Kaho’olawe is located 94 miles southeast of Oahu. Maui is 6 miles northeast of it. The island and waters up to two nautical miles from the island are included in Kaho’olawe Island Reserve. The island is remote and uninhabited. There are not too many modern facilities here. Due to overgrazing, the island had become virtually void of vegetation. In addition as a military practice base it has been bombed for decades and thus the remains of bombings lie strewn over the island. Today Kaho’olawe is an island reserve.

The Kaho’olawe Island Reserve is used for preserving the Hawaiian heritage. The traditional rights of the Hawaiians are to be protected here. Cultural, spiritual and sustenance rights are to be included in this ambit of protection. The historical, archaeological and environmental resources are to be protected and preserved here.

The tasks to be done include rehabilitation, revegetation, education, fishing, habitat restoration and preservation. The reason institutional controls are required here is that this island was used as a military base from 1941 to 1990. There is still a threat to public health and safety. For the reduction and removal of this threat, hazardous waste must be removed from the island and surrounding waters.

The Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana is one organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of Kaho’olawe. In their words they aim to spread Aloha Aina through the spiritual, educational and cultural activities thus revitalizing the island of Kaho’olawe.

For management of the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve, The Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission was created by the Hawaii State Legislature. The KIRC was formed in 1993. It is connected with the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources for purposes of administration. The KIRC is composed based on the Hawai’i Revised Statutes.

Native Hawaiian organizations submit lists and through this one member comes from the Governor of Hawaii. The office of Hawaiian affairs has one representative. The Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawaii is a member. Maui and Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana each give one member. In addition the governor selects two members from a list given by the Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana. The governor selects the Chair of the KIRC from among these.

Kaho’olawe is making plans to restore its native foliage. In the 45 square mile island cleanup and restoration is on. According to critics the Tamarisk is a threat to the island. Rene Sylvia, who specializes in plants native to Hawaii, says the Tamarisk is good for native foliage. More effort is being made to nurture native plants and milestones are being reached.

A survey indicates that below the Island of Kaho’olawe, there is water. The drilling would cost at least half a million dollars. The Kaho’olawe Island that degraded over the last five centuries is now seeing recovery. Photographic comparisons over time show a heartening recovery of the island. It seems to be making a journey to its true nature.