Salt ponds are unique geological features that are shallow in order to produce salts from the evaporation of sea water. The seawater is fed into the ponds and water is drawn out through natural evaporation which allows the salt to be subsequently harvested. The conditions need to be just right to harvest salt. You need to have an ideal geological formation of the shallow ponds at an optimal elevation, all in a relatively arid climate. Season begins when summer starts and ends when the rains come. During a good season you can start around May and finish in September. The amount of salt you can harvest from one season really depends on everything nature provides sun, clay, ocean salt, brine shrimp, and ocean tides.
Three types of Hawaiian salt are made from these salt ponds, slowly and by hand. The White, which is used as coarse table salt. The famous Hawaiian Pink (which according to the old traditions kept here is never sold and can only be gifted) which is used for the luau pig roasts, and the Red salt. The color comes from an edible clay in the mountains, which is dug and brought in by hand. When the pits are dug, they are lined with smooth rocks and then warm sea water from deep wells is poured over them. As it warms, the water evaporates leaving the salt crystals behind. When the salt is ready to be harvested, all work is halted and everyone from the small keikos to the grandparents come lend a hand. About 5-five-gallon pails per week can be harvested during the season.
Rights to process the salt are handed down each generation and sometimes families can be seen working their salt beds, preserving this great piece of Hawaiian culture. The salt patch is made out of just a few different families. Each family has their own section within the patch. You must stay within the area assigned to you as this area was passed down from generation to generation. You are not allowed to farm salt in someone else’s area without permission from the Hui nor can you start your own section without permission.
Please note - You will need permission from a salt maker in order to enter the pond. So please be respectful of that and only observe from the posted coordinates (unless you are invited for a closer look while you are there).
To log this Earth cache you must complete THREE mandatory and one optional assignments:
Send me the answers to the 3 following questions via email or message, but don't mention the answers in your log:
1. Why does the pond need to be so shallow to create the salt?
2. About how many separate salt harvest areas do you see from your vantage point?
3. What color is the clay that the salt ponds are made from and why does this matter?
4. THIS IS OPTIONAL. In your log, post a picture of you with the salt ponds in the background. Log only when you can upload your picture at the same time.
I hope you enjoyed your informative trip to the Salt Beds of Hanapepe!
Source: http://totakeresponsibility.blogspot.com/2012/04/hanapepe-salt-ponds.html