Fifty years ago today, a pivotal moment in Hawaiian history unfolded as a flotilla of 10 boats set sail from Maui. Their destination was the sacred island of Kahoʻolawe, used at the time as a bombing range by the U.S. military. This daring act of protest, involving about 60 individuals, aimed to halt the destruction of the island and reclaim it for the Native Hawaiian people.
The journey across the ʻAlalākeiki Channel, meaning “crying child,” was fraught with danger. Military helicopters hovered overhead, and U.S. Coast Guard vessels pursued the activists. Despite these challenges, one boat successfully reached the shores of Kahoʻolawe, an island previously off-limits to civilians.
Key Takeaways
- January 4, 1976, marked the first protest landing on Kahoʻolawe.
- The Kahoʻolawe Nine occupied the island to protest military bombing.
- The bombing officially ended on October 22, 1990, after years of activism.
- Kahoʻolawe was turned over to Hawaiʻi in 1994, with $400 million for cleanup.
- Restoration efforts continue today, led by the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana.
The Kahoʻolawe Nine and Their Mission
The individuals aboard the single boat that reached Kahoʻolawe became known as the Kahoʻolawe Nine. This group included George Helm, Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, Kimo Aluli, Kawaipuna Prejean, Walter Ritte, Ian Lind, Ellen Miles, Steve Morse, and Karla Villalba. David Padgett captained their vessel.
Upon landing, the activists witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by decades of military target practice. Trees were uprooted, ancient archaeological sites lay in ruins, and massive craters scarred the landscape. Unexploded ordnance littered the ground, with shrapnel fragments dissolving into the soil.
"The first thing that got to me was the fact that they were actually using our historic sites as targets," activist Walter Ritte recalled. "There were white paint circles and X's, and they were using our sites as targets. So, the first thing that hit me was anger. Because they were destroying our ability to learn about our ancestors, because we never had a written language."
This anger fueled their determination to act. The Kahoʻolawe Nine sought to draw national attention to the U.S. military's role in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and its continued destruction of Hawaiian national lands.
Island Facts
- Name: Kahoʻolawe
- Meaning: ʻAlalākeiki Channel means "crying child."
- Military Use: Used as a bombing range by the U.S. military for decades.
- Status: Sacred island, not open to general tourism due to hazards.
Decades of Protest and Persistence
The initial protest on January 4, 1976, was just the beginning of a long and arduous struggle. The U.S. Coast Guard quickly arrived after the landing, attempting to round up the group. Ritte and Dr. Aluli evaded capture for three days, occupying the island in defiance.
Dr. Aluli, who passed away in 2022, vividly described the impact of the bombing. "When you hear (the bombs), it's... into your chest. I mean it hurts. Why are you doing this to the island? And people take it seriously, like it's doing it to me. So it was the most devastating damage you will ever see. It hurt us."
He added, "One of the old sayings is: 'Take care of the land and the land takes care of you.' The health of the land, is the health of our people, and actually the health of our nation. So we made a commitment to do something about it. And we were able to get the bombing stopped."
The Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana was formed shortly after the initial landing. This organization became central to the grassroots Aloha ʻĀina movement, which gained widespread support across Hawaiʻi. Their efforts were spiritually guided by the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation.
Historical Context
The Kahoʻolawe protests emerged during a period of significant activism for Indigenous rights in the 1970s. This era saw events like the American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) and the Native American uprising at Wounded Knee (1973), highlighting a broader movement for land and sovereignty.
Tragedy and Continued Resolve
The fight for Kahoʻolawe was not without sacrifice. In March 1977, activist George Helm and fisherman Kimo Mitchell were lost at sea off the island while attempting to retrieve two 'Ohana members who were occupying Kahoʻolawe. Their bodies were never recovered.
Despite this tragedy and the ongoing bombing, the protests continued. The persistence of the activists, inspired by the Kahoʻolawe Nine, eventually led to a major victory. On October 22, 1990, the bombing and military use of the island officially ceased.
Four years later, on May 7, 1994, Kahoʻolawe was formally transferred to the State of Hawaiʻi. Congress allocated $400 million for a 10-year project to begin the extensive cleanup of the island, focusing on removing unexploded ordnance.
Restoration and Future Generations
Today, the restoration of Kahoʻolawe continues. The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, established in 1993, oversees these efforts. Its 14 staff members, including a natural resource specialist, work alongside volunteers to rehabilitate the island.
The commission includes seven members, with three from the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana, ensuring a strong voice for Native Hawaiian perspectives in the island's future. Executive Director Mike Nahoopii highlights their approach: "We can blend both the past and the future together, science and culture process together, create a hybrid method of restoring our ‘āina."
Restoration Milestones
- 1990: Bombing officially ends.
- 1994: Island transferred to Hawaiʻi; $400 million appropriated for cleanup.
- Ongoing: Removal of unexploded ordnance and planting of native species.
- Cultural Sites: Over 600 managed by Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana.
Volunteer efforts are crucial. More than 50,000 people have visited Kahoʻolawe since its transfer to the state, participating in authorized cultural, restoration, or educational programs. The island is not open to general tourism due to the lingering hazards of unexploded ordnance and its sacred status.
Paul Ka‘uhane Lu‘uwai, a Hawaiian Canoe Club keiki (children) coach for over 40 years, has brought approximately 1,700 young paddlers to Kahoʻolawe over the past 35 years. These youth actively participate in restoration work, such as clearing trails and planting native species.
"Until you've gone there you just don't know what the island can offer and the mana and all the feelings of Kaho’olawe that really projects towards your body and your soul," Lu‘uwai shared. "Most kids that go who are trained properly, they are all touched deeply by the island."
Seventeen-year-old Mikaela Benavides, who first visited Kahoʻolawe at age 14, noted, "It really changed my perspective on my Hawaiian identity and what it means to be Hawaiian for me." Keala Rodriguez, also 17, whose grandfather felt the island shaking from bombings in his youth, plans to study environmental science due to her experiences on Kahoʻolawe.
Davianna McGregor, a member of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and life partner of the late Dr. Aluli, emphasized the importance of the youth's involvement. "They bring a lot of energy, they bring a lot of inspiration and they're very open to learning. They learn to do what's best for the island, which is so important because people on Maui need to know that Kaho‘olawe is an important place. It's spiritually and culturally important."
Today, two events commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landing. The Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana will hold a press conference and celebration at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku. Walter Ritte will host an event on Oʻahu, featuring music and discussions on the ongoing military use of lands.
The legacy of the Kahoʻolawe Nine and the enduring commitment to the island's restoration continue to inspire new generations, ensuring Kahoʻolawe remains a powerful symbol of Hawaiian cultural identity and resilience.
