It has been a long time since I have added anything new to this blog. But Kaho'olawe still haunts my thoughts. I mostly think about why the story of Kaho'olawe is so impacting. I haven't stopped researching for this project. Right now I am gathering secondary sources that will support my findings and conclude my research in the spring of 2009. Recently I read a book called The Earth's Blanket by Nancy J. Turner. It is about Native Americans in British Colombia who went through a similar movement to reclaim land that had been left desolate by loggers and farmers. What stood out to me was the idea of a "kincentric approach to nature" which suggests that everything in the universe is regarded as a relative, including the land and wildlife. This is how Kaho'olawe is seen by Native Hawaiians. Kaho'olawe is viewed as a part of the ohana (family). This is why the story of Kaho'olawe is so tragic to Native Hawaiians. Kaho'olawe was first used carelessly, and then taken away from its family. After being partially returned to its family, it was left sick and littered with bombs. When members of the PKO talk about Kaho'olawe, it is usually so emotional and passionate. Their voice vibrates with sorrow. The idea of Kaho'olawe being a family member sheds light on why there is so much emotion in the words spoken.