For decades, U.S. military bombs ravaged Kahoʻolawe, an island about 7 miles southwest of Maui. The explosives tore into the island’s red dirt, damaged the land and disturbed the surrounding waters. Stories are still told on Maui of residents hearing the bombs’ thunder.
Ancient Hawaiians revered Kahoʻolawe as Kohemālamamalama o Kanaloa, the sacred body of Kanaloa, the Hawaiian god of the sea and marine life. The island was also an important center for navigation. A part of the island known as Kealaikahiki, or “the path to Tahiti,” served as a training ground for ocean navigators preparing for long voyages across the Pacific.
For Native Hawaiians, the harm to the island wasn’t just physical. It was spiritual.
On Jan. 4, 1976, in a courageous and bold act against U.S. military power, George Helm, Emmett Aluli, Kimo Aluli, Kawaipuna Prejean, Walter Ritte, Ian Lind, Ellen Miles, Steve Morse and Karla Villalba landed at Kūheʻeia on Kahoʻolawe.
They wanted to draw national attention to the U.S. military’s control and destruction of Hawaiian lands, and their courage helped spark the formation of Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and the modern aloha ʻāina movement. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of that first landing.
From its inception, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana has honored the sacred nature of the island, with its core grounded in ceremony and spiritual practices. Throughout the last 50 years, the organization has been instrumental in advocating for the protection and restoration of the island and the honoring of its history.
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum/Kat Ho
This year, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana has been commemorating the anniversary with cultural practices, educational programs and community events throughout Hawaiʻi.
And Bishop Museum is partnering with Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana to host a series of presentations and events commemorating the 50th anniversary. For more information about the events, visit bishopmuseum.org/pko.
Guided by the ʻōlelo noʻeau from the Kuloloioi ʻohana ,“Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa,” the community is invited to gather for three talk story sessions that explore the ways in which Kahoʻolawe has offered lessons in how to consecrate, sustain and solidify our relationship to ʻāina. The three presentations lead up to a concert on Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn Celebrating the release of “50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina” music album. The concert will feature artists and musicians who have created mele inspired by Kahoʻolawe. Artists included Keahi Piʻiʻōhiʻa, Pōkiʻi Seto, Kiliona Young, Kaʻikena Scanlan, Kimié Miner and Ikaakamai Nahuʻewai.
“It’s an honor for the museum to celebrate 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina and Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana,” Taylour Chang said in a news release. The Bishop Museum director of public programs and community engagement added, “We are excited to see the celebrations activate the entire museum campus throughout the next three months, to include talk story sessions, live music on the Great Lawn, a silent auction, educational booths for all ages, ʻAhahui o Nā Kauka health screenings, and a new exhibit display.”
On the third floor of the Hawaiian Hall, visitors can view “Kanaloa ka Lāʻa o Kohemālamalama: Uncoquerable is the Divinity of Kohemālamalama,” which shows an important evolution of the museum honoring the living legacy of Kahoʻolawe.
Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana Events at Bishop Museum:
Maʻa: Establishing our Pilina to Kanaloa
Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m.
This event features a panel to reflect on how pilina, kuleana and practices shape identity and responsibilities today. Panelists will discuss how intentional engagement with Kanaloa, the traditional name for Kaho‘olawe, fosters a grounded, generational commitment to stewardship and balance.
Paʻa: Kanaloa kānaka i Kanaloa: Ea aʻe ka ʻOhana
Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Kanaloa also means to be unconquerable and immovable. This panel discusses how becoming accustomed is what makes us solid as a community.
50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina Concert and Celebration: Laʻa, Maʻa, Paʻa
Friday, Nov. 13, 5 to 9 p.m.
This museum-wide event celebrates the 50th anniversary and a recommitment to aloha ʻāina.
Kahoʻolawe and its surrounding waters are designated as the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve by law. Access to the reserve is restricted due to unexploded ordnance and is permitted only for authorized purposes, including restoration, education and cultural practices.
For more information about the island and its history, visit:
