Kaʻula


Kaʻula Island, also called Kaʻula Rock, is a small, crescent-shaped offshore islet in the Hawaiian Islands.

Mythology

In the legend of Papa and Wākea, Ka'ula is the seventh-born child.

Geography

It is located west-southwest of Kawaihoa Point on Niihau, and about west of Honolulu. The island is actually the very 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. 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.
The United States Census Bureau defines Kaula as Census Tract 411 of Kauai County, Hawaii. The 2000 census showed that the uninhabited island had a land area of. 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.

Lighthouse

A lighthouse was completed on the island in 1932 by the former United States Lighthouse Service. It remained in operation through 1947.

Military use

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 Hawaii claimed ownership of Kaula and named the island a State Seabird Sanctuary. 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.

Diving

Kaula is uninhabited but fishermen and scuba divers frequently visit the island. Five Fathom Pinnacle, west-northwest of Kaula, is also a noted dive spot.