HECO Grants $25K To Waikalua Loko

Investing in a fishpond today means striving for high-tech monitoring, as well as following cultural practices and raising fish.

To that end, Hawaiian Electric Co. awarded a $25,000 grant to Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society last month to buy a state-of-the-art surveillance system for the Kaneohe pond, in addition to wall construction materials.

“Not only is theft of property a concern, but also illegal fish poaching,” said fishpond coordinator Rosalyn “Roz” Conception. “This surveillance system will alert us and even take a photo of the intruder.”

Noting the recent theft of nearly all of its tools, Conception added that “growth and circumstances have brought us to a place where the security of our property, equipment and staff is imperative to the continued growth and prosperity of Waikalua Loko I‘a.”

Grant support for construction will go to buy moss rock, which is preferred for the traditional dry-stacking method of widening the walls.

Donations still are welcome to help replace stolen equipment; visit waikalualokofishpond.org.