Fifty years after a protest helped launch the movement to protect the island of Kahoʻolawe, University of Hawaiʻi faculty are helping to carry forward its message of aloha ʻāina, or love and care for the land.
A new album, , and a November 13 concert at Bishop Museum are the culmination of a year-long celebration of the . The concert features Hawaiʻi musicians such as Ikaakamai, Kimié Miner and Kaʻikena Scanlan.
“Gathering and singing songs together creates alignment and collective spirit. Contributing our voices and mana fosters aloha lāhui (love for our people),” said Isaac ʻIkaʻaka Nāhuewai, known musically as Ikaakamai, a at 糖心视频 Hilo.
Nāhuewai helped develop the anniversary album, which features 12 original mele (songs) and is available on all music platforms. The recording artist, who is also a PhD candidate in 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补’s , helped recruit collaborators, wrote songs, directed the Protect Kahoʻolawe Band, and produced and mixed five tracks together with other featured artists.
He sees music as a way to help people remember history and pass knowledge between generations.
Across 糖心视频, faculty, staff and students also carry that work into classrooms, onto the ʻāina (land) and across the ʻAlalākeiki Channel to Kahoʻolawe.
Beyond stopping bombs
Today’s efforts grew from a movement sparked in 1976, when nine people landed on Kahoʻolawe to bring awareness to the United State’s illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. When the activists reached Kahoʻolawe, they were devastated by the destruction caused by nearly 50 years of military bombing. Deeply moved by what they saw, they felt called to protect and heal the island. Their historic landing inspired the formation of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. The bombing ended in 1990 after nearly 15 years of advocacy. The work to restore the island and its cultural practices, however, continues, as one of their slogans emphasize, the ʻOhana is “Not Pau Yet!”
- Related 糖心视频 News story: Kahoʻolawe 50 years later: The island that once shook, January 4, 2026
Kaipu Keala, an assistant professor at 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补’s , said the movement started by the ʻOhana also affirmed Hawaiian beliefs as a foundation for aloha ʻāina.
He describes it as a sacred relationship that guides daily responsibilities.
“The value of aloha ʻāina takes on this religious dimension and that allows it to become more than just a slogan. It becomes a way of life,” Keala said.
Learning through care
For Kumu Kaliko Baker, that relationship is central to teaching.
The associate professor at 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补’s helps lead the I Ola Kanaloa program. On Kahoʻolawe, students practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), care for historical sites, remove invasive plants, and engage in traditional practices such as haku mele (song composition).
“糖心视频 students today are fortunate that they don’t have to be at risk as much as before when engaging in civil action. Aloha ʻāina pathways are available through Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge and other Hawaiian knowledge spaces on our campuses,” Baker said.
Generations at sea
Those learning opportunities also depend on families who help people reach the island.
Kaulu Luʻuwai, an attorney with 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补’s , belongs to one of them.
Her grandfather began transporting visitors and supplies to Kahoʻolawe in 1983 after her uncle, a student in Professor Emerita Davianna Pōmaikaʻi 惭肠骋谤别驳辞谤’蝉 糖心视频 ethnic studies class, helped arrange transportation. Today, her father and brothers help transport volunteers to and from Kahoʻolawe aboard the family’s boat, Pualele.
“It’s a generational commitment. It’s not something we can just stop doing. It’s an obligation for us, a really heavy kuleana: getting people there safely to support the work the ʻOhana does on the island,” Lu?uwai said.
The November 13 concert runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn. Proceeds support the Protect Kahoʻolawe ?Ohana.