Kaho'olawe Island

KAHO'OLAWE ISLAND

Kaho’olawe is the smallest of the eight major islands of the Hawaiian archipelago and is located approximately six miles southwest of Maui. Kaho’olawe is 11 miles long, seven miles at the widest point, and has a peak elevation of 1,490 feet. Kaho`olawe comprises 28,788 acres.

For fifty years, from 1941 to 1990, Kaho'olawe was used as an official site for the testing of bombs and other munitions by the United States Military. Bombing of this island is reported to have begun as early as 1920.

In 1993, after years of sustained protests and strong public sentiment against the bombing, Congress passed a law that:
1. Recognized the cultural significance of the island.
2. Required the Navy to return the island to the State.
3. Directed the Navy to conduct an unexploded ordnance (UXO) cleanup and environmental restoration in consultation with the State.
The bill authorized federal funding for the cleanup through November 2003. Eleven percent of the Navy cleanup funding is distributed to the State for planning, restoration, and other mandated activities.

The Hawaii State Legislature established the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve in 1993. The Legislature also created the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to manage the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve while it is held in trust for a future Native Hawaiian sovereign entity. The KIRC uses the federal funds designated for State responsibilities in the restoration effort. The KIRC is administratively attached to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Permission to access the island must be obtained through the KIRC. Fishing in the waters around the island is permitted with certain restrictions. There is no recreational scuba diving. Visit the KIRC website for additional information.