Ecotourism, as defined by the International Ecotourism Society, is: "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people." According to the Australian Commission on National Ecotourism Strategy, ecotourism is: "nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable."
The Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe, Oahu, offers an unforgettable ecotourism experience for tourists as well as locals through its spectacular scenery and freshwater fishing program. Catch and release is practiced.
Question: What kinds of fishes are there to catch?
Answer: Besides various kinds of tilapia and cichlids, there are smallmouth bass, grass carp, and channel catfish.
Q: Is a fishing license required?
A: A freshwater game fishing license is NOT required.
Q: Do I need to bring fishing equipment?
A: Bamboo (cane) poles are typically provided. These come equipped with lines, floaters (bobbers), and hooks. Check with the Visitor Center.
You may want to bring your own bamboo (cane) pole just in case, or a rod and reel. Fly casting is not allowed. However, a casting bubble could be used to cast flies.
Q: Can fresh (live) bait be used?
A: Yes. Bread is commonly used for tilapia, but corn kernels and doughballs also work. Larger tilapia can also be caught with crickets and small artificial lures such as crankbaits (plugs).
The smaller smallmouth bass, about 8-9 inches long, will bite bread and small artificial lures. Larger smallmouth bass (12-21 inches long) are caught on an array of baits such as earthworms, aku belly (tuna), bread, slices of fish, and crickets. Some anglers catch tilapia or mosquito fish at the reservoir and use them as bait for the smallmouth bass. Typical catfish baits can be used for the channel catfish.
Q: How about artificial lures?
A: As is common elsewhere, the smallmouth bass can be caught on a myriad of artifiical lures such as crankbaits (plugs), jigs, grubs, jerkbaits, poppers, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, spoons, in-line spinners, propbaits, buzzbaits, and so on.
Q: When are fishing times?
A: Fishing is allowed every weekend--Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The gate to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden opens daily at 9:00 am. The botanical garden is closed on Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1).
Q: What other wildlife is there?
A: A diverse array of other aquatic creatures can be found in the reservoir including grass carp, koi, turtles, frogs, crayfish, and freshwater clams. There are several kinds of birds including native Hawaiian birds (for example, Hawaiian coot) and ducks.
Q: How do I get to Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden?
A: Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is located in Kaneohe (45-680 Luluku Road) and can be reached from either Likelike Highway (Anoi Road) or Kamehameha Highway (Luluku Road). There is ample parking at the Visitor Center's parking lot which was recently repaved and had handicap ramps installed. Ph. (808) 233-7323.
Q: How do I get to the fishing area?
A: The Visitor Center provides information and a map of the garden showing the reservoir. It is a 15 to 20-minute leisurely walk from the Visitor Center down to the reservoir. Follow the red fish-shaped signs showing you the way.
Fishing is allowed only on the north side of the reservoir below the dam. Designated areas for fishing are marked by signs. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located at the Visitor Center and near a pavilion located on the way down to the reservoir.
Q: What things should I bring?
A: The weather can be rainy at times so bring some kind of raingear such as a raincoat, poncho, or umbrella. Polaroid sunglasses help you to see the fish, and a hat offers protection from the sun and rain. Bring some food, snacks, and water although there are some water jugs available at the fishing area. First aid kits are also available there, but you may want to bring your own mini-kit consisting of a few items such as band-aids, antibiotic cream, and anti-itch cream. Mosquito repellant and sunscreen are a must. Have comfortable walking shoes, especially since the ground and grass are sometimes wet and muddy.
A plier or hemostat is handy to remove hooks from the fish's mouth or throat, and a glove for handling the fish.
Links
Hawaii Fishing News, publication
Hawaii's Native & Exotic Freshwater Animals, book
BassFishin.Com. Your one-stop source for bass fishing information.
The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide
Division of Aquatic Resources, Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii