Volunteers clean site more than 60 years after a missile’s crash landing

About 800 feet above sea level, two dozen volunteers embarked on a nearly 24-mile trek about to the top of Niu Valley Ridge by all-terrain vehicle to clear debris left behind from an inert testing missile that crashed more than 60 years ago.

Volunteers collected an estimated 2,300 pounds of debris, which was airlifted Jack Harter Helicopters on Dec. 19, 2024. The debris was then recycled at Resource Recovery Solutions in Līhuʻe.

The missile was uncovered after years of grazing by a herd of feral goats before it was discovered in 2022 on a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands parcel by a lessee who was exploring the region. Upon its initial discovery, the debris field was examined by the Kauaʻi Police Department and Navy Security and Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures personnel and was determined to pose no threat to the environment.

Further investigation by unexploded ordnance crews from Oʻahu found no explosives in the area and deemed it acceptable to keep the debris in place.

Regardless of the findings, Thomas Nizo saw removing the debris as more than a task, but his kuleana.

“If can, can; if no can, how can? Getting to a ‘yes’ response is the goal!” said Nizo.

Nizo, an Anahola residential lessee, serves as Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands’ deputy public works and stewardship officer and is the first native Hawaiian to hold the position. His unwavering dedication to the cleanup is firmly rooted in his love for the land.

Nizo was led by the Pacific Missile Range Facility’s slogan, “E pane mai ka nonoi o Nohili,” which means the answering the requests of Nohili – the high sand dunes at Nohili Point.

The slogan reflects the installation’s awareness of the importance of Native Hawaiian cultural values.

First, answering the requests of others to utilize the area of Nohili for testing, training and subsistence. Second, answering the request of Nohili to do what is pono (right) for her and her ‘āina,” Nizo shared.

According to the Pacific Missile Range Facility, the missile came from Operation Regulus, which was a missile launch and guidance training conducted by the Missile Range from 1956 to 1964.

Flight-test vehicles and training missiles were never armed and contained retractable landing gear, making them reusable.

The Regulus fleet training missile was a jet-powered, radio-controlled aircraft featuring a thick fuselage, painted red for enhanced visibility during flight. The version that was found was removed from service in August 1964.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands commended Nizo and his team for their efforts in Kekaha and the Mānā plain, that removed the missile debris to allow for effective land use. The actions align with the mission of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole and benefit the broader community.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands manages more than 14,500 acres of land in Waimea; two-thirds of the area can be described as steep mountainous terrain and isolated valleys.

According to the department’s Kauaʻi Island Plan, development in Waimea will be centered around residential and subsistence agricultural homesteads. Surrounding parcels may include community-use spaces, a puʻuhonua (retreat) areas for conservation and opportunities for kalo cultivation.

The Kauaʻi Island Plan is designed to establish a self-sustaining community where residents can cultivate agricultural products for personal use and sale, create traditional Hawaiian crafts, and run shops and restaurants. Commercial activities will cater to residents and visitors traveling through the area.