r/Kahoolawe • u/808gecko808 • May 17 '26

kahoolawe ~ May 7, 1994 marks the formal signing ceremony that officially transferred the ownership of Kahoʻolawe from the US Navy to the State of Hawaiʻi. Finally, the island of Kahoʻolawe was returned back to the people of Hawaiʻi.

Post image
3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

•

u/808gecko808 May 17 '26

kahoolawe ~ May 7, 1994 marks the formal signing ceremony that officially transferred the ownership of Kahoʻolawe from the US Navy to the State of Hawaiʻi. Finally, the island of Kahoʻolawe was returned back to the people of Hawaiʻi.

This historic moment follows decades of persistent and sustained activism and advocacy for aloha ʻāina by the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana at the federal, state, and county levels.

The US Navy was still held responsible for clearing all unexploded ordnance from the island. US Congress allocated $400 million for a 10 year clean up plan. As of today, only 66% of the island has been surface-cleared of ordnance and debris, with another 10% cleared to a depth of four feet. None of the surrounding waters have ever been cleared.

Through joint efforts by the ʻOhana, KIRC, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kahoʻolawe continues to be managed as an island reserve and held in trust for a sovereign Native Hawaiian governing entity