[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 75 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5266-S5267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            KAHO'OLAWE; REBIRTH OF A SACRED HAWAIIAN ISLAND

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to call my colleagues' 
attention to an excellent exhibit that opened last week at the 
Smithsonian Institution's Arts and Industries Building, entitled, 
``Kaho'olawe; Rebirth of a Sacred Hawaiian Island.'' The exhibit 
chronicles the rich history of the island of Kaho'olawe from its 
mythical beginnings to current efforts towards its protection and 
revitalization. The exhibit is a project of the Bishop Museum Native 
Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program, and is sponsored by the Smithsonian 
Asian Pacific American Program, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Community 
Development Pacific, and Protect Kaho'olawe `Ohana/Fund.
  I was deeply moved by the exhibit and its eloquent reflection of the 
Hawaiian value of ``aloha aina,'' which means love for the land, which 
serves as a foundation for the culture of Hawaii's indigenous peoples; 
the Native Hawaiians. The profound appreciation for Hawaiian culture 
and its values is reflected in Hawaii's state motto, 'Ua mau ke'ea `o 
ka `aina `i ka pono, ``the life of the land is perpetuated in its 
righteousness.'' The exhibition celebrates Hawaii's culture and people 
in telling the story of Kaho'olawe.
  Ancient chants--plaintive and poetic oral histories of Hawaii--along 
with archaeological evidence indicate that Kaho'olawe was inhabited by 
Native Hawaiians who fished and farmed in coastal and upland 
settlements scattered across the island. In ancient times, the island 
was referred to as Kanaloa for the god of the ocean and the foundations 
of the earth.
  From 1941 to 1994, Kaho'olawe and its surrounding waters were under 
the control of the United States Navy. Both the island and the waters 
of Kaho'olawe were used as a live-fire training range. In 1990, 
President George Bush directed the Department of Defense to cease using 
the island of Kaho'olawe as a training range. In 1993, Congress enacted 
legislation that recognized the cultural significance of Kaho'olawe, 
required its return to the State of Hawaii, and directed the Navy to 
conduct unexploded ordnance cleanup and environmental restoration in 
partnership with the State of Hawaii. Congress authorized Federal 
funding through 2003 for the cleanup of Kaho'olawe. We continue to work 
with the Navy to ensure that this funding is utilized for maximum 
cleanup of the island before access is turned over to the State of 
Hawaii in late 2003.
  The restoration of Kaho'olawe is more than the cleanup of ordnance. 
Native Hawaiians also referred to Kaho'olawe as ``Ko Hema Lamalama,'' 
the Southern Beacon, in reference to the island's use as a navigational 
aid, or shining beacon, for long-distance voyagers returning to Hawaii. 
For many Hawaiians, the vision of a fully restored Kaho'olawe serves as 
a guiding light to the revitalization of Native Hawaiian culture.
  I encourage all of my colleagues and their staff to visit this 
exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's Arts and Industries Building. 
I always welcome

[[Page S5267]]

the opportunity to share the true essence of Hawaii with my colleagues 
and our fellow citizens on the U.S. mainland. We have the honor and 
privilege of showing you a bit of Hawaii in Washington, DC, until 
September 2, 2002, and I invite you to share in this wonderful 
experience.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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