{"id":123564,"date":"2025-04-08T16:48:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T02:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaii.com\/?p=123564"},"modified":"2025-04-11T13:56:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T23:56:49","slug":"kahoolawe-island-the-mysteriously-uninhabited-target-isle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaii.com\/kahoolawe-island-the-mysteriously-uninhabited-target-isle\/","title":{"rendered":"Kahoolawe Island: The Mysteriously Uninhabited Target Isle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just seven miles off the southern coasts of Maui and L\u0101na\u2018i, Kahoolawe Island is a rust-colored silhouette on the horizon. At less than 45 square miles, it\u2019s the smallest of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s main islands \u2014 but don\u2019t mistake size for insignificance. Unlike the bustling shores of O\u02bbahu or the lush valleys of Kaua\u2018i, Kaho\u02bbolawe’s story runs deep.<\/p>\n

There are no hotels, no restaurants, and no residents here. Just wind, waves, and a profound stillness. As the only island without permanent human habitation, it’s a story etched in ancient navigation routes, wartime scars, and cultural revival.<\/p>\n

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Kahoolawe (Shutterstock)<\/p><\/div>\n

Why is Kaho\u2018olawe the Target Isle?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kaho\u02bbolawe\u2019s dry terrain and lack of fresh water made large-scale settlement nearly impossible. Even in ancient times, its population was sparse, limited to small coastal fishing villages that sustained life by the sea. But despite its remoteness, the island\u2019s fate would become riddled with conflict.<\/p>\n

In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor<\/a> in 1941, the U.S. military placed Kaho\u02bbolawe under martial law, transforming it into a live-fire training ground. Bombs fell from the sky and missiles struck her cliffs. The island \u2014 sacred to many \u2014 was now a target, earning the nickname \u201cTarget Isle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can you imagine standing on the beach, watching plumes of smoke rise from the horizon as bombs rained down on an island in the distance? For decades, that was the reality.<\/p>\n

But resistance grew. Native Hawaiians, led by the Protect Kaho\u02bbolawe \u02bbOhana (PKO),<\/strong> protested, filed lawsuits, and staged occupations. Their movement wasn\u2019t just about stopping the bombing \u2014 it was about protecting the sacred land.<\/p>\n

In 1990, after years of advocacy, the island\u2019s stewardship began to shift. President George H.W. Bush ordered a halt to the bombing, and by 2003, control of Kaho\u02bbolawe was formally returned to the State of Hawai\u02bbi.<\/p>\n

Today, the Kaho\u02bbolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) manages the island and the surrounding waters, focusing on cultural restoration, environmental healing, and education. Efforts have focused on removing UXO, controlling erosion, and reintroducing native vegetation. The long-term vision is to return Kaho\u02bbolawe to a Native Hawaiian entity \u2014 fully and forever.<\/p>\n

Early History and Cultural Significance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Archaeological evidence indicates that Polynesians settled on Kaho\u02bbolawe around 1000 A.D., establishing small fishing communities along the coastline. The island’s strategic location made it a vital center for navigation and voyaging.<\/p>\n

Notably, Pu\u02bbu Moiwi, a remnant cinder cone, served as the site of the second-largest basalt quarry in Hawai\u02bbi, providing material for stone tools such as adzes. The inhabitants constructed stone platforms for religious ceremonies. They erected shrines to ensure successful fishing expeditions and carved petroglyphs into the rocks, many of which remain today. Traditionally, Kaho\u02bbolawe is dedicated to the sea god Kanaloa.<\/p>\n

The island’s arid environment and limited freshwater sources likely restricted its population to a few hundred individuals. The largest settlement, Hakioawa, at the northeastern end facing Maui, may have housed up to 120 residents at one point.<\/p>\n

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A kapu sign warning of unexploded ordnance (Photo Credit: Hawaiianscribe)<\/p><\/div>\n

Native Hawaiian Cultural and Spiritual Practices<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Today Kaho’olawe is for Native Hawaiian cultural and spiritual practices. Native Hawaiian groups are caring for the island. They have a vision of restoring Kaho’olawe to a healed island surrounded by pristine ocean waters and healthy reef ecosystems. Native Hawaiians consider Kaho’olawe to be a living spiritual entity.<\/p>\n

Hawaiians have a special relationship with their lands. They call it \u201caloha \u2018\u0101ina,\u201d<\/em> a concept that embraces the animals, plants, and climate. Aloha \u2018\u0101ina<\/em>\u00a0means caring for and maintaining a unique and special connection to the land of one\u2019s ancestors, birthplace, the land and the ocean that feeds, and where one lives and works.\u00a0Aloha \u2018\u0101ina<\/em> is a deeply felt appreciation that comes from knowing a place\u2019s history, traditions, and one\u2019s connection to it.<\/p>\n

Kaho\u2018olawe is recognized by federal, state, and county governments as a\u00a0wahi pana<\/em>\u00a0(special place) and a\u00a0pu\u2018uhonua<\/em>\u00a0(place of refuge). As a\u00a0wahi pana<\/em>, the island is dedicated to\u00a0Kanaloa<\/em>, the honored and respected ancestor\/deity who cares for the foundation of the Earth and the atmospheric conditions of the ocean and the heavens. As a\u00a0pu\u2018uhonua<\/em>, Kaho\u2018olawe is a refuge, or \u201csafe\u201d place for people to practice and live\u00a0aloha \u2018\u0101ina<\/em>\u00a0that, in turn, guides the care and management of the island and its surrounding waters.<\/p>\n

\"Hawaiian

A Native Hawaiian practitioner prepares for a cultural ceremony on Kaho’olawe. (Photo credit: Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission – KIRC)<\/p><\/div>\n

Environmental Impact and Invasive Species<\/h2>\n

Kaho\u2018olawe Island has faced significant environmental challenges due to its history as a bomb range and training ground in World War II. The relentless military exercises left the island scarred, with unexploded ordnance scattered across its landscape, posing a continuous threat to restoration efforts. The introduction of non-native species, such as feral cats, goats, and sheep, further exacerbated the island\u2019s ecological woes. These invasive species wreaked havoc on the native vegetation and wildlife. Feral cats, in particular, have been a major threat to the island\u2019s seabird populations, including the endangered Hawaiian petrel and the Newell\u2019s shearwater.<\/p>\n

The Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) has been tirelessly working to mitigate these impacts. However, the process is painstakingly slow due to the island\u2019s remote location and the persistent danger of unexploded ordnance. Despite these challenges, the KIRC remains committed to restoring Kaho\u2018olawe\u2019s natural habitats and ensuring the survival of its unique ecosystem.<\/p>\n

Restoration and Conservation Efforts<\/h2>\n

The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) has been at the forefront of efforts to restore and conserve the island\u2019s natural and cultural resources. Their work involves a multifaceted approach, focusing on the removal of invasive species, the replanting of native vegetation, and the protection of cultural sites and artifacts. The commission\u2019s dedication to preserving Kaho\u2018olawe\u2019s cultural heritage is evident in their meticulous efforts to safeguard the island\u2019s historical and spiritual significance.<\/p>\n

In collaboration with organizations like Island Conservation, the KIRC has developed innovative solutions to address the island\u2019s environmental challenges. One such initiative is the deployment of a new camera system, called Sentinel, to help remove invasive feral cats from the island. These efforts are crucial in restoring the island\u2019s ecological balance and ensuring the survival of its native species. The KIRC\u2019s comprehensive management plan aims to protect Kaho\u2018olawe\u2019s natural resources and cultural heritage for future generations.<\/p>\n

Volunteering on Kaho’olawe<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Healing Kaho\u02bbolawe is a monumental task \u2014 and one that has relied heavily on the hands and hearts of volunteers. Over the years, thousands of people have contributed to reforesting the island, stabilizing erosion, restoring cultural sites, and monitoring fragile marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Volunteer groups have helped:<\/strong><\/p>\n