The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is located on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island. However, a lot of people don't know the Hawaii hotel fronts a culturally significant fishpond from ancient Hawaii.
The story goes that King Kamehameha I ruled the Kohala and Kona Coast and came upon this serene place that offered fresh water supply and natural fishponds. Channels were cut to the sea and wooden gates were built across the openings, in order to catch fish. These gates allowed small fish to enter the pond and feed on lush vegetation. Becoming too large to fit back through the wooden gates, the fish found themselves confined to the pond where they were nurtured and netted. King Kamehameha I would rest and eat beside these fishponds while traveling from Kohala to Kona by foot. Also, interesting is that the Hawaiians were the first to develop this type of aquaculture.
The fishpond has been preserved and guests can easily visit it from our hotel while learning a little more about Hawaiian history.
