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The Hawaiian Island of Kahoolawe
Base Camp at Honokanaia on Kahoolawe Island
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr (USGS)
The Hawaiian island of Kahoolawe
is located between the islands
of Maui and Lanai and it is approximately
45 square miles in size. It has been known
as the "forgotten isle", "desolate isle", and
the "target isle". Kahoolawe has been
used at different times as a penal
colony, a ranch, a forest reserve,
and a military training and testing ground.
There are no hotels, restaurants or any type of
tourism infrastructure on Kahoolawe.
There
is still a danger of visitors encountering
unexploded ordnance on the island so access
is limited to those who receive permission
from the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission
for purposes related to restoration,
education, and Hawaiian culture.
Satellite Image of Kahoolawe
A satellite image of Kahoolawe from the United States
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
News Articles About Kahoolawe
A collection of news articles about the island of Kahoolawe
from the Honolulu Advertiser and the
Honolulu Star Bulletin newspapers.
Brief History of Kahoolawe Island
This history of Kahoolawe covers the period
from 1826, when the island was used as a penal colony,
to the ranching period, the forest reserve period,
the military period, and the present day.
Military History of Kahoolawe Island
In 1941 the United States Navy leased
Kahoolawe from the Kahoolawe Ranch, so the
island could use for military training and
target practice. The U.S. Military conducted
training exercises on Kahoolawe from 1941 to 1990.
In 1993, the state of Hawaii created the Kahoolawe
Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) and on
November 11, 2003, the Navy formally turned
control of the island over to the state of
Hawaii. The KIRC is in the
process of restoring native vegetation and
protecting cultural artifacts.
Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission
An organization established by the Hawaiian State Legislature
for the following purposes:
(1) Preservation and practice of all rights customarily and
traditionally exercised by the native Hawaiians for cultural,
spiritual, and subsistence purposes (2) Preservation and
protection of its archaeological, historical, and
environmental resources (3) Rehabilitation, re-vegetation,
habitat restoration, and preservation, and (4) Education.
Kahoolawe is to be preserved in perpetuity
for the above uses. Commercial uses are strictly prohibited
by Hawaii state law.
Protect Kahoolawe Ohana
An advocacy group working to gain access to
Kahoolawe Island for religious, cultural, educational, and
scientific activities.
Kahoolawe Virtual Field Trip
An online tour of Kahoolawe Island with photos
taken by student researchers led by University
of Hawaii geography professor Tom Giambelluca.
More Kahoolawe Resources
Map of Kahoolawe
Wikipedia on Kahoolawe
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Related Links
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
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