Menehune Fishpond (Alekoko Fishpond)

The Menehune Fishpond is an important part of Hawaii’s Kauai island. Visiting the Menehune Fishpond in Kauai? Find out how to get to Menehune Fishpond (Alekoko Fishpond).

Menehune Fishpond (Alekoko Fishpond or Nimalu Pond)

What is the Menehune Fishpond?

The Menehune Fishpond is a highly important American landmark. Said to be built nearly 1000 years ago, the pond, also known as Alekoko Fishpond or Nimalu Pond, has been listed as an item on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973!

Kauai is full of fascinating attractions and the Menehune Fishpond is one of them. For a full list of attractions, check out our essential Kauai guide, which features all the amazing attractions you can visit in the Garden Isle.

Menehune Fishpond at Sunset

The fishpond is especially important because the indigenous people of Hawaii used this pond to catch fish, which is one of the most prominent examples of Hawaiian aquaculture practice. It is probably the most significant example of an inland fishpond in the entire state.

Menehune Fishpond

Menehune Fishpond is often said to be legendary because of the famous myth of Menehune, a group of mischievous little people who had amazing engineering skills. It was said that the Menehune people lived in the forest, hidden from the humans of Hawaii. The fishpond is named after the Menehune people, because legend has it that the Menehune people built the fishpond overnight.

Menehune Fishpond

How do I visit the Menehune Fishpond?

The best way to visit the Menehune Fishpond is by car (this is also the only realistic way of getting around Kauai, unless you’re good to spend hundreds of dollars on taxis! 

Menehune Fishpond

• From Lihue, Menehune Fishpond is about a 10-minute drive via HI-50W and Halehaka Road.

• From Kapa’a, Menehune Fishpond is about a 25-minute drive via Hi-46 S and HI-51 S.

Driving is the best way to get to Menehune Fishpond

Parking at the Menehune Fishpond is on the side of the road and is super easy to find. The bays may be occupied, but visitors don’t tend to stay too long here, so just keep circling until someone leaves their parking bay.

Parking is easy at Menehune Fishpond

 

What is the best time to visit Menehune Fishpond?

The Menehune Fishpond is great to look at, at any time of the day, but the pond is especially scenic during sunset time. During sunset, the sun’s rays reflect off the pond’s waters in a particular way that makes it look stunning.

Menehune Fishpond

Taking photos at Menehune Fishpond

Because the Menehune is such a scenic place, you won’t take a bad picture around the area. We just thought we’d add a hot tip to fly your drone here if you have one – it looks so different from up above! Our pictures turned out amazing.

Drone shots of Menehune Fishpond

Drone shots of Menehune Fishpond

Planning on visiting the beautiful island of Kauai? Check out our essential Kauai guide, the only Kauai guide you’ll ever have to read!

Have you visited the Menehune Fishpond? Did you enjoy your visit? Let us know in the comments below!