What is Kahoʻolawe?
Q: What is Kahoʻolawe?
A: Kahoʻolawe is the smallest of the eight main volcanic islands of Hawaii. It is located west of Maui and south of Lanaʻi.
Q: How large is Kahoʻolawe?
A: Kahoʻolawe is roughly 11 miles long by 6 mi (9.7 km) across, covering an area of 45 sq mi or 120 km2.
Q: What was the island used for during World War II?
A: During World War II, Kahoʻolawe was used as a gunfire and bombing target by the United States military. It was also a defense training area by the United States Navy from 1941 until May 1994.
Q: When did it become part of the National Register of Historic Places?
A: In 1981, the entire island was included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Q: When did it officially become part of Hawaii again?
A: The turnover officially occurred on November 11, 2003 when it was given back to Hawaiian people after being held in trust for a "future Native Hawaiian Sovereignty entity".
Q: What are some plans for restoring Kahoʻolawe?
A: Plans include methods for damming gullies and reducing rainwater runoff, temporarily stabilizing some areas before planting native plants, controlling erosion, restoring plant life, recharging water tables and slowly replacing alien plants with native ones.
Q: Are commercial uses allowed on Kahoʻolawe?
A:No, commercial uses are not allowed on Kaho'olawe according to State Law; only Native Hawaiian cultural, spiritual, subsistence purposes; fishing; environmental restoration; historic preservation; and education are permitted activities on this island reserve.
