Day 111: Kaho’olawe Island Reserve, Wailuku, Hawai’i

📌APIA Every Day (111) - Situated on the island of Wailuku, Hawai’i, the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve, the smallest of the eight main volcanic islands of the Hawaiian Islands, holds rich historical and cultural significance. It is said that the island is the physical embodiment of the Hawai’ian god of the sea, Kanaloa, who took the form of an octopus to represent the island. Archaeological findings suggest early Hawaiian settlement dating back to 400 A.D., with evidence indicating the island's role as a navigational hub, adze quarry, agricultural center, and site for religious ceremonies. Despite its historical importance, Kahoʻolawe has faced challenges, including erosion and sparse population due to limited freshwater sources. Over time, it served various purposes, from a brief period as a penal colony to its eventual use as a U.S. Navy bombing range.

During World War II and beyond, Kahoʻolawe served as a training ground for American military preparing for the War in the Pacific. After the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, martial law was declared in Hawaii, and Kahoʻolawe became a site for training soldiers and Marines. The island's use as a bombing range introdfuced new type of warfare in the Pacific Islands. Following World War II, military training on Kahoʻolawe continued, with mock-ups of airfields, military camps, and vehicles being constructed for training purposes. During the Korean War, the island played a role in training pilots for attacking enemy targets. Similar training occurred during the Cold War and the Vietnam War, with mock-ups of various military installations placed across the island.

In response to growing concerns, efforts arose to reclaim Kahoʻolawe, culminating in legal action by the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (PKO) group in 1976. Despite setbacks, activists like Walter Ritte emerged as leaders in the movement for Hawaiian rights and environmental conservation. In 1993, Senator Daniel Inouye initiated the transfer of Kahoʻolawe and its surrounding waters to Hawai’i, aiming for environmental restoration and cultural preservation. This led to the establishment of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, responsible for overseeing the area for future Native Hawaiian management. Restoration efforts have focused on erosion control, vegetation reestablishment, and the removal of invasive species, guided by a commitment to native Hawaiian cultural practices. A business plan proposed in 2015 outlined steps for ecological restoration, including the removal of feral animals and addressing regulatory and financial considerations.

Today, the island remains uninhabited and represents Hawaiian heritage as well as ongoing efforts toward cultural and environmental preservation. The reserve was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

LEARN MORE:

Kaho’olawe: Kaho’olawe History

Kaho’olawe: Pomaikaʻi Elementary Schools's 4th graders present "The Heart and Soul of Hawaiʻi"

Koho’olawe: KA HĀ O KŌ MĀKOU KŪPUNA; The Breath of Our Ancestors

Honolulu Magazine: Saving the Island of Kaho‘olawe

Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission: Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve USGS Open File Reports

Island Conservation: Path to Recovery Charted for Kahoʻolawe Island

Images of Old Hawai’i: Kahoʻolawe

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