Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center

Hawai‘i was once home to nearly 500 fishponds, or loko i‘a, vital food sources that declined after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Today, restoration efforts are reviving the few that remain. The Trust for Public Land and Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center have partnered to protect Kanewai Spring, “where the mountain gives birth to the ocean,” and have asked for our help in envisioning its future.

Our ‘āina-based design approach honors the deep connection between the people of Hawai‘i and their land through the principle of Aloha ‘Āina. By integrating this philosophy, we can create a space that meets community needs while fostering healing, connection, and resilience for generations to come.