Nonprofit is new owner of Kauai’s last
fishpond
HONOLULU (AP) — A Kauai nonprofit now owns the island’s last remaining Hawaiian fishpond thanks to a private donation and the Trust for Public Land.
The 102-acre Alakoko Fishpond dates back 600 years. Its owners put the property on the market for $3 million, Hawaii Public Radio reported.
The new owner is Malama Hule‘ia, a nonprofit that has been restoring the fishpond for the last four years.
The Trust for Public Land fundraised and secured a donation from Chan Zuckerberg Kauai Community Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation.
The trust then bought the property and conveyed it to Malama Hule‘ia. The deed ensures the fishpond will be used for conservation and Native Hawaiian education, aquaculture, and stewardship.
The trust didn’t say how much it paid for the property. A trust representative didn’t immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press on Friday.
Sara Bowen, Malama Hule‘ia’s leader, said the top priority is repairing fishpond’s 2,700 feet (823 meter)-long wall with the ultimate goal of having Alakoko once again be a source of healthy local food.
Lawsuits claim companies
are misusing Hawaii brand
HONOLULU (AP) — A food distributor in Hawaii has filed a federal lawsuit against a dairy company because milk from the mainland is allegedly being sold under a name that advertises local ties.
The lawsuit filed by Hawaii Foodservice Alliance claims Meadow Gold Dairies is selling milk from California alongside advertising that says “Hawaii’s Dairy” and “Made with Aloha,” the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday.
The lawsuit says the company has no cows in Hawaii and their “Lani Moo” mascot is misleading.
Meadow Gold has long sold milk produced in Hawaii. The company was sold in April 2020 to Bahman Sadeghi, a Big Island dairy farmer, who allegedly began using milk from outside the state. Meadow Gold did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
In a similar but unrelated case, a federal judge recently tossed out a lawsuit against California-based King’s Hawaiian, which produces sweet rolls.
Hawaii Public Radio reports King’s Hawaiian was sued because their label features the words “Established 1950” and “Hilo, Hawaii” in reference to the company’s founding.
