Kaho’olawe – Perfect Picture Book Friday

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When we review our individual pasts, it can be difficult to recall painful incidents. People or other living beings (and yes, that includes places) we’ve hurt, sometimes thoughtlessly, sometimes out of anger. And sometimes our good intentions did more harm than good. When it comes to countries, the damage caused—regardless of the intent—can be devastating.

This beautiful book discloses a painful truth. The U.S. destroyed one of Hawaii’s island jewels, Kaho’olawe. The island, a sacred site for Hawaiian people, was seized and used as target practice by the U.S. military during WWII. And it took more than 40 years and concentrated grass roots efforts for the island to be returned to the state. But lets take a step back and get a glimpse of Kaho’olawe when she first arrived.

In the middle of the great Pacific Ocean
is a little island. Her name is Kanaloa
Kaho'olawe. She rises from fire.

Kaho’olawe is born.

The context provided within the plume of the volcano explains how the island was named after Kanaloa, the Hawaiian god of the sea. The island is the physical form of the god.

The little island teems with life.
Naupaka kahakai shrubs cling to
the rocky shores. Mōlī and other 
seabirds soar overhead, searching
for their next meal.

Migrating families of humpback whales feed
in her warm waters. Spinner dophins leap and
play at Honokanai'a, the Bay of Dolphins.

Kaho’olawe thrives.

Additional text describes how the sea surrounding the island was rich and fertile. Life was gloriously abundant. And then Polynesian voyagers discovered the island. Some made it their home.

Kaho’olawe is happy.

But then goats arrived on a colonial ship. The goats overran the island and wrought havoc, destroying native vegetation and altering the island’s climate so much it stopped raining.

Kaho’olawe is thirsty.

Then came WWII and its aftermath.

Kaho’olawe is lonely, hurt, weary, needs help—and finally gets help, a healing ceremony in 1992 and her freedom in 1993.

By 2004, the U.S. Navy, responsible for cleaning up the unexploded bombs and other military detritus, had cleaned up only 3/4 of the island and none of the surrounding bombed up reefs, though they pronounced their work complete. I’m perpetually angry at how the U.S. government has made and continues to make promises to so many and then falls far short in fulfilling them.

But thankfully, restoration and conservation of the island is underway, with an active working group guiding the efforts.

While tragic in many ways, it’s a beautifully told, important story for children to know and understand. We must look upon the ugliness of our past to learn and remember so we can avoid repeating our mistakes.

This is ultimately a hopeful story—that:

Kaho’olawe endures

Kaho’olawe persists.

Kaho’olawe lives.

And while she will never forget, she will live to heal from the damage done to her.

Aloha ‘āina!

Back matter includes author and illustrator notes, a timeline, glossary of Hawaiian words, ideas for how kids can get involved in their own communities, and cultural/environmental resources and references. This is a beautiful book that makes me want to hug the island and apologize for how she has been wronged.

The author is donating 100 percent of her proceeds from sales of this book to the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana. All the more reason to buy a copy for yourself. Cheers!

Activities:

Make a volcanic island using NASA’s educational lesson plan.

Make finger puppets, masks, or protected species postcards, using the templates on the State of Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources Education page.

Take part in a local conservation activity, including clean-up days, park planting or invasive species removal days, or Bioblitz identification days near you.

Visit Kamalani Hurley’s website for additional resources.

Title: Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People

Author: Kamalani Hurley

Illustrator: Harinani Orme

Publisher: Lerner/Millbrook, 2025

Ages: Elementary school

Themes: Hawaiian culture, history, conservation

For more perfect picture book recommendations, please visit Susanna Hill’s website.