Mission

The removal of mangrove and replanting native species at Nōmilu fishpond project is underway and has been funded by the United State Department of 

Agriculture (U.S.D.A.).

Mangrove is a highly invasive alien species . The overgrowth of mangrove is a problem for most all of the Hawaiian fishponds. It decreases water quality by depositing large amounts of organic material into the pond. This organic material results in nutrient loading and anoxia, sedimentation and hypersalinization.

 A takeover by mangroves can result in the loss of native species richness and diversity. After removal of the mangrove, Kauai Sea Farm will be planting a variety of native species including marketable edible plants such as the native akulikuli. 

The Nōmilu fishpond and surrounding property is totally off the grid. The farm operations are all solar powered with 84 kW of back-up batteries and a 9 kW back-up generator. 

The solar system is monitored and operated over the web as are all solar powered security cameras. The system is designed to be expanded as operations grow.

  The Nōmilu fishpond’s ocean water sources (auwai – channels that connect the pond to the ocean) were cut-off for a period of 25 years after the coastline was hit by the Iniki Hurricane in 2001.

Removing sand and debris from the auwai reestablished the pond's water exchange system.  The pond thrived again after only one year of the auwai being opened. The fishpond is now healthy, rich with algae and teeming with shoreline fishes including: mullet, barracuda, moi, ulua, papio, tilapia.

Future restoration projects include re-establishing the makaha (gate) system at the auwai.   At high tide,  mature fish in the pond taste the incoming sea water and will swim into the channels. A gate at the ocean end of the channel will prevent them from escaping. Another gate at the pond side of the channel is closed shut as soon as there are enough fish to harvest. Fish are then easily harvested with a scoop net. 

Importing of seed clams into Hawaii is not allowed.  Having our own hatchery and nursery ensures an on-going and regular supply of clams for grow-out in Nōmilu fishpond.The Kauai Sea Farm hatchery and nursery are essential for it’s operation.

Kauai Sea Farm is the only producer of  the hard shell clam Mercenaria mercenaria in Hawaii. Nōmilu fishpond was the first-ever certified shellfish grower in the state of Hawaii.  Mercenaria mercenaria were introduced into the Nōmilu fishpond in the early 1960’s as part of a project conducted by Anuenue Fisheries. This species of clam thrived in the Nōmilu fishpond.

Kauai Sea Farm has a relationship with Global Algae, a local Kauai company to grow out our algae cultures used in our nursery and hatchery.

The water exchange between Nōmilu fishpond and the ocean,  historically aided in making the fishing along the adjacent shoreline healthy and abundant. 

The algae in the pond that is released into the ocean attracts shoreline fish.  Since the opening of the Nōmilu auwai, local fisherman have reported seeing and catching more local varieties of fish than in years past.

The shoreline along the Nōmilu property has always been a resting place for endangered Hawaiian Monk seals and Green Sea turtles. Great feeding grounds and the isolation of the property is ideal for these animals.  They are able to rest along Nōmilu’s sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings without any disturbance from humans. 

Kauai Sea Farm works with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatics Division helping to identify and report any injured or diseased animals. DLNR personnel visit Nōmilu regularly to check on tagged and marked animals.