Arts & Letters Gallery on Nu‘uanu Avenue in Honolulu’s Chinatown presents an exhibition highlighting a milestone movement that helped fuel countless modern aloha ‘āina actions and organizations. By occupying the Island of Kaho‘olawe in 1976, this effort led to the creation of an islands-wide grassroots organization, the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana and a pathway for the subsequent process of restoration of the island as a place for healing and the reinstatement of Hawaiian protocol rights.

I Ola Kanaloa! I Ola Kakou: Photographs of Kaho‘olawe, 1976–1987 presents images that Hawai‘i photographer Franco Salmoiraghi made during three early Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana huaka‘i, or access trips, to the island—in 1976, 1979 and 1987.  The black-and-white photographs—vivid records of moments of contemplation, struggle and joy—remain potent today, reminders of the level of long-term commitment needed from community to create systemic change. 

At a time when Native Hawaiians are increasingly tackling contemporary issues, from the defense of Mauna Kea from development to the protection of O‘ahu’s water resources, a look at the efforts taken by community over forty years ago is a helpful reflection. 

 Salmoiraghi’s early three visits were “first as a witness to make photographs that documented the commitment of the people to the restoration of the ‘āina,” the photographer told the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission in a 2014 interview. “I was there as a participant, to use photographs to help create an awareness of the struggle and to show the inherent beauty of the island.”

 Assisting in the development of the exhibition were ‘Ohana members Davianna Pōmaikaʻi McGregor, professor of ethnic studies at the University of Hawai‘i and Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, family medicine physician on Molokaʻi and co-founder of the ‘Ohana. They, along with younger generation ‘Ohana members Kylee and Kekaulike Mar, collaborated with Salmoiraghi and Drew Kahu‘āina Broderick, director of Koa Gallery at Kapi‘olani Community College, to select images and craft labels, including context, history, names, and places. It is hoped that the exhibition will serve as a source of inspiration and information for those who have not been “on island,” and a reminder for those who have to recommit to caring for places that need our continued presence and commitment to be of service to ‘āina and the ways of our kupuna. The exhibition also hopes to inspire younger generations emerging as ‘Ohana torch bearers as well as an acknowledgment of  the many hundreds of volunteers who have been a valuable part of Kaho‘olawe’s restoration throughout the years.