The island of Kahoolawe is home to many dangerous insects, some of which are highly venomous. Among these are stinging centipedes, scorpions, and brown recluse and black widow spiders. Poisonous marine invertebrates common to Hawaii may be found in the waters off Kahoolawe, such as the cone snail and the deadly box jellyfish.
The waters off Kahoolawe are home to dangerous fish, such as the scorpion fish, the stingray, the poisonous crown-of-thorns starfish, several kinds of moray eels, barracudas and of, course, sharks. The Oahu Diving website advises that Hawaiian sharks are more of a danger to snorkelers and surface swimmers than to divers, and recommends against swimming or snorkeling during the shark's active periods, such as dusk and dawn.
Some Hawaiian plants are highly poisonous and should be avoided, according to the Kindred Spirits website. While the vegetation of Kahoolawe Island has been severely damaged from decades of bombing, some of these may have found their way there from neighboring islands. Such plants include oleander and yellow oleander, which contain digitoxin, a chemical that affects heart rate and heart contractions. Other dangerous plants include angel's trumpet -- which can induce hallucinations, blindness and death -- and castor beans and rosary peas, both of which can be lethal even in small amounts.
At present, the island of Kahoolawe is hot, dry and dusty as a result of the repeated bombings. Those visiting the island must be prepared to endure "dust, wind and limited shade," according to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. Water is scarce in the summer, and the Hawaiian Islands generally have intense sunlight, so sunblock and protective clothing will help prevent sunburn -- as well as the sensation of being sandblasted by the dusty winds.
