Kahoolawe is Hawaiian for 'the one that was taken away'. It is the smallest of the islands, and all of its 45 square miles sit in the rain-shadow of Maui. It is desolate, arid, uninhabited, and forbidden.

During the past few decades, it has been a testing ground for munitions for the U.S. Navy. Not just the U.S. Navy, but for almost every ally the U.S. has had during that time. It is littered with bombs, bullets, torpedos, grenades, mines, shells, all under the category of 'UXO', or 'Unexploded Ordinance'. If you go to Kahoolawe, there are many things there that can do you grevious bodily harm, with no help coming (ever).

There has been a strong push for a cleanup. The Navy spent millions of dollars, ran out of money, and left. It has been designated a future sanctuary for the practice of native Hawaiian culture... if it can ever be made safe!

Needless to say, going to Kahoolawe is probably not in the picture, but there are the occasional voluteer cleanup crews that get guided access. In addition to explosives, the law, strong currents, and sharks, there is also one other reason not to go to Kahoolawe... there is nothing there.