Mayor signs bill ensuring preservation, public access to Kaua‘i fishpond

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami on Wednesday signed Bill. No 2890, ensuring the preservation and public access to Halulu Fishpond on the North Shore.

“Bill No. 2890 culminates years of work by the Waipā Foundation, Trust for Public Lands, Open Space Commissioners, Kaua‘i County Council, County staff, and the support of the State of Hawai‘i Legacy Land Conservation Fund, and the State Legislature,” said Mayor Kawakami. “This ensures that the Waipā Foundation will fulfill its vision to permanently own and manage Halulu Fishpond as an important resource and living-learning center.”

Under Bill No. 2890, $850,000 of the Public Access, Open Space And Natural Resources Preservation Fund was approved for the Waipā Foundation to acquire the Halulu Fishpond and its access formerly owned by the Waioli Corporation. In addition, the County will secure a conservation easement to benefit and protect that resource in perpetuity.

An additional $450,000 of funding was also secured from the State of Hawai‘i Legacy Land Conservation Fund and State Legislature.

The acquisition guarantees that the properties/lands adjacent to the fishpond are not developed and instead protected in perpetuity through development restrictions along with the fishpond, which will bolster Waipā Foundation’s ability to continue hold programming and steward the entire region.