George Helm NHD Paper Draft 2

A quote from George Helm She is not a barren rock that should be used as a target for
military bombing practices in the name of national defense.

(E5) 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. George Helm, an activist, worked very hard with many others to restore the dignity and
honor of the Hawaiians by stopping the bombing on the island of Kahoolawe. PKO being led by
George Helm stopped the harmful bombs from landing on the land by giving speeches to people,
school, and more, by going to Kahoolawe to protest and lastly they even went to Washington
D.C. to reach out to the President for assistance.
Following the below listed events, made many Hawaiians fight to save what they love
and believe in from the destruction of the militaries harmful explosives. On December 7, 1941
Pearl Harbor was attacked and bombed by Japan. On the day of december7, 1941, the Japanese
attacked Pearl harbor. The following day the Territory of Hawaii was placed under martial law.
All ranching operations came to an end as the military took over the entire island. Ship-to-shoe
bombardment of the island commenced in 1941 and intensified starting on October 21, 1943.
(D1 & D3) 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. Following this, during the Korean War Era, weapon usage shifted
from naval projectiles to air-dropped, general purpose bombs. Targets and mock airfields were
built on Kahoolawe for practice air attacks and strafing runs.(D2) The protect Kahoolawe
Organization (a.k.a. PKO) 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. (E27) After all these events occurred and
the Hawaiians had come together, one of the most important leaders of the success of the
bombings end was the greatly remembered George Helm Jr.
George Helm Jr. is an activist, a musician, and a very inspiring Hawaiian who took
leadership of PKO through speeches, presentations and more. 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 (Before one of his performances.) (E20) George Helm made many occasions where he
went with other activists to Kahoolawe to check out the land and the status of the island. 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. Written/ typed by George Helm. (H3) George
went to schools to present and explain to kids on why Hawaiians need to stand up together for
what they believe in. So in other words were saying that Kahoolawe is not a piece of rock.
George Helm. (E12) 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. (I1) When they went 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.(J1) Many of the PKO went in
protest and to make aware to the military this was no small matter. As native Hawaiians we
invaded Kahoolawe to protest this desecration.- George Helm, Francis Kauhane, and Charles
Warrington.(K1) Not only did they travel to Kahoolawe for many reasons but the PKO leader
George Helm made many speeches both at school and before performances.
PKOs leading activist 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. (E12) Being talented a 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. (E25) Mr. 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. (E21) 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. (H1)
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
on eis 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. (H2)
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. (E22) 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. (A1) 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? This contributed speech help to stop the bombing on the island of Kahoolawe.
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

Lets strive to keep our nation alive,

E mau ko kakou olelo e hoomau

lets strive

E mau ka hana pono oka aina

Lets strive to keep our language alive,

I mau kaea o ka aina i ka pono

I ka pono o kaaina

Lets strive
Lets strive to preserve the good of the
islands
So that righteousness may continue to

Hooluluka pono o kaaina e hooulu

be with us

Hoola ka nani o kaaina e hoola

All thats good in the islands

Hoola la hooulu la a hoolaha

I mauka ea oka aina i ka pono

Build the greatness of Hawaii, build

I ka pono okaaina (G1)

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 (G2)