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Lawaia Ohana Camp promotes sustainable fishing practices

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor
Photography by Karin Stanton and Sam Birch | The Kohala Center

The first of its kind family fishing camp gave more than a dozen youngsters something special to write about when they get that dreaded back-to-school assignment: What Did You Do This Summer?

Last week, 15 Big Island youth ages 10 to 15 and their families were invited to camp at Kaupulehu Interpretive Center at Kalaemano, a historical fishing area to learn about sustainable approaches to preserving and managing Hawaii’s marine life.

Under the guidance of are kupuna, they learned how to make and use a throw-net just like Hawaiians learned from Japanese immigrants, how to prepare and rig a bamboo pole, to identify the fish they catch, weave baskets to keep the fish fresh plus how to clean and cook them.

Ethan Macanas, a 12-year-old Kamehameha Schools student, came from Hilo with his parents, Michelle and Galen.

“This is very cool. The more important thing to learn is how we can take care of the ocean and the land,” he said. “We’ve learned how to rig poles and throw nets. I’m still learning, but I’m getting the techniques and how to make it a big circle. It’s kind of hard.”

Ethan was looking forward to putting his new knowledge into practice.

“We’re going to learn how to clean them and cook them,” he said.

The best part? “Eating ’em,” he said.

Michelle Macanas said she was pleased her son is learning traditional methods and values.

“Overall it’s tying it all together, from mauka to makai,” she said. “And I like the fact that we’ll eat what we catch this week.”

In addition to all the fun, the youngsters learned about sustainable fishing methods including traditional Hawaiian systems, how to take care of our reefs and monitor water quality, and mauka-makai resource relationships and management.

On the fourth and final day, they put their bamboo pole fishing skills to the test in a fishing derby.

Cindi Punihaole, The Kohala Center volunteer coordinator, said it has long been a dream of hers to replicate the retreats her halau planned for the youth.

“Not all knowledge is learned in one school,” she said. “This kind of program brings all the threads together to weave a beautiful fabric. It’s honoring your past and enriching your future.”

Punihaole said the knowledge the families shared and learned will last longer than the four-day camp.

“They are excited and enthusiastic,” she said. “The things they’ll take away, they will remember and use in all their lives.”

The camp, sponsored by The Kohala Center and Hawaii Fish Trust, likely will be offered again.

Melissa Bos, director of Conservation International’s Hawaii marine program, said she hopes the kids take home the message that if you take care of the ocean, the ocean will take care of you.

“The future of the ocean really is in their hands, for good or for bad,” she said. “I’m really inspired by them, that they chose to spend their vacation here. It gives me a lot of hope for the future.”

— Find out more:
The Kohala Center: www.kohalacenter.org/fishcamp
Hawaii Fish Trust: www.conservation.org/sites/marine/initiatives/fisheries/hawaii/pages/hawaii.aspx

One Response to “Lawaia Ohana Camp promotes sustainable fishing practices”

  1. Bebe says:

    What a fantastic opportunity for these children. Mahalo nui loa for your generosity in making this available to the children, and their families.

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