How do we build a Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana,,,(PKO) Movement to,,,Stop the Bombing of Pohakuloa?
jim albertini
How do we build a Protect
Kaho’olawe Ohana
(PKO) Movement to
Stop the Bombing of Pohakuloa?
January 4, 2026 marked 50 years since the first landing on Kaho’olawe by 9 Hawaiians that eventually led to the bombing being stopped. The 9 were: George Helm, Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, Kimo Aluli, Kawaipuna Prejean, Walter Ritte, Ian Lind, Ellen Miles, Steve Morse and Karla Villalba.
George Helm Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli
“It took persistence, and cost the lives of two people, George Helm and Kimo Mitchell, but on Oct. 22, 1990, the bombing and military use of the island finally ended. On May 7, 1994, the island officially was turned over to the State of Hawai‘i, and Congress appropriated $400 million for a 10-year project to start the clean up the island and the unexploded ordnance (UXO)
“The restoration of the sacred island, and the crusade for Native Hawaiian rights, continues today with the next generations inspired by the Kaho’olawe Nine.” Rob Collias, Big island Now, Jan. 5, 2026
“Their courage and heroism in risking not only arrest, but death was the catalyst for the formation of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and the birth of the modern Aloha ‘Āina Movement that now celebrates 50 years.”
Doctor Emmett Aluli said, “One of the old sayings is: ‘Take care of the land and the land takes care of you.’ The health of the land, is the health of our people, and actually the health of our nation. So we made a commitment to do something about it. And we were able to get the bombing stopped.”
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The military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) located in the center of Hawaii Island is 133,000 acres, nearly 5 times the size of Kaho’olawe. PTA has been bombed and shelled for 80 years with millions of live rounds, contaminating the air, land, and water with military toxins, including Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation, lead, PFAS, etc. Many historic and cultural sites exist and have been desecrated at Pohakuloa.
The State lease of 23,000 acres at Pohakuloa is due to expire in 2029. Gov. Josh Green is negotiating with the Army for a $10 Billion cash deal instead of pushing for the base to be permanently closed, cleaned up, and the lands returned to the Kanaka Maoli,
Aloha ‘Aina Now & Forever!
Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola'a (Kurtistown), Hawai’i 96760 Phone (808) 966-7622
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-- Jim Albertini Malu 'Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola'a (Kurtistown) Hawai'i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email j...@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
-- Jim Albertini Malu 'Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola'a (Kurtistown) Hawai'i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email j...@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org