Kaʻula Island, also called Kaʻula Rock, is a small, crescent-shaped island in the Hawaiian Islands. It is located 22 miles southwest of Niʻihau.
Mythology In the legend of Papa and Wākea, Kaula is the seventh-born child.
Geography Kaʻula is located west-southwest of Kawaihoa Point on Niihau, and about 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 .Kaula Volcano John Seach, Volcano Live 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).Kaula Island NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell, Student Connection
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 .Census Tract 411, Kauai County United States Census Bureau 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 United States Lighthouse Service, which became part of the United States Coast Guard in 1939. The lighthouse 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.U.S. Coast Pilot 7, Chapter 14, p. 634
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.Underwater Photos from Five Fathom Pinnacle
See also
List of volcanoes in the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain List of islands Desert island
Notes
References
External links Offshore Islet Restoration Committee, Kaula Kaula Island Nautical Chart Containing Kaula Island Kaula Rock Photos Photographs of Kaula Island, May 2008