kˈæhuːlˌɔː hɐdbɪn jˈuːzd æz tɹˈeɪnɪŋ ˈɛɹiə fɚðə mˈɪlətˌɛɹi sˈɪns wˈɜːld wˈɔːɹ ɹˌoʊmən tˈuː, ænd wʌz stˈɪl ɐn ˈæktɪv bˈɑːmɪŋ pɹˈæktɪs ɹˈeɪndʒ fɚðə jˈuː.ˈɛs. nˈeɪvi æt ðə tˈaɪm.
Kahoolawe had been used as training area for the military since World War II, and was still an active bombing practice range for the U.S. Navy at the time.