Walter Ritte is from Molokai and was on of the 9 activists that saved Kaho’olawe. In 1976, he snuck onto Kaho’olawe in opposition of the military bombing. The military tried to get him off the island but he hid there for 35 days. Soon after, the island was returned to the State of Hawaii. Pretty brave thing he did for the island.
Since then, Walter Ritte has been keeping Molokai, Molokai. He said during a protest, “We’ve seen what happened to Waikiki, we’ve seen what’s happened to Maui, what’s happened to Kauai, and what’s happened on the Big Island, and we want no part of it.” He’s a big reason why Molokai is still Molokai.
Where else in Hawaii can you buy a duck on the side of the street for $5? This is how Oahu use to be a 100 years ago. I hope Molokai never changes forever…
