COURTESY DLNR
The Pohoiki Boat Ramp area is a popular area, not only for boats, but for swimmers, surfers and other water enthusiasts whoenjoyed the small bay leading up the ramp.
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As Kilauea’s eruption continued into the final week of July, local attention was focused on the boat ramp at Pohoiki — deservedly so, since lava had already claimed Kapoho Bay, the Waiopae tidal pools, Ahalanui warm ponds and two local surfing spots. The boat ramp remained the final ocean recreation spot on the Puna coastline, but it is also part of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park.
The park was named in memory of the first Hawaiian U.S. soldier killed in action in the Korean War, on July 12, 1951. His remains are with 5,000 others still held in North Korea.
On July 27, North Korea turned over 55 sets of soldiers’ remains to the United States for forensic identification at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (“Korean War remains make way to Oahu,” Star-Advertiser, July 27). On July 29, the lava stopped its advance onto Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park.
A remarkable coincidence or something greater? The lava now stands on guard until, perhaps, one day this warrior son of Hawaii may find peace at last in the land of his youth and ancestors.
Ralph Togashi
Pearl City
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