Hawaii's wetlands are one of the richest ecosystem that provide a habitat for many native species, migratory birds, and four endangered water birds. During ancient Hawaiian days, Kaelepulu Pond was a thriving wetland made up of a huge fishpond with bubbling spring water.

Wetland refers to shallow bodies of standing water that may be permanent, temporary or intermittent. Wetlands can contain either fresh, brackish, or salt water.
	Some scientists believe that a wetland needs to fulfill three criteria: support water plants, called hydrophytes, be covered by shallow water sometime during the year, and have soil that is very moist.
Wetlands are called by other names such as bogs, swamps, and marshes. In Hawaii, bogs occur at higher elevations and are described as spongy, with poorly drained soil. Swamps are characterized by the presence of trees, while marshes have a lot of sedges and grasses with trees growing on the edges of the wetland.
	In Hawaii, we have some man-made wetlands called taro patches, prawn ponds, and fishponds.