The Kumuola Marine Science Education Center encompasses three loko iʻa: Waiāhole, Kapalaho, and Waiʻōpio, but is part of a broader complex of loko iʻa within both the ahupuaʻa of Waiākea and the ʻili kūpono of Honohononui. A compilation of two maps from 1923 and 1932 show the complex prior to the construction of Kalanianaʻole Street, which impacted multiple loko iʻa through infilling for the road base that now connects Hilo town in the west to Lehia in the east.
This map compilation identifies multiple loko iʻa and wahi pana in both the ʻili kūpono of Honohononui and the ahupuaʻa of Waiākea. Named loko iʻa from ma uka (inland, at the bottom of the picture) to ma kai (seaward, at the top of the picture) include: Hauna, Lokoaka (Lokowaka), Akahi, Waiʻōpio, Waiāhole, Kiʻonakapahu, Kapalaho and Haleolono. Infrastructure improvements, increased development, changes in land tenure, the introduction of invasive species and climate change have altered both the appearance and function of some of these loko iʻa. Our journey of reclamation involves understanding how these spaces were originally engineered to function, evaluating the impacts of complex historical changes, making and executing calculated rehabilitation plans, and monitoring the impacts of our work and adjusting accordingly. Kumuola embraces this journey with our learners and community, ʻaʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia! Map coloration courtesy of K. Hasegawa.