History of Kaho’olawe off the Wailea, Maui Coast
**Exploring Kahoʻolawe: Hawaii’s Sacred and Resilient Island**
Kahoʻolawe, the smallest of Hawaii’s eight main islands, is a place of both historical significance and natural beauty. With an area of just over 11,000 acres, the island has seen a tumultuous history, from ancient Hawaiian settlements to its controversial use as a military bombing range. Today, Kahoʻolawe is a symbol of resilience, environmental restoration, and cultural reclamation.
– A Glimpse into Kahoʻolawe’s Ancient Past
Kahoʻolawe holds great cultural importance for Native Hawaiians. Culturally it was know as Kohe Malamalama o Kanaloa, a reference to the God of the Sea Kanaloa. Historically, Kahoʻolawe was used as a place of spiritual renewal and a center for traditional Hawaiian navigational studies. Evidence of early Hawaiian settlements, including fishing villages, agricultural terraces, and religious sites, suggests that the island once thrived with life.
In pre-contact Hawaii, Kahoʻolawe was known as a “kapu” (sacred) place where only certain people could visit. It was believed to be a home for the god of agriculture, and the island played a vital role in the spiritual and ceremonial life of the Hawaiian people. However, the isolation of the island, located just off the coast of Maui, also made it an ideal location for resource gathering and farming.
– The Impact of Western Influence and Military Use
The arrival of Western explorers and missionaries in the 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to Kahoʻolawe. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the island was leased to private entities for cattle ranching and farming. But it wasn’t until the U.S. military took control of Kahoʻolawe during World War II that the island’s environment began to suffer severe damage.
In 1941, Kahoʻolawe was designated as a military training ground for bombing practice, and for nearly 50 years, the island was heavily bombarded by live ammunition. This resulted in extensive soil erosion, destruction of native vegetation, and the contamination of the land with unexploded ordnance. The military’s use of Kahoʻolawe was not only devastating to the island’s ecosystems but also to the Hawaiian people, who viewed the desecration of their sacred land as a deep wound.
– The Road to Restoration and Cultural Reclamation
In 1990, after decades of protest and advocacy by Native Hawaiian groups, the U.S. government agreed to cease its military use of Kahoʻolawe. A major milestone in the island’s journey toward healing came with the formation of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) in 1994. The commission’s goal is to restore the island’s land and ecosystem, safeguard its cultural heritage, and return the island to the Hawaiian people for traditional use.
Over the past few decades, Kahoʻolawe has been the focus of large-scale restoration projects, including the removal of unexploded ordnance, the replanting of native vegetation, and the rebuilding of traditional Hawaiian sites. Volunteers, often from the local Hawaiian community, regularly participate in restoration efforts, working to revitalize the island’s ecosystems and restore the cultural practices that were once integral to its people.
– Kahoʻolawe Today: A Place of Renewal
Today, Kahoʻolawe is a place of rebirth, where the past and present converge in a powerful story of survival and renewal. While the island remains off-limits to the general public to protect its fragile environment, it is occasionally open for cultural and educational visits, especially for Native Hawaiians wishing to reconnect with their heritage. The island is also seen as a symbol of environmental and cultural activism, with its restoration being a powerful example of community-driven efforts to reclaim a sacred space.
Kahoʻolawe may never return to its pre-contact glory, but its journey of healing continues to inspire both Hawaiians and people around the world. As it slowly recovers, the island stands as a testament to the enduring strength of cultural traditions, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the resilience of the Hawaiian spirit.