Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law had the privilege to travel to Kaho‘olawe over Spring Break with the Protect Kahoʻolawe ‘Ohana. The trip spanned four days and was focused on service work, cultural practice, and fostering pilina. Leading this access were alaka‘i, UH Mānoa Ethnic Studies Professor Emerita Davianna Pomaika‘i McGregor and Craig Neff, who have dedicated their lives to restoring the island after decades of bombing by the U.S. Navy.

During the huakaʻi, our group cleared a hillside of invasive Kiawe trees as a fire-prevention measure and visited cultural sites along the coastline. We also made the 8-mile trek up to Moaʻula Iki, the highest point on Kahoʻolawe. Moaʻula Iki is home to the famous stone-carved navigational chair where navigators observed the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Hawaiʻi, as well as the winds, stars, ocean currents, and other natural phenomena for navigating across the Pacific Ocean. The group also offered hoʻokupu at Moaʻula Nui.