Next week is the 20th anniversary of the end to Navy bombing of Kaho’olawe.
Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana
Stopping the Bombing – 20th anniversary
Friday, October 22, 2010
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
UH Manoa Center for Hawaiian Studies Halau o Haumea
FREE
Music By:
Mailani, Kupa’aina, Steve Maii, The Helm Ohana, Blue Ocean Thai Organismz
Presentations by Craig Neff of the Hawaiian Force and Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli
Film Premier of: “Mai Ka Piko Mai” Homecoming of Early Warriors and Hokule’a
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Teri Okita of Hawaii News Now did a story about the upcoming anniversary “Life after bombing on Kahoolawe”. Here are a few excerpts:
50 years of target shooting left puncture wounds in the earth. The island lacks fresh water sources, and over a century of overgrazing by ranch cattle, sheep, and wild goats took its toll – resulting in severe soil erosion.
Much of Kahoolawe is covered with dry, dusty, red hardpan dirt. It’s only been in the last six or seven years that they’ve been able to grow viable vegetation. Greenery, like the small aalii plant, was virtually unseen ten years ago. Now, they’re sprouting up in concentrated areas – small but important victories for the restoration team.
Along Kahoolawe’s coastline, run-off from heavy rains have led to sediment build-up. There are also remnants of some ship-to-shore target areas, but for the most part, they’re ‘preserving’ rather than ‘restoring’ the island’s bluffs, shores, and marine life.
“It’s very unique. Because of the lack of human interference, stocks (of marine life) that we have are special. It’s a very unique and special place,” explains Dean Tokishi, KIRC’s ocean program manager.
One of Hawaii’s most pristine reef ecosystems lies in an area called Honokoa. Conservationists found ancient fishing shrines in perfect condition nearby, and King David Kalakaua is said to have landed there to cleanse himself in the ocean’s pure waters. The hope is: it will stay this way.
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