʻihaʻi was the site of King Kamehameha and Queen Kaʻahumanu’s royal kalo patch and former summer home before it was given to Alexander Adams, King Kamehameha’s captain as part of the land grant of Niu. According to a 1975 interview with Mrs. Wayne Pflueger (the Pfluegers are descendants of Captain Adams), the area was known as Kalauhaʻihaʻi. It refers to Queen Ka’ahumanu’s breaking of the kapus when she converted to Christianity. Mrs. Pflueger also mentioned the area was a resting place. A break in the reef directly fronting the pond leads out to sea. According to Mr. Tad Hara, former owner between the early 70’s-mid 90’s, the site was said to have been used by whalers to supply their ships with cold, fresh water. He actively managed the fishpond until the State damaged the artesian water source across the street from the pond and condemned his property. In 2021, Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center worked with Rep. Mark Hashem of the State Legislature to secure $1 million to go to DLNR Engineering Branch for the reconnection and long awaited repair of the water flow at Kalauhaʻihaʻi
Purpose
Nearly all of Hawai‘i’s freshwater springs have disappeared – many filled in for development, ending the fresh and salt water connection that is critical to the life cycle of many native species. In Kuli‘ou‘ou, we had a rare opportunity to permanently protect a fertile estuary that is home to rare freshwater limpets pipiwai and hapawai that cling to the Hawaiian drystack wall lining the spring, ‘ama‘ama (mullet) and āholehole (young Hawaiian flagtail) that feed on the prized green limu ‘ele‘ele that blankets the spring floor, native shrimp ‘opae ‘oeha‘a and ‘opae huna, and endangered ‘ae‘o (Hawaiian stilts) that feed in Kānewai Fishpond. This effort also protects the many cultural sites surrounding the spring including the mākāhā (fishpond sluice gate), and kū‘ula (fishing stone shrine) with an upright Kū stone balanced by a low Hina stone where the fishermen of old would have given offerings asking for a plentiful catch.
Punawai for All
Save Our Loko I`a
Where community and environment thrive together
The Team
Chris Cramer
Founder & Executive Director
Chris is a historian and veteran youth educator who serves as the Executive Director for the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center. Chris co-founded the organization in 2007. At the time, the last Hawaiian fishponds in the region were destined for auction and likely destruction. In 2010 he helped secure passage of Act 210 which protects publicly owned Hawaiian fishponds statewide. With guidance from the last surviving pond keepers from the area, he developed site-specific fishpond programs to serve local schools and community groups. Alongside his fellow board members, he continues to engage community at Kānewai and Kalauha‘iha‘i Fishponds to ensure these special places will thrive.
Angela Correa-Pei
President
Angela is a fifth generation mamo of the Reeves ʻOhana, Kuliʻouʻou kupa’āina since 1912. She grew up hiking in the streams and ridges of the valley, climbing the mango trees in her Tutu & Papa’s yard, crabbing at Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park, and body boarding at Kawaihoa. Angela graduated from the University of Washington and William S. Richardson School of Law in 1999 with a focus on Native Hawaiian Rights and Environmental Law. She has practiced family law most of her career and currently leads the Ola Nā Iwi Family Legal Services Program at the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. Inspired by her kūpuna, Angela has served on the MFHC board since 2008 and remains committed to protecting the natural and cultural resources in Kuliʻouʻou and beyond for future generations.
Tia Brown
Vice President
Born and raised in Niu, O’ahu, Tia grew up hiking the mauka lands of Kuli’ou’ou and Niu and found her love for the ocean, swimming, surfing, fishing, and paddling in the waters of Maunalua Bay. She believes in the power of leading by example and staying true to one’s core values and beliefs. Holding firm to her Hawaiian roots, Tia believes in living basic values of ho‘ihi (respect), ho‘omanawanui (patience), ha‘aha‘a (humility), malama (caring), and ‘imi ‘ike (to seek knowledge), both at home and at work.
Jeannine Johnson
Secretary
Born and raised in Niu, Jeannine’s ‘ohana is from Miloli‘i and have been lawai‘a (fishermen and women) for generations in Kona Hema. A 1976 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Jeannine is passionate about the preservation of Hawaiian culture, its traditions, and language. She works at Queen’s Native Hawaiian Health Program and volunteers her time on several non-profit boards in the East Honolulu community. With 50 years of administrative work experience, Jeannine has utilized her effective organizational and secretarial skills as Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center’s Secretary since 2007.
Diane Warncke
Treasurer
Diane was born and raised in Ohio and moved to Hawaiʻi in 1978. She is a retired registered nurse from The Queen’s Medical Center. Diane holds a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Administration from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Diane has been involved in many community groups with a focus on Hawaiian paddling and healthy waters. She has paddled many years for Hui Nalu Canoe Club and currently serves as the club treasurer. Diane is also a longtime member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. She was part of the third crew who sailed the Hawaiian double-hulled canoe Hawaiʻiloa in Alaska in 1995, and now serves as a Logistics Committee Member for PVS’ major voyages and current deep sea voyages. Diane joined the board in 2016.
Kaui Lucas
Director
Raised initially on Ewa Sugar Plantation, her family moved to Niu, joining many Lucas relatives who have lived in the area for generations. After high school, Kaui spent nine years studying abroad before returning home. Working in residential remodeling allowed Kaui the flexibility to engage deeply with community organizations such as The Contemporary Museum, Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, Angel Network Charities, Kako‘o ‘Oiwi, and The Outdoor Circle. She has been a board member of Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center since its inception. Kaui is passionate about community engagement in rehabilitation and implementation of sustainable resource management rooted in Hawaiian tradition.
Alyssa Miller
Director
Alyssa joined the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center Board of Directors in 2011. She has been actively involved in community-based watershed, coastal and marine projects for over 20 years. An environmental planner, Alyssa has worked on a variety of place-based conservation and restoration initiatives, specializing in long-range planning, project management, and partnership-building among nonprofit, government and private sectors. She holds degrees in natural resource planning, urban planning and geography.
Kimi Makaiau
Director
Kimi was born and raised in Kaipāpa‘u (Ko‘olauloa, O‘ahu), and has called Maunalua home since 2013. Her professional career includes experience in marine resource management, community planning, and Native Hawaiian higher education and training. Currently she serves as a senior researcher and planner at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center. She holds a M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning, and is honored to continue this work in the community that she is raising her family in.
Austin Kino
Director
Born and raised in Maunalua Bay on the south shore of Oʻahu, Austin Kino brings a lifelong connection to the ocean and community service. For the past 16 years, he has volunteered with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, serving in leadership roles including Watch Captain, Rescue Swimmer, and Apprentice Navigator aboard the traditional voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa.
Austin is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Boat Captain and has dedicated the past four years to public safety as a member of the Honolulu Fire Department, where he serves as an Emergency Medical Technician and First Responder with an Ocean Lifeguard Certification.
Revitalizing Hawaiʻi’s Fishponds for Generations to Come.
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center
5975 Kalaniana’ole Highway
Honolulu, HI 96821
For all inquiries please email us at:
Donations
Please consider making a donation to the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center and our efforts to revitalize and rejuvenate Maunalua’s remaining fishponds. Donations are tax-deductible as we are a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved • Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center is a registered 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.