Kahoʻolawe: The movement to return land to Native Hawaiians

Abstract

This project explores the intersection of architecture, social justice, and cultural preservation within the Native Hawaiian community, specifically looking at the island of Kaho‘olawe. Kaho‘olawe, an island with deep cultural and historical significance, has long been a symbol of the broader struggles faced by Native Hawaiians—land dispossession, environmental neglect, and the suppression of Indigenous knowledge. Through decades of military use which included bombing, Kaho‘olawe suffered extreme physical and ecological damage, further severing the connection between Native Hawaiians and their ancestral land. This project seeks to confront these historical injustices through architecture, envisioning built environments that foster cultural reconnection, environmental restoration, and educational opportunities for future generations.By grounding the project in Hawaiian history and cultural practices, this work highlights how architecture can go beyond aesthetics and functionality to actively participate in cultural healing. Modern architectural solutions, including sustainable construction methods, off-grid infrastructure, and climate-responsive design, become tools for both ecological stewardship and cultural revival. The creation of culturally appropriate structures, such as traditional hales and community gathering spaces, serves multiple purposes: providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Kaho‘olawe’s significance, offering Native Hawaiian practitioners spaces to teach cultural knowledge, and demonstrating how innovative, environmentally-conscious design can work in harmony with traditional building techniques. This project does not seek to modernize or Westernize the land, but rather to apply contemporary architectural approaches in ways that amplify cultural authenticity, respect Indigenous protocols, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Ultimately, this paper frames architecture not only as a physical act of construction, but also as a tool for decolonization, cultural empowerment, and environmental justice, positioning Kaho‘olawe as a powerful model for future Indigenous-led design and land restoration efforts across Hawai‘i and beyond.