Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People
Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People introduces readers to the history of Kahoʻolawe, the smallest Hawaiian island, and the powerful story of the activists who have fought to protect and restore her.
Written and illustrated by Native Hawaiians, this beautifully crafted book brings attention to an often-overlooked piece of history, blending storytelling with cultural education and environmental advocacy.
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Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People
The narrative begins with the creation of Kahoʻolawe, an island in the Pacific Ocean named for Kanaloa, the Hawaiian god of the sea. The island flourished as a haven for Polynesian voyagers and marine life. For centuries, Kahoʻolawe remained at peace until its story took a devastating turn during World War II.
In 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. military seized the island, using it as a training ground. Bombing exercises caused severe environmental damage, and for decades, Kahoʻolawe endured harm and neglect. The book chronicles how Native Hawaiian activists raised awareness, peacefully protested, and ultimately succeeded in returning Kahoʻolawe to the State of Hawaii in 1994. Today, the island is healing, thanks to the dedicated efforts of volunteers committed to its restoration.
Story Features
This book excels in its ability to educate readers of all ages:
- Informational Details: Each page includes information boxes with extra context for older readers, such as key dates, names, and organizations pivotal to the island’s history. These enrich the storytelling while grounding it in historical facts.
➜ Readers can explore the author’s website for photographs of Kahoʻolawe. - Timeline: A helpful timeline at the end of the book outlines major events, providing a clear historical framework for readers.
- Hawaiian Vocabulary: The story incorporates Hawaiian words and phrases, encouraging children to infer their meanings through context. A glossary and pronunciation guide (accessible on the author’s website) enhance the learning experience.
- Interactive Text: Bold statements on each spread, such as “Kahoʻolawe is happy” and “Kahoʻolawe endures,” create opportunities for young readers to engage with the text. These can be used to discuss cause-and-effect relationships, identify supporting details, or complete a timeline.
Story Discussion Guide
- What natural resources of the island provided a good life for the first residents? (scrubland forests provided pili grass for thatching of shelters, medicinal plants to keep the people well, hard woods to make tools, canoes, and houses)
- What things damaged the landscape? (goats, cattle ranching, non-native trees, rain)
- Name some of the effects of the U.S. military training. (explosions scare off animals, missiles break living coral reefs, Operation Sailor Hat – cracking underground water table, discharging fresh water that continues to leak into the crater formed by the blasts)
- What made Congress decide to stop the bombing? (awareness, protests)
- Describe the mess that the government left behind. (debris, reefs covered in red dirt, invasive species, hungry animals threatening seabird populations, nets, buoys, plastic bags and containers)
- What is done with the collected ocean debris? (recycled, flown to Maui to convert into energy)
- What do the stewards do to help? (grow native plants to stop erosion and hold down the sand along the shoreline, and build structures to divert rainwater to new seedlings)
- How do you think we/you can help? (raise awareness, donate)
Perfect for Celebrating Diversity
This book is an excellent addition to any library, especially for educators and parents seeking to celebrate diversity and cultural understanding. It’s an ideal read for the 13th Annual Read Your World Day (formerly Multicultural Children’s Book Day), which spotlights diverse stories in children’s literature. See more below.
Through vivid illustrations, compelling storytelling, and rich cultural details, Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People offers a moving tribute to resilience, activism, and the ongoing journey of healing and restoration.
Meet The Author & Illustrator
Kamalani Hurley is a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) writer from Honolulu. She grew up in the working-class urban neighborhood of Pālama and is a proud graduate of the Kamehameha Schools. Kamalani’s stories are rooted in her Indigenous community, and they invite readers to explore the islands’ rich cultural traditions. An avid reader and gardener, she lives in Hawaiʻi with her family.
Harinani Orme is a Native Hawaiian artist who was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and a Master of Fine Arts degree at the Pratt Institute in New York. Currently, her works focus on the myths, legends and traditions of old Hawaiʻi. She sees her works as an ongoing process of experimentation, harvestation and assemblage until the emerging images takes a life form of its own.
Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about the mission and history HERE.
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FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day
- RYW2025 Poster
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- Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
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Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
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*** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parents, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025, at our virtual party!