Hawaii's Kaula Island: Sacred Site and Military Range

Kaula Island, a small 158-acre landmass located about 55 miles southwest of Kauai, has recently been recognized as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This designation highlights its cultural importance. However, Kaula also serves as a long-standing U.S. Navy bombing range, creating a complex situation between preservation efforts and national defense needs. The island, uninhabited and federally controlled, presents a unique challenge for those seeking to protect its heritage and environment.

In September 2025, the U.S. Navy officially determined that Kaula Island qualifies as a traditional cultural place under federal historic preservation law. This decision followed discussions with Native Hawaiian organizations and the Hawaiʻi State Historic Preservation Officer. The Navy is now working to address the impacts of its military operations on this newly recognized sacred site.

Kaula's Dual Identity: Sacred Land and Training Ground

For more than seven decades, Kaula Island has played a role in U.S. Navy training missions. It has been used for gunnery practice and inert (non-explosive) bombing exercises. This continuous military use has shaped the island's landscape and its perception. Despite its history as a military site, its cultural significance has now come into focus.

The Navy has stated its commitment to protecting Kaula's cultural value. They also aim to safeguard its delicate seabird habitats, unique geology, and the surrounding marine ecosystem. This dual responsibility creates a challenging balance. The question of how a place can be both sacred and militarized at the same time remains central to discussions about Kaula's future.

Navy's Commitment and Ongoing Consultations

Following the historic preservation determination, the Navy issued a statement through PMRF Public Affairs. It confirmed ongoing consultations:

"In accordance with the NHPA, the Navy is consulting with Native Hawaiian Organizations and the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Officer to develop a memorandum of agreement that will minimize or mitigate adverse effects on Kaula Island, a recently identified traditional cultural place. While this consultation is pending, no training will occur on the island unless the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet authorizes it for national defense or national security purposes."

This statement indicates a pause in training activities on Kaula. It also acknowledges the potential for future use if national defense requirements demand it. The Navy's actions reflect an effort to comply with federal historic preservation laws while maintaining readiness.

The consultations aim to create a memorandum of agreement (MOA). This agreement would outline specific steps to reduce or offset any negative impacts from military operations on Kaula Island. This process is crucial for balancing different interests.

The Island's Natural and Cultural Significance

A Seabird Sanctuary

Kaula Island rises steeply from the Pacific Ocean. It features dramatic lava formations and serves as a vital nesting ground for seabirds. Officially, it holds the designation of a State Seabird Sanctuary. This status underscores its importance for wildlife conservation. The island's remote nature has helped protect its natural habitats, even with military activity occurring nearby.

Deep Cultural Roots

Beyond its ecological value, Kaula possesses deep cultural ties for Native Hawaiians. Oral histories and ancient chants connect the island to traditional voyaging routes and spiritual practices. These narratives highlight its place in the broader cultural landscape of Hawaii. Despite its significance, few outside the islands are aware of Kaula's story.

The island is uninhabited and lacks any visitor infrastructure like beaches, trails, or welcome signs. Access to Kaula is currently prohibited for the public and Native Hawaiians. This restriction is primarily due to safety concerns, including the presence of unexploded ordnance from past military exercises.

Challenges of Access and Stewardship

The recognition of Kaula as a sacred site brings forward questions about access and stewardship. While its cultural importance is acknowledged, Native Hawaiians cannot visit the island for cultural purposes or engage in direct stewardship activities. This creates a challenging situation where a sacred place remains off-limits to those who hold it most dear.

Many in the community find it ironic that a place is protected by preventing access. This dilemma is not new in Hawaii. It echoes past situations where culturally significant lands were impacted by military use and then faced complex restoration processes.

Lessons from Kahoolawe Island

The situation with Kaula draws parallels to Kahoolawe, another Hawaiian island. Kahoolawe, the smallest of the eight main Hawaiian islands, was used as a bombing range for decades. It was returned to state control in 1994. The cleanup efforts on Kahoolawe have been slow and incomplete. Access remains limited, primarily for cultural and educational activities.

While Kaula may follow a similar path, it currently lacks the same level of public advocacy. There is no large-scale protest movement or occupation related to Kaula. Its new designation is largely an administrative process, and its future remains primarily under federal authority. This contrasts with the significant public campaigns that surrounded Kahoolawe's return.

Hawaii's Broader Military Presence

Hawaii hosts a significant military presence that extends beyond well-known bases. The Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) near Kekaha, Kauai, is the largest instrumented missile testing range globally. It represents just one part of a vast network of military sites across the islands, some visible and others more discreet.

Many visitors to Hawaii are unaware of the extensive training grounds and restricted zones. Kaula Island, though remote and out of sight for most, is an integral part of this modern Hawaiian landscape. Its story highlights the ongoing tension between defense needs and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Implications for Visitors and the Future

Visitors cannot access Kaula Island. It is not a place for snorkeling, hiking, or photography. However, the events surrounding Kaula affect how both residents and visitors experience Hawaii. The militarization of lands with sacred value creates deeper tensions between preservation and power dynamics. It also prompts questions about which aspects of Hawaii are being protected, and for whom.

Past issues like those concerning Mauna Kea, Kahoolawe, and even shoreline access disputes on Kauai's north shore, demonstrate how deeply these stories resonate. They reveal a complex reality beneath Hawaii's scenic image. The historic eligibility finding for Kaula could lead to new federal protections or increased scrutiny of its future use.

As of now, there is no plan to open the island for public visitation or transfer stewardship to Native Hawaiian organizations. The legal ownership of Kaula remains unclear. The State of Hawaii claims it as part of Kauai County. The federal government continues to operate it under a 1959 presidential order. Kaula Island has become a symbol of the gap between intentions to honor a place and the reality of allowing it to heal and be stewarded by its traditional caretakers.