First Interview

Today I interviewed Mike Nahoopii. He has a long standing relationship with Kaho'olawe that goes back about twenty seven years. He is now the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission Executive Director. The interview was about an hour long and went really well. He is a really animated person that is used to giving interviews. He talked about when he first went to the island as a boy in 1981 for a camping trip and how you could find archaeological sights all over the island. Later in his Navy career he got involved with the island again by being put in charge of the Navy's ammunitions clean up and restoration project. It was really interesting to hear his perspective on the cultural significance of the island. He also helped me to understand the idea of the island being entrusted to the state and one day being given back to the Hawaiian Sovereign nation.
The interview went well. He said he enjoyed talking about all of it because a lot of times he has all these thoughts about the Kaho'olawe and his culture, but doesn't have the opportunity to really focus on them because he is so busy with other projects. I will give him a copy of the recording and transcription when I am done. I really liked doing it. Now I am going to contact a few more people for interviews. I might have to go to Oahu for the next one. Should be fun.