Kaʻula
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Kaʻula Island, also called Kaʻula Rock, is a small, crescent-shaped island in the Hawaiian Islands.
MythologyEdit
In the legend of Papa and Wākea, KaTemplate:Okinaula is the seventh-born child.
GeographyEdit
It is located Template:Convert west-southwest of Kawaihoa Point on [[Niihau|NiTemplate:Okinaihau]], and about Template:Convert west of Honolulu. The island is the top of a volcanic tuff cone that rests on top of a larger, submerged shield volcano. At its highest point, the island reaches a height of Template:Convert.<ref>Kaula Volcano John Seach, Volcano Live</ref> The ocean has carved large sea cliffs on the sides of the island. There is a large cave on the northwest side of the island called Kahalauaola (Shark Cave).<ref>KaTemplate:Okinaula Island Template:Webarchive NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell, Student Connection</ref>
The United States Census Bureau defines KaTemplate:Okinaula as Census Tract 411 of [[Kauai County, Hawaii|KauaTemplate:Okinai County, HawaiTemplate:Okinai]]. The 2000 census showed that the uninhabited island had a land area of Template:Convert.<ref>Census Tract 411, KauaTemplate:Okinai County United States Census Bureau</ref> Because of erosion, the island is slowly shrinking.
Kaʻula, which he spelled as "Tahoora", was one of the first five islands sighted by Captain James Cook in 1778.
LighthouseEdit
A lighthouse was completed on the island in 1932 by the United States Lighthouse Service, which became part of the United States Coast Guard in 1939. The lighthouse remained in operation through 1947.
Military useEdit
The island has been used as a bombing range by the United States Navy since at least 1952. Inert ordnance is currently used, although live explosive ordnance has been used in the past. There is a risk of unexploded ordnance on the island. Permission from the U.S. Navy is required to land on the island. In 1978, over the objection of the U.S. Navy, the state of HawaiTemplate:Okinai claimed ownership of KaTemplate:Okinaula and named the island a State Seabird Sanctuary.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A final determination of ownership has not yet been made, and the Navy still uses the southeast point of the island as an aerial bombing and strafing target.<ref>U.S. Coast Pilot 7, Chapter 14, p. 634</ref>
DivingEdit
KaTemplate:Okinaula is uninhabited, but fishermen and scuba divers frequently visit the island. Five Fathom Pinnacle, Template:Convert west-northwest of KaTemplate:Okinaula, is also a noted dive spot.<ref>Underwater Photos from Five Fathom Pinnacle</ref>
See alsoEdit
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Offshore Islet Restoration Committee, Kaula
- KaTemplate:Okinaula Island
- Nautical Chart Containing KaTemplate:Okinaula Island
- Kaula Rock Photos Photographs of KaTemplate:Okinaula Island, May 2008
- Template:Cite gvp
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