Kelly McHugh and Lopaka White of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission will lead an informative presentation on Kahoolawe at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise breakfast meeting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24 (see story on page 20). Here, White points out sights to volunteers on Kahoolawe.

LAHAINA – An informative presentation about the island of Kahoolawe will be held at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise breakfast meeting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The public is invited to attend the meeting at the historic Pioneer Inn. The $10 fee includes a hearty breakfast with a choice of menu items.

Kelly McHugh and Lopaka White, staff members of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC), will be the speakers. KIRC’s mission is to restore, protect, preserve and provide access to Kahoolawe.

McHugh and White will share the experiences they have had during many years working on the physical and cultural restoration of the island and its surrounding marine environment. White has led thousands of volunteers in the faunal restoration and re-vegetative efforts of this cultural reserve

Archeological evidence indicates that the island was formerly a navigational center for voyaging. It had an adz quarry, an agricultural center and was a site for religious and cultural ceremonies.

During WWII and up to 1990, the island was used as a bombing range. After decades of protests, the U.S. Navy ended live bombing in 1990, and Kahoolawe was placed under the administration of KIRC. After ten years of ordinance removal, the island was returned to the State of Hawaii in 2003.

During the breakfast presentation, vivid images of Kahoolawe and the restoration taking place there will be shared via Power Point. McHugh and White will discuss the history of the island, current programs and volunteer opportunities on both the island and at KIRC’s Boat House in Kihei.