Can people visit Kahoolawe?
The smallest of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, Kahoolawe and its surrounding waters are by law off-limits to the public. Your only way ashore is through volunteer work opportunities offered throughout the year.
Why is no one allowed on Kahoolawe?
Access to the Reserve (the island and the 2 miles of ocean surrounding Kaho'olawe) is restricted because of the continued danger of unexploded ordnance. Access to the Reserve is permitted only with authorization of KIRC for specific purposes, such as restoration, education, and culture.
Which Hawaiian island are you not allowed to visit?
NiihauNiihau, also known as the Forbidden Isle, is a beautiful small island in Hawaii spread across 180 sq km. The island is off-limits to outsiders and only the Robinson family, their relatives, invited guests, government officials and US Navy personnel are allowed here.
Why are 2 Hawaiian Islands forbidden to visitors?
The island is forbidden to outsiders because its owners have pledged to protect the land from the outside world. They promised to preserve the heritage of their island, following the requests of a former Hawaiian King.
Why is Kahoolawe red?
To the east, much of the island has an orange-red tone due to bare hardpan dirt—a result of erosion and dry weather. The fire is just the latest trial for nature on the island. In the late 1700s, goats were introduced to Kaho'olawe, and they chewed up much of the landscape.
Who owns Kahoolawe island?
Following a 10-year period of ordnance removal, control of access to Kaho'olawe was transferred to the State of Hawai'i in 2003. Today, the KIRC is responsible for the restoration and sustainable management of the island until it can be transferred to a Native Hawaiian entity to manage.
Which Hawaiian island Does Bill Gates Own?
LanaiNickname: The Pineapple IsleLocation in the state of HawaiiGeographyLocationNorth Pacific OceanCoordinates20°49′30″N 156°55′12″W22 more rows
Which Hawaiian island is only open to natives?
NiihauNo one is allowed to visit Hawaii's Forbidden Isle—the 70-square-mile island, which on a clear day can be spied from Kauai's west coast—unless they are invited by Niihau owners the Robinson family, or by one of its 70 full-time Native Hawaiian residents.
What happens if you go to Niihau?
If you do visit Niihau by helicopter or safari, don't expect to encounter any local residents. Access to many parts of the island is restricted to visitors, so during your ground visit, you'll likely find yourself on a deserted beach with little opportunity for straying very far.
Can non Hawaiians buy land in Hawaii?
While anyone in the world can buy property in Hawaii, non-Hawaii residents will be subject to a tax of 7.25% on the sale price, when and if they sell the property, under the Hawaii Real Property Tax Law, or HARPTA.
What Hawaiian island is uninhabited?
At 44.6 mi² (115.5 km²), Kahoʻolawe is the state's largest island with no permanent inhabitants.
What Hawaiian island is privately owned?
The island's private ownership passed on to her descendants, the Robinsons....Niihau.Nickname: The Forbidden IsleUnited StatesStateHawaiʻiCountyKauaʻiOwner(s)Bruce Robinson Keith Robinson23 more rows
What happened on Kahoolawe?
During World War II, Kahoolawe became a bombing range for the U.S. Military. Finally in 1990, the military ceased live bombings, and today the island is protected to reestablish plant life and to preserve native Hawaiian culture.
Why is Kahoolawe sacred?
In ancient times, the sacred island of Kaho'olawe was, according to local tradition, the Hawaiian peoples' center for celestial navigation, a bountiful fishing grounds, and a spot where native priests carried out cultural and religious rites.
Who owns the Forbidden Hawaiian island?
Bruce Robinson KeithElizabeth Sinclair purchased Niʻihau in 1864 for US$10,000 (equivalent to about $170,000 in 2021) from the Kingdom of Hawaii. The island's private ownership passed on to her descendants, the Robinsons....Niihau.Nickname: The Forbidden IsleUnited StatesStateHawaiʻiCountyKauaʻiOwner(s)Bruce Robinson Keith Robinson23 more rows
Which Hawaiian island Do you need permission to visit?
No one is allowed to visit Hawaii's Forbidden Isle—the 70-square-mile island, which on a clear day can be spied from Kauai's west coast—unless they are invited by Niihau owners the Robinson family, or by one of its 70 full-time Native Hawaiian residents.
A Brief History of Kaho'olawe
- In the early 1800s, Kaho'olawe had around 50 residents. Most of what is known about early residents are very recent and based on archaeological surveys. For example, there is a basalt quarry on Kahoolawe that is assumed to have served early islanders in their construction endeavors. The remains of stone tools and weapons such as hatchets and hammer...
A Dark and Spiritual History of Kaho'olawe
- Later in the 1800s, missionaries had successfully left an impression on the Hawaiian people. Operating under Christian influence, the King of Maui halted the use of the death penalty. Without the death penalty, the people of Maui needed a new solution for what they would do to their criminals. It was eventually decided that serious offenders would be exiled to the nearby island …
Visiting Kaho'olawe
- It was only after the fall of the Berlin Wall that the U.S. Navy returned the island to the State of Hawaii in 1994. Since then, the local government has designated the island as a protected area and has engaged in efforts to reforest and revitalize the landscape. For this reason, the public is not allowed to set foot on Kahoolawe. There are no functioning airports or seaports, and there i…
General Access
- How can I access the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve?
Access to the Reserve (the island and the 2 miles of ocean surrounding Kaho'olawe) is restricted because of the continued danger of unexploded ordnance. Access to the Reserve is permitted only with authorization of KIRC for specific purposes, such as restoration, education, and culture… - Is it safe to access the Reserve?
No. Unexploded ordnance hazards remain throughout the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve, even in the cleared areas, as well as in the uncleared areas and in the surrounding waters. Because of the existing hazards, including the UXO, rough terrain and harsh environmental elements, no unauth…
Ocean Resource Management
- Is fishing or boating allowed in the Reserve Waters?
Trolling is permitted on two scheduled weekends each month in waters deeper than 30 fathoms (180 feet). No other fishing, ocean recreation or additional activities are allowed within the Reserve. Absolutely no bottomfishing or use of anchors is permitted because of the hazard of u… - Are there special rules that apply to the Reserve?
Yes. Those rules are found in Chapter 13-261, Hawai'i Administrative Rules. The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve (the island plus the submerged lands and waters within two nautical miles of the island) is divided into two zones: Zones A and B. Zone A includes all the submerged lands and waters b…
Restoration
- What is KIRC doing to restore the Reserve?
KIRC is actively pursuing restoration projects in both the ocean and island portions of the Reserve. Data on species currently living in the Reserve is continuously being collected. Ongoing monitoring is conducted to detect any threats to the ecosystem and species that inhabit the Res… - How can I volunteer to help with restoration efforts?
Anyone interested in volunteering to help in restoration activities can do so by filling out our volunteer request form located here.
Culture and Education
- How does the KIRC care for the cultural resources of the Reserve?
KIRC operates a culture and education program to ensure that the island and its cultural resources are managed effectively and appropriately. Cultural protocols are carefully followed and cultural practitioners routinely participate in planning and conducting cultural activities. Restorat… - Can someone from KIRC come to my school or organization to talk about Kaho'olawe?
Yes, the KIRC Cultural and Education Program provides speakers and materials to educate students and community groups about Kaho'olawe. Please call the KIRC office at (808) 243-5020 for more information.
Administration and Organizational Questions
- Who is responsible for the management of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve?
The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) was established in 1993 by the Hawai'i State Legislature to manage the Reserve. Composed of seven commission members, the KIRC relies on a staff of 22 with expertise in Native Hawaiian culture, ocean management, environmental restor… - What is planned for Kaho'olawe?
The KIRC strategic plan calls for a campaign to raise funds through partnerships and grants to provide a sustainable trust fund, which will enable needed restoration, stewardship, cultural and educational initiatives to succeed. A copy of the strategic plan can be found on the KIRC websit…