Independcence Day Day 185 of 2009 180 days left in this year

On this July Fourth, a day traditionally filled with fireworks, it is appropriate to mention Kaho’olawe in our travels, for it saw more than 4 decades of fireworks in the form of bombs.

Until 1991, the island of Kaho’olawe was a bombing range for the air force and navy. One could sit in Kihei and here the explosions, and watch the planes as it destroyed one of Hawaii’s most pristine islands.

Madness.

Kahoolawe Airfield

As such things sometimes do, this story is trying to have a happy ending.

There are no hotels there, no place to “stay,” and yet if you are a resident it is possible to visit for a few days, provided you are willing to work.

Every month, crews of volunteers fly to Kaho’olawe and help to clear the ordinance laying around the island by the ton. Already, the federal government has spent nearly $500 million dollars in this effort. According to Hawaii Senator Dan Inouye, it is like to cost another $2 billion more, and another ten years of work.

If you are interested in volunteering, we’d suggest you start at http://www.kahoolawe.org/, where you will find basic information on what is being done on Kaho’olawe, and the good people there can direct you to signing up for work.

If you’re a tourist, it is unlikely you will have an opportunity to visit Kaho’olawe. The trips to the island are sporatic and often changed, due to weather, and the work currently being done (i.e. how far has it gotten and do we need another crew at a certain site).

It’s an experience worth taking.