George Helm in the Battle Over Kahoolawe:

Cultural Revolution, Political Reaction and

Social Reform

By Alyssa Arment
Historical Research Paper

George Helm NHD Paper Draft 2

George Helm once said She is not a barren rock that should be used as a target for
military bombing practices in the name of national defense. This sentence was directed as a
calm response to the United States Government, during a conference, when they had questioned
him impudently why Kahoolawe was so important to the Hawaiians. (Yossa) From 1941 to 1994
Kahoolawe was being used as a bombing strip for the United States Military as a result of the
attack on Pearl Harbor. Musician, Hawaiian and activist George Helm, the leader of Protect
Kahoolawe Organization (PKO) worked to put an end to the bombing of the Hawaiians sacred
island. Without the contributions of George Helm the bombing of Kahoolawe would have not
been terminated. Through his efforts he demonstrated activism while spreading awareness of the
tragedy on Kahoolawe by speaking out across the islands, by going on many expeditions to
Kahoolawe as a way of protesting and to survey the area, and lastly by going to Washington D.
C. to lobby his cause to the president.
Hawaiians have been taught growing up that all Hawaiian land is sacred for their
ancestors left it rich with history and culture, and should be well taken care of, which is
demonstrated one way through a saying Aloha Aina meaning love of the land in direct
translation. On December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked and bombed by Japan, leading to
the Territory of Hawaii to be placed under martial law the following day. President Dwight D.
Eisenhower gave the order 10436 to the United Sates Navy, allowing the bombing of
Kahoolawe. The order from the president reserved all but 23.3 acres for the United States
Navy Targets and mock airfields were built on Kahoolawe for practice air attacks and strafing
runs. (History) All ranching operations on Kahoolawe came to an end as the military took
over the entire island. Ship-to-shore bombardment of the island commenced in 1941 and
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intensified starting on October 21, 1943. (History) As a result these recorded events, The
Protect Kahoolawe Organization was formed with activists who protested against the bombing
and those who wanted to preserve the island. Our organization is to purposely find the best
means to protect Kahoolawe from any means of destruction, whether it be military bombs, or
political garbage, or misuse of economics George Helm. (Yossa)
George Helm Jr. is an activist, a talented musician, and a very inspiring Hawaiian who
took leadership by giving speeches to many around the islands. Mr. Helm would often give
speeches to the group of people within the audience before his musical performances. All of
these songs talk about loveAnd thats what protect Kahoolawe Ohana is all about. George
Helm (Yossa) To also spread awareness of the problem the Hawaiians faced George Helm went
to schools around the island to speak to the younger generations. So in other words were saying
that Kahoolawe is not a piece of rock. George Helm. (Yossa) George Helm made many
occasions where he went with other activists to Kahoolawe to survey the land for damage and
temporarily halt the bombing as a long as they were there. We both have been arrested along
with three others and are awaiting trial for trespassing on an island considered to be very sacred
to Hawaiians. (Helm, George and Kauhane, Francis) Helm also went to Washington D.C. to
talk to multiple presidents and congressmen so they would address their plea and put an end to
the problem the Hawaiians faced. President Carter can stop this destruction of the Islandand
of the native culture of Hawaiiby rescinding Executive order 10436, allowing the Navy to
bomb, and by returning the Island to the native Hawaiians (Helm, George.) On February 2 a
letter was written to Mr. Ben Bradlee with a sense of urgency to put a stop to the destruction of
the island. To be such a memorized, inspiring, and unique leader, George had to take many
actions to show the United States that Hawaiians were not going down without a fight.

Many actions were taken by Mr. Helm in order to support the fight for Kahoolawe, such
as traveling to the island of Kahoolawe. They went to Kahoolawe to exam the area and get a
damage report because she was found to have archaeological significance. The recent
archaeological findings of the lates survey of Kahoolawe confirming and documenting her
significance. (Protect Kahoolawe Ohana) Many of PKOs activists went to protest against the
military on many occasions one around the time of February 1st after being fed up and tired of
this long endured battle and the bombing of Kahoolawe. As native Hawaiians we invaded
Kahoolawe to protest this desecration. (Helm, George, Kauhane, Francis and Warrington,
Charles. 1) After going to Kahoolawe they were arrested for trespassing on land being used by
the military. Three of us who have invaded the Island have given ourselves up to the U.S.
Government and will go on trial for trespass. (Helm, George) George Helm accompanied by
activists were frustrated from being accused of trespassing on an island rooted to their culture
and wanted not just other Hawaiians or citizens to know this they wanted the government to
know, so thats why they wrote many letters to the government throughout 1977. Not only did
they travel to Kahoolawe for many reasons, but also the PKO leader George Helm made many
speeches both at school and before performances all around the island.
George Helm helped to make people and children aware of Kahoolawes bombing
problem by telling schools and audiences before his performances, which again contributed to
the ending of the bombing situation. George Helm made many appearances at school and gave
many class presentations to teach kids why its important to know whats happening on
Kahoolawe and not to turn their checks to situations like this. So in other words, Kahoolawe
could be the place, Hawaiians meditated to go or left from when they went to the South Seas, to
Tahiti. So we using a, the word, or the name Kohe Malamalama o Kanaloa and coming up with

these implications. So in other words were saying that Kahoolawe is not a piece of rock.
(Yossa) Helm taught students in the class that the island was more than just a rock in the water as
the government saw it to be when they began bombing operations. He showed these students
how concerned they should be for the future of the island during his presentation. Being a
talented musician George had many performances and spoke out to many people before singing.
But we waking up. We finding out we Hawaiians and I was never taught to be proud of my
blood. And right now these past few years getting involved with Kahoolawe thats what I feel the
most. (Yossa) This is just one of the statements at one of the many performances that George
gave to the audience demonstrating his perseverance and dignity to protect his Hawaiian Culture.
Helm also went to important meetings within the government and with state politicians where he
preached whats happening and how Hawaiians need help. I come just to support the resolution
and Im very grateful for having this opportunity upon invitation. This is a step forward in
helping Kahoolawe. Bridge the gap between the politicians and the people who elect you here.
(Yossa) To demonstrate his commitment to his cause he talked to Politians very vigorously and
seriously to prove to them that this was a serious issue. As if both these actions of going to
Kahoolawe and giving speeches to people and kids werent enough, George Helm and some
others went to Washington D.C. to ask for help from no other than the President and the white
house.
One of the other things/ actions that George had taken place in, to demonstrate leadership
is going to Washington D.C. Protect Kahoolawe Ohana has tried to contact the white house and
with no response they went to D.C. for direct assistance. We received no response from you
even after a telegram was sent to your office from Hawaii on February 2, 1977, requesting to
meet with you or any White House member personally. As a last attempt for assistant after no

answer from the White House or the President the two Hawaiians made the way to Washington.
Dear Mr. President: We are native Hawaiians here in Washington D.C., However, our
presence here is as a result of government negligence and lack of response to our plea.(Helm,
George and Kauhane, Francis) At the white house through a letter George Helm and Francis
Kauhane another activist asked the president for government support. The matter which is an
executive one not a congressional oneis one of emergency and we ask assistance from the
White House to prevent a possible Wounded Knee and look seriously into the souls of our
Hawaiian people. (Helm, George and Kauhane, Francis)
George Helm was not just a great leader who helped stop the bombing of Kahoolawe, but
by leaving his legacy of Aloha Aina, he has inspired others to speak up for what they believe
in and whats right, which at the time also contributed to the successfulness to the end of
bombing. As a leader George Helm always followed one of his favorite Hawaiian words Aloha
Aina which translates to love (/respect) the land, which he demonstrated and promoted with
everything he did. Kahoolawe is synonymous to Aloha Aina, we love the land. And if all us
Hawaiians can go over there and touch it we all come together. (Yossa) Not only did he leave
his legacy of Aloha Aina but he left his Philosophy of man, Earth and life all in one. We are
in a revolution of consciousness. What we are looking for is the truth. There is man, and there is
environment. One does not supersede the other. Man is merely the caretaker of the land that
maintains his life and nourishes his soul. The land is sacred. The church of life is not in a
building, it is in the open sky, the surrounding ocean, and the beautiful soil. (Kamuela, Vance)
Not only does his legacy life on today, but people then followed in Mr. Helms Footsteps to
achieve the common goal at the time such as another activist by the name Lureta Ridi. My name
is Lureta Ridi and I am speaking as a Hawaiian and a native of this aina. One thing Ive learned

from my kupunas as a Hawaiian is the great respect for the aina. For the aina is the giver of life,
of life. And if we do not respect the land, then where will we be? How do we take care of papa,
our Earth? By filling her pores with concrete her beauty, so she cannot breath? By digging into
her, drilling into her, BOMBING HER! To leave wounds and scares on the Earth. Is that how we
take care of our land? (Yossa) This contributed speech help to stop the bombing on the island of
Kahoolawe. Directed to the military and Hawaiians during the conference involving the US.
Government. So George Helm left his philosophy of life, his motto of Aloha Aina and even
inspired people from then and now to do important things in life, all by being a great leader of
The Protect Kahoolawe Ohana Organization and again while being a leader he took many risks
and actions that contributed to his legacy today.
George Helm made a great indent in Hawaiian history for many but mainly these three
actions. The first action being that he would go to Kahoolawe, to examine the island and to
protest though it could and did get him in trouble legally. The second would be that he would
give many speeches and class presentations to many people and kids to spread awareness of the
bombing problem on Kahoolawe. The third action would be how he took the extra step of being
a leader, to go to Washington D.C. to ask the president for help personally. Many people of the
PKO including their leader George Helm worked very hard to stop the bombing of Kahoolawe
by taking many important actions. Leadership that was taken by George Helm is important
because without his leadership and his sacrifice who knows when or if the bombing of
Kahoolawe would stop. The bombing of Kahoolawe affected Hawaiian individuals because that
was their beliefs, their sacred island and the U.S. was destroying that. When the bombing
stopped the Hawaiians dignity and honor was restored to them, and now they are even stronger

as one. In honor of George Helms leadership and legacy displayed is one of his favorite chants
in Hawaiian with the English translation.
E mau ko kakou lahui e hoomau; E mau ko kakou olelo e hoomau; E mau ka hana pono oka
aina; I mau kaea o ka aina i ka pono; I ka pono o kaaina; Hooluluka pono o kaaina e hooulu;
Hoola ka nani o kaaina e hoola; Hoola la hooulu la a hoolaha; I mauka ea oka aina i ka
pono; I ka pono okaaina (Isaacs, Sr, Alvin Kaleolani. 1)
Lets strive to keep our nation alive, lets strive; Lets strive to keep our language alive, Lets strive;
Lets strive to preserve the good of the islands; So that righteousness may continue to be with us; All
thats good in the island; Build the greatness of Hawaii, build them; Restore the goodness of the islands,
restore them; Restore, build, and sustain them throughout the world; So that the righteousness will fill the
land once again; Every good in the island (Isaacs, Sr, Alvin Kaleolani. 1)

This is a picture demonstrating one of the many bombs that landed on the island of Kahoolawe.
This destroyed the scared land thus that is why George Helm used his life to protect and end the
bombing of the island.

Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources
Helm, George. Mr. Ben Bradlee, Editor, and the National Affairs Desks 2 Feb. 1977. Print. 17
Aug. 2014
This is a letter that George Helm wrote and signed composed for Mr. Ben Bradlee to
make him aware of the invasion that was being undertaken by Native Hawaiians on the
island of Kahoolawe. The other purpose of this letter that helm wrote was to inform
people with higher power in Washington D.C. what is happening to Kahoolawe, what
they can do to help the Hawaiians and of course a few reasons why the island is
significant to them and their culture. This is a real document to Mr. Ben Bradlee thus the
information must be unfeigned and reliable
Helm, George and Kauhane, Francis. The President. 16 Feb. 1977. Print. 17 Aug. 2014
This is a letter that George Helm and Francis Kauhane wrote and sent to the President
asking him to see them. They wanted to tell him their concerns for Hawaiians and the
island Kahoolawe. The credibility of this source is completely creditable because this
letters are written and even signed by George Helm with dates and times of the events
during the time of his leadership.
Helm, George, Kauhane, Francis and Warrington, Charles. The Honarable Jimmy Carter
Print.17.Aug. 2014
Geroge Hlem, Francis Kauhane and Charles Warrington wrote this letter to the president
Jimmy Carter to adress that the bombing on Kahoolawe has been suspened by the Navy
people (Hawaians) havve made an illegal landing on the island. They told him as the
president he could perminantly suspend the bombing and that he should listen to the
natives for there has been a continuos disreegard of the issue. I believe that this is a true
documant to the president of the United States Jimmy Cater at the time making it a
credible and reliable source.
Isaacs, Sr, Alvin Kaleolani. E Mau. E Mau. D. Leulani Ah Quin, 1941. Web 15 Aug. 2014.
This source provides a piece of literature from the time. A poem/chant in Hawaiian titled
E Mau written by one of the activists of PKO named Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs, Sr. This
poem/chant is something that George Helm loved because the mele preaches aloha aina.
This I believe is a reliable and credible source for Hawaiians use many chants/ meles to
demonstrate and tell about many things and being not only a Hawaiian, but a musician so
would Helm. I have reason to believe that he loved this chant written by a fellow activist
that I read in other sources he was close to.
Protect Kahoolawe Ohana. Official Statement: Protect Kahoolawe Ohana 1 Feb. 1977.
Print. 17 Aug. 2014
The following document is an official statement made by the PKO that stated that five
men did make a landing on Kahoolawe as a way to protest the bombing, for as long as
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they are on the island the bombing must temporarily halt. They explained that they
believed it was okay and just for them to be there for it was sacred and important to
Hawaiians and their culture. I believe that this source is completely credible and reliable
for it is a true/real document from 1977 that was formed by The Protect Kahoolawe
Ohana which relates to George Helm because he was the leader and president of this
organization.

Secondary Sources
Farrant, Kawelakai.#HawaiianPatriots Project-George Helm. Vimeo. KamakakoI; OHA
Project Team. July 2014. Web. 15 Aug.2014
This video online contains a reenactment of one of George Helms Famous speeches and
gives one of his famous quotes at the end. Though this video is a reenactment and could
be tested for its credibility, from many other creditable sites Ive seen and read the speech
word for word that was reenacted, making it a reliable source.
George helm. Last.fm.CBS Interactive, 26, Nov.2013.Web.5 Aug. 2014
The following website contains more facts about George Helm and his involvement with
the PKO also known as the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana Organization. It also tells us about
some of his life before becoming an activist and tells his motto for life. Tis website I
would consider credible, but Im not sure who the true author or authors are how reliable
they are or where they got there information from.
History. Protect Kahoolawe Ohana.kohemalamalama O kanaloa/Protect Kahoolawe
fund.N.d.Web.15 Aug. 2014
This online resource provides me with dates, names, and certain locations of events that
occurred on Kahoolawe. It also includes what the PKO did to stop the bombing and
military use of the island. Lastly it includes what the end results were from their efforts.
Due to the fact that this information is coming from the activist group that George Helm
once lead I believe that the information that was provided is unimpeachable.
KAHOOLAWE HISTORY. Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission History. Kahoolawe
Island Reserve Commission Web. 15 Aug. 2014
This website provides me with information from 400-2004 regarding most things dealing
with Kahoolawe. It states what some events that lead to the bombing, the end of the
bombing and even how the President at the time Dwight D. Howard was involved. The
information I was provided with from this website is supposed to be government records
available to the public leaving me to believe that the information is unfeigned.
Kamuela, Vance. George Helm-A Hawaiian Legacy. Word Press. com 2011/03/07
This website gives and overview and summarizes what George Helm did in life, Gives us
quotes from him and tells how he impacted Hawaii by helping to stop the military test
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bombing on Kahoolawe. Like the other sites the information seems to all be the same and
consistent insisting that the information must be credible
Yossa, Ken. Kahoolawe Aloha Aina-George Helm. YouTube/Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, 11
Jun 2012. Web. 26 Aug. 2014
This video was produced in 1977 by the PKO and was published one June 11, 2012. The
video features scenes from the last few years of George Helm life, including class
presentations, musical performances, speeches and government interactions. This video is
100% unimpeachable because it is actual clips of George Helm during the time doing
things such as his short journeys to Kahoolawe to things such as his interaction with the
government.

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