Renaissance
There was a movement to stop the U.S. Navy’s bombing on Kaho’olawe. This movement was important to the Hawaiian Renaissance.
Passionate people started the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana (PKO). This group of people would voice their concerns about aina through peaceful protests, giving testimony, and sending letters to government officials like the governor of Hawaii and even the president of the United States!
Some members of the PKO helped delay bombing practices by sneaking their way on the island and making their presence known. If there were people on the island, the U.S. Navy was not allowed to practice bombing. In order to not get caught, protesters would swim back to Maui on surfboards.
The Hawaiian people were concerned with the issues of Kaho’olawe. This caused the people of Hawaii to become reenergized to “go back to the source, listen to kupuna (ancestors), and find their roots.” During this time, the rebirth of Hawaiian music, hula, language, and even voyaging to Tahiti, to unify the people of the islands and the value of aloha.
Passionate people started the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana (PKO). This group of people would voice their concerns about aina through peaceful protests, giving testimony, and sending letters to government officials like the governor of Hawaii and even the president of the United States!
Some members of the PKO helped delay bombing practices by sneaking their way on the island and making their presence known. If there were people on the island, the U.S. Navy was not allowed to practice bombing. In order to not get caught, protesters would swim back to Maui on surfboards.
The Hawaiian people were concerned with the issues of Kaho’olawe. This caused the people of Hawaii to become reenergized to “go back to the source, listen to kupuna (ancestors), and find their roots.” During this time, the rebirth of Hawaiian music, hula, language, and even voyaging to Tahiti, to unify the people of the islands and the value of aloha.
1967 - Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (PKO) makes the first in a series of landings on the island to protest the Navy's use of the island as bombing target.
PKO files federal lawsuit charging the Navy with violating laws related to environment, preservation of historic sites, and cultural/religious freedom.
1977 - George Helm and Kimo Mitchell are lost at sea when paddling back from Kahoʻolawe during protest of the bombing.
U.S. Federal District Court orders a partial summary judgment in favor of PKO and orders Dept. of Defense to inventory Kahoʻolawe's ancient sites and protect these sites on the island.
1980 - U.S. Navy and PKO enter into Consent Decree, which gives PKO regular access to the island for religious, cultural, educational, and restoration purposes. The navy agrees to clear surface ordnance from 10,000 acres, eradicate goats, continue soil conservation and restoring vegetation, and limit target practice to central third of the island.
1990 - President George Bush, Sr. issues order that temporarily halts bombing and Congress establishes the Kahoʻolawe Island Conveyance Commission (KICC) to conduct studies and recommend terms for returning the island to the State. The order requires that bombing be halted until the KICC report is issued to Congress.
PKO files federal lawsuit charging the Navy with violating laws related to environment, preservation of historic sites, and cultural/religious freedom.
1977 - George Helm and Kimo Mitchell are lost at sea when paddling back from Kahoʻolawe during protest of the bombing.
U.S. Federal District Court orders a partial summary judgment in favor of PKO and orders Dept. of Defense to inventory Kahoʻolawe's ancient sites and protect these sites on the island.
1980 - U.S. Navy and PKO enter into Consent Decree, which gives PKO regular access to the island for religious, cultural, educational, and restoration purposes. The navy agrees to clear surface ordnance from 10,000 acres, eradicate goats, continue soil conservation and restoring vegetation, and limit target practice to central third of the island.
1990 - President George Bush, Sr. issues order that temporarily halts bombing and Congress establishes the Kahoʻolawe Island Conveyance Commission (KICC) to conduct studies and recommend terms for returning the island to the State. The order requires that bombing be halted until the KICC report is issued to Congress.