HAWAI'I POST ®

Main Page

Services

Area served

Stamps

First Day Covers

Stamp Booklets

Ordering Stamps

Future Issues

Standing Order

Postmarks

Contact us

About us

Privacy

Links.....

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

--

November 11th 2003 - Return of the island of Kaho'olawe from the U.S. Navy to the State of Hawai'i.

A stamp was issued on November 11th 2003 to celebrate the return of the island of Kaho'olawe from the U.S. Navy to the State of Hawai'i.

The $5 stamp (below) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows a map of the island of Kaho'olawe which has been arbitrarily split into two by a dotted line. The left side depicts the previous use of the island as a naval target - Kaho'olawe was once known as "Target Island". The right side depicts the bright green future of the island with a symbolic palm tree.

The Hawaiian island of Kaho'olawe is located to the southwest of Maui and covers an area of 45 square miles. The U.S. Navy used the entire island for target practice from 1941 until 1990. Over the years, many native Hawaiians fought for demilitarization of the island by a series of occupations. This ended in 1976 when access to Kaho'olawe was made illegal. Bombing of the island by the U.S. Navy ceased in 1990. Lobbying of Congress by Senator Dan Inouye of Hawai'i and others, led to a law being passed in 1993 which required the U.S. Navy to clear unexploded ordnance and eventually return the island to the State of Hawai'i. $400 million was allocated by Congress for the clean-up. So far, this vast sum has helped to remove 92,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance and 8.5 million tons of scrap metal from the island. Nine miles of internal roads were also built leading from a base camp and landing site at Honokanai'a, on the southwest corner of Kaho'olawe, to the summit at Pu'u Moa'ulanui.

On November 11th 2003, the island of Kaho'olawe was officially handed over to the State of Hawai'i by the U.S. Navy. A ceremony by Hawaiians was held on November 12th 2003 at 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu. However, 10% of Kaho'olawe still remains uncleared of unexploded ordnance.

The future of the island will include the eventual clearance of the entire island of all ordnance, plus revegetation using native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants. A new boat landing will be built at Kuhe'eia on the north west coast with a new access road to Pu'u Moa'ulanui, connecting with the other nine miles of roads. Currently, the main method of entry for Hawaiians is by helicopter from Maui to a helipad at Honokanai'a, but a landing strip for fixed wing aircraft is planned. Several campsites will be allocated for the use of Hawaiians involved in traditional ceremonies and those helping with the clean-up and revegetation. Access by others will be restricted for many years to come.

The special postmark for this issue shows an outline of the island of Kaho'olawe.

Click here to order the stamp.

WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS

Click here to place a Standing Order for all future issues

Technical details of the stamp:
Colors: Multicolored.
Size: 48mm x 32mm
S
tamp sheet size: 30 (5 across, 6 down).
Perforation: 12.
Stamp design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black).
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 5 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2003 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.


Return to list of stamp issues

For details on upcoming stamp issues click here


 

copyright 2000-2006 hawaii-post.com
all rights reserved
"Hawaii Post" is a registered Service Mark