Hawaiian residents voice concerns over aquaculture project

The aquaculture company Hawaii Oceanic Technology's plan to develop a 12-cage commercial ahi farm 4.18 kilometres off the North Kohala coast of Big Island, Hawaii raises environmental concern among the community.

The Honolulu-based company's submerged ahi farm would span 247 acres off Malae Point.

Ahi, including both bigeye and yellowfin tuna, would be raised on land in tanks until the fish reach a foot in length and weigh about five pounds. The fish would then be transferred to submerged, self-powered, untethered cages the company calls Oceanspheres that are projected to produce more than 6,000 tonnes of fish annually.

Residents along the coast complained they do not have adequate information in reference to aqua farming and questioned the impacts the industry might have on their island.

The fish farm is said to have violated 1904 and 1906 Hawaii Supreme Court rulings that protect the rights of the makaainana - the people whose ancestors lived in the area - to Hawaii's lands and ocean, according to the Kanaka Council Moku O Keawe.

Nonetheless, Hawaii is the only state in the US where open ocean aquaculture is permitted. "Hawaii is helping to develop national standards for aquaculture. The work here is pioneering," said an official.