Ordnance at Kahoʻolawe, 2015
2578 hits
The island was a naval bombing range for decades after WWII. Bombs like this can work their way to the surface, even in places scanned and cleared of UXO (unexploded ordnance).

UXO at Kahoʻolawe, 1994
2825 hits
1994. Ordnance projectiles gathered along the side of the dirt road at Kealialalo, part of the UXO clearance prior to the island being returned to the State of Hawaiʻi. Much UXO remains, however.

17-9 Luku3
1109 hits

A post marking the limit of UXO sub-surface clearance, 2015
2209 hits
Thousands of posts like this mark the limit of sub-surface ordnance clearance. Beyond the posts, only the surface has been cleared of UXO (unexploded ordnance).

UXO markers, Kahoʻolawe, 2016
2070 hits
Between the stakes lies the section cleared of UXO (unexploded ordnance) down to a depth of four feet. Outside the markers, the terrain has only been surface (visually) cleared. Other sections of the island in more inaccessible terrain have never been cleared and are off limits.

Kahoʻolawe, 2017
1390 hits
This dirt track allows access to sections of the hard pan being replanted with native vegetation. It lies just above Hakioawa Bay. Between the posts, ground has been cleared for UXO down to a depth of four feet.

17-9 ErodedGully
1244 hits

Erosion control efforts above Hakioawa, 2012
3083 hits
Erosion control efforts above Hakioawa, 2012

Kahoʻolawe, 2017
1438 hits
Several 500-ton blasts of TNT made this crater in 1965. It was an attempt by the US Navy to mimic the effects of a nuclear blast and to study its efffects on ships moored nearby. Water in the crater used to be brackish but is now entirely saline