This is shot from Ahihi Kinau Marine and Nature Preserve south of Makena looking out towards Kaho'olawe.

At the beginning of WWII, the US government took over control of the island in order to train its navy and air corps personnel
in aerial bombing and naval gun bombardment.

Up until the late 1980's, the U.S. military continued to use it as a bombing and artillery range despite growing protests by
both Hawaii residents and the State government. Finally, the government pulled the plug on the bombing and Kaho'olawe
finally fell silent to the military bombing. (it is interesting to be a civilian and hear naval bombing day or night)

Although the military has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on a "clean up" of the island, only so much of the debris and
unexploded ordinance can be removed. The island will be partially opened to special groups for special occasions, but will
never be opened to the general public and will never see a permanent settlement again.