A New View of the Forbidden Island – Soil Survey on Kaho'olawe
A New View of the Forbidden Island – Soil Survey on Kaho'olawe
featuring guest lecturer
Dr. Cynthia Stiles
Assistant State Soil Scientist
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The island of Kaho'olawe is the smallest of the eight major Hawaiian Islands. At present, it is a place of windswept austerity, reflecting the harsh treatment at the hands of humanity. Early Hawaiians dedicated the island to the deity Kanaloa and dwelled in harmony with the limited land and water resources. Historic newcomers to the Hawaiian Islands considered Kaho'olawe to be inhospitable and unfriendly and repurposed the land as a penal colony, livestock ranches, and finally as a live-fire bombing range. Kaho'olawe is now a challenging and rewarding restoration project, with the land held in trust for the Hawaiian people (Kaho'olawe Island Reserve).
Land and soil surveys of Kaho'olawe were initially done to facilitate military land use (1942), and then to assist early restoration plans (1995). The latest soil survey was completed in 2010 and is presently available on-line. This presentation will discuss the challenges to complete the latest soil survey and provide a view ‘beneath the surface’ of this hauntingly beautiful island.
Join us to learn more about the soils of Kaho'olawe!
Each attendee will receive a coupon for
one (1) free beverage to redeem at the ING DIRECT Cafe!
Directions to the ING DIRECT Cafe in Waikiki
