Requirements to Participate on a PKO Huaka‘i

  • Completed forms (KIRC Volunteer Packet and ‘Ohana Registration and Liability Form) and payment of huaka‘i costs must be submitted by required deadline
  • Participants must attend a Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana orientation prior to scheduled access
  • Participants must know how to swim and be comfortable in the ocean
  • Most importantly, participants must feel mentally, spiritually, and physically ready to experience Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe

Forms and Payment

  • To be completed and submitted to the access coordinator at orientation
  • Click here to download the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission Volunteer Packet (REQUIRED)
  • Click here to download the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana Registration  Form for a 4-day huakaʻi
  • Click here to download the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana Registration Form for a 5-day huakaʻi
  • Click here to download the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana Liability Form (REQUIRED)
  • Click here to download the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana Keiki Water Safety Agreement
  • Click here to download the Protect Kaho‘olawe ʻOhana Orientation Packet (for your information)
  • ​​Checks may be made payable to Protect Kaho‘olawe Fund

PKO Safety Orientation

Access begins at orientation. All participants must attend an orientation and safety briefing in order to be granted access to Kaho‘olawe. This measure helps to ensure the safety of participants, introduces participants to the Kua (backbone, refers to those who are willing to bend their backs in hard work to ensure safe and successful accesses. Kua are facilitators of PKO accesses to Kaho‘olawe) and Access Guides (trained and certified by the KIRC), discusses Kaho‘olawe as a wahi pana and pu‘uhonua, sets expectations, confirms participantsʻ understanding that the appearance of Kaho‘olawe is rugged, the ecosyste is fragile and we aim at keeping human impact to a minimum.

  • Topics covered at orientation:
    1. PKO Background and history
    2. Logistics
    3. Safety
    4. Sanctions
    5. KIRC Volunteer Forms
    6. Access Fees
    7. Basic Island Rules
    8. ‘Ukana
    9. First Aid
    10. Medical Emergency Notification
    11. Cultural Protocols
    12. Natural and Cultural Resource Protection
    13. Access Schedule and Logistics