"I'm really tired, Mom," my 12-year-old said with a yawn, stretching his 5-foot-6 frame across the pune'e. "Can't you go by yourself?"

"E kala mai (sorry), but did I hear you correctly?" I paused, looking up from where I was rooting through a kitchen cabinet. "Please tell me I'm getting a little kuli or deaf."

I was exasperated that morning. I had been coordinating a workday event at Waikalua Loko fishpond in Kane'ohe, where I've volunteered for the past five years.

My 'ohana will usually join me for the day since "giving back" is a value I want my keiki to emulate.

Waikalua Loko is about 350 years old and 11 acres. It's small compared with other fishponds that could reach several hundred acres.

This loko kuapa, or shoreline fishpond, was exclusive to ali'i in ancient times.

It was used to raise herbivorous fish and to feed the chiefs and their attendants.

Many of these ancient ponds were filled in the 1940s to pave the way for subdivisions.

Waikalua Loko has avoided development and is being renovated and maintained by a group of volunteers.

"Listen, son," I said. "Mom needs your kokua and so does the fishpond."

"Why do I have to go?" he whined. "I'm going to be the only kid there!"

Instead of squabbling, I told him a story about one of our volunteers who has dedicated his life to fishpond preservation.

Uncle Fred was raised on a fishpond in Kane'ohe. Every day, Uncle Fred and his siblings would load onto the family skiff and chug across the bay to school. His father would drop the kids off at the wharf, where they would trudge a mile inland to Benjamin Parker School. When the school day was over, they would make their way home, crossing over the walls of Waikalua Loko fishpond.

Fishponds and fishing are in his blood.

"Sometimes my dad would keep me home from school," Uncle Fred said with a chuckle. "So I could help harvest and sell fish for him. The fishpond was our livelihood."

Uncle Fred is fondly referred to as our resident kupuna. He volunteers his time at Waikalua Loko to maintain the fishpond and surrounding area.

"You know, babe," I said to my 12-year-old. "Uncle Fred is passionate about his volunteer work at Waikalua Loko. I hope that one day you will be equally committed to volunteer service."

"Yeah, he walks on water," my 16-year-old said, plopping on the couch.

Reach Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Hono-lulu, HI 96802; fax 525-8055; or ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com.