Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2003 — Kaho'olawe Ohana [ARTICLE]

Kaho'olawe Ohana

In 1984, the Navy and the 'Ohana mutually agreed to let minors under the age of 15 access Kaho'olawe. Hundreds of keiki have enjoyed Kaho'olawe with parents, teachers, scout leaders and kumu hula. In 2001, the Navy and the 'Ohana added a requirement for eaeh keiki under 15 to eome with an adult. Then, in January 2003, the Navy reversed itself. It denied access to a five-year-old boy whom it earlier approved on Kaho'olawe with his father in Apiil 2002. It denied access to a 17-month old-child whose father has been participating in Makahiki on Kaho'olawe for 15 years, is a lifeguard, is trained in first response and hazardous materials disposal (HAZMAT), and who worked on the elean up project detecting ordnance in Hakioawa, the 'Ohana's eamp. We urge all who would suggest that the Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana does not have safety protocols to heed the words of George Jarrett Helm: "Do your homework." We are careful. Safety orientations are mandatory for all first-timers, and anyone who hasn't visited the island with the 'Ohana in two Oi more years. Everyone, children and adults, must know how to swim ... in the oeean. We implement adult-to-minor ratios for youth groups. Children under 7 must be aeeompanied by a parent who has been to Kaho'olawe and is familiar with the safety procedures. We interview eaeh parent. Sometimes we must find that a child is NOT ready for Kaho'olawe. Eaeh child, eaeh parent, is unique. For 23 years, the 'Ohana has taken thousands of people from keiki to kupuna, all ethnicities, and levels of ability. And we have had far fewer serious injuries on island than has the U.S. Navy. We do not recklessly expose huaka'i participants to danger. Age does not tell us whom to restrict, it tells us who will need extra support and guidance. This is the kuleana given us when Aunty Edith Kanaka'ole gave us the name Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana. Kim Ku'ulei Birnie Access Co-Coordinator, Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana OHA reserves the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right to print. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola o OHA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813 or email to oha2002 @ aloha. net. ■