Photo: NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the… · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsLandmark· Kahoolawe· Hawaii
Kahoolawe (Restricted Island)
20° 30.0′ N · 156° 36.0′ W · approximate
The smallest of the eight main islands, 11 miles long, dry and red-dusted, sacred to Kanaloa and bombed by the US military from World War II until 1990; from the water you see its 800-foot south cliffs, Puu Koae rock off Kamohio Bay, and red dust plumes streaming downwind in strong trades.
Practical
Approx: a point off the south coast about 3.5 nm south of the island centre (20.55, -156.60, Wikipedia), outside the 2 nm Reserve line for viewing. Highest point Puu Moaulanui crater, about 1,477 ft (Wikipedia); Coast Pilot names Puu O Moaulaiki, 1,444 ft near the east end, as the most prominent landmark. Coast Pilot pilotage notes, for situational awareness only (entry is prohibited): Kanapou Bay on the east side gives kona-weather shelter with depths of 15-20 fathoms off Keoneuli (Beck Cove); Honokanaia near the west end was described as the island's best anchorage in 10-12 fathoms; Kuia Shoal (least depth 1 fathom) runs 0.7 mile west from Lae o Kealaikahiki, so give the west point 1.5 miles berth. The Navy ended live-fire in 1990 and transferred the island to the State in 1994. UXO remains on land and in the water.
Best for
Sailing past for the cliffs and the history
Nearby
- Kahoolawe Reserve Zone B Trolling Weekends1.6 NM away
- Kahoolawe Island Reserve3 NM away
- Kahoolawe Volunteer and Cultural Access (KIRC / PKO)6.3 NM away
- Molokini Backwall9.7 NM away
- Molokini Crater Marine Life Conservation District9.8 NM away
- Molokini Day-Use Moorings and Anchoring Ban9.9 NM away
- Molokini Inner Crater Reef (Enenue)10 NM away
- Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve11.2 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).