Conservation and the Future of Kaho’olawe

After decades of damage to the island of Kaho’olawe the restoration of the island is in sight and conservationists are excited about the future of the island.

Kaho’olawe Island has a long history of being used for environmentally damaging purposes from the overgrazing of cattle and sheep to bombing by the US military to the introduction of invasive species. Although the island has experienced decades of damage conservationists are hopeful that with restoration and conservation the island can flourish with native species once again.

The Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) and the Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana are working to return the island to the flourishing paradise it once was with native ecosystems such as the dry land forests in areas of limited rainfall.

In partnership with the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC), Island Conservation is working to restore Kaho’olawe by removing invasive species. Island Conservation is hopeful that through these conservation efforts the ecosystem of Kaho’olawe will come alive and that robust populations of native plants and animals will have a chance to thrive again. Conservation efforts on the island will help at least twelve species listed under the Endangered Species Act, including the Hawai’ian Petrel and Newell’s Shearwater.

Watch and read more about the history and recovery of Kaho’olawe.

Featured photo: Seascape from Kaho’olawe Island. Credit: Andrew Wright

Back Next

Want to learn more?

Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.

What is Climate Week?

Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!

Rare Joins the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge

Rare will support the effort to restore island-ocean ecosystems by engaging the Coastal 500 network of local leaders in safeguarding biodiversity (Arlington, VA, USA) Today, international conservation organization Rare announced it has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a global effort to…