
Kauai's Menehune Mysteries

Alekoko Fishpond
Located just south of Lihue along the Huleia River, Alekoko Fishpond is a stunning example of ancient aquaculture and shrouded in mystery to this day. Commonly referred to as the Menehune Fishpond, archeologists believe the site was constructed 1,000 years ago and that the stones used in its construction came from more than 25 miles away. The wall that separates the fishpond from the river is more than 900 feet long and 5-feet high. Today the Menehune Fishpond is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but an explanation of its construction remains a mystery. The Menehune Fishpond overlook is located on Hulemalu road, about one-half mile from the Nawilili Boat Harbor. Anytime is a great time to pull over and see this Menehune feat of engineering, but sunset is particularly beautiful. [caption id="attachment_3554" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Kikiaola Ditch
Another structure with mysterious Menehune ties on Kauai is the Kikiaola irrigation ditch located in Waimea. While ancient Hawaiians are known for their stone crafted irrigation systems for growing taro, the Menehune ditch is a fascinating archeological find because of the type and cut of stone used to create it. Instead of uncut or roughly shaped lava rock, the Menehune ditch is constructed of finely carved basalt stones. It is an ancient construction method not seen anywhere else in Hawaii, and archaeologists have predated its construction before the 14th-century Tahitian Voyagers arrival in Hawaii. [caption id="attachment_3555" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Menehune Practices in Action
We may not have a team of mythical Menehune craftsmen to complete tremendous feats of engineering overnight, but we are proud to keep the tradition of innovation in Hawaiian agriculture and irrigation alive on our farm. We're pleased to be the largest drip irrigation coffee estate in the world, with over 2,500 miles of drip tubing. Our efficient drip irrigation system applies water and fertilizers directly to the roots of the trees, so we do not have to spray or dust fertilizer on our coffee farm.
