Kimokeo Kapahulehua works on the fishpond wall. Photo by Joylynn Paman.

KIHEI – On Saturday, Jan. 7, at 8 a.m., ‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui (Association of the Fishponds of Maui) and Valley Isle Road Runners will host the fourth annual Ko’ie’ie Fishpond 5K Fun Run.

The community is invited to participate in this race. Proceeds will benefit the restoration and education programs for Ko’ie’ie Fishpond in Kihei.

The course will begin at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary parking lot at 726 South Kihei Road. Participants will head toward Maalaea on South Kihei Road.

The course will turn around close to the new Lahaina/Kahului intersection and head back to the sanctuary office’s parking lot on a beautiful one-and-a-half-mile beach run.

“The race reminds me of Makoa, a great runner in ancient Hawaiian myths, who could run great distances with a bundle of live fish gathered from a fishpond, such as ours, and deliver them to a king miles away alive,” said Joylynn Paman, executive director of ‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui.

“Legend says that he ran so swiftly that the back of his malo flew straight out. I look forward to seeing some swift runners on January 7th.”

To register for the event, go to the Valley Isle Road Runners’ website at www.VIRR.com. Registration will be $25 for adults and $20 for youth under 18 years old.

There will be awards for different divisions, and participants will receive an ‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui T-shirt.

For more information on the race, contact Rudy Huber at (808) 280-5801.

For more information about the restoration of Ko’ie’ie Fishpond and ‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui, visit www.mauifishpond.com or e-mail Joylynn Paman at koieie@mauifishpond.com.