HONOLULU โ Hawaiiโs state land board has denied the U.S. Armyโs environmental impact statement for land retention on the Big Island, a decision that resonated with some Native Hawaiian leaders who see it as indicative of a diminishing trust in the militaryโs presence.
The Board of Land and Natural Resources took the vote last Friday, following detailed reviews of both written submissions and hours worth of spoken feedback, much of which underscored concerns from the Native Hawaiian community regarding environmental degradation and cultural infringement.
The Army regards the Pohakuloa Training Area as a pivotal training location for U.S. forces in the Pacific, utilized by service branches such as the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.
Dawn Chang, Chairperson of the board, later described the vote as challenging, one of her most difficult decisions. She emphasized that the decision was strictly related to the environmental reportโs adequacy and was not a commentary on the appropriateness of military exercises in Hawaii. The Armyโs long-term lease remains unresolved, as their current lease covering 23,000 acres is due to expire in 2029.
Next steps rest in the Armyโs hands, as per Chang.
The Army, highlighting the community input incorporated into the environmental statement, announced a 30-day observation period before deciding on the extent of land retention.
For some activists, like Native Hawaiian leader Healani Sonoda-Pale, the decision caught them by surprise, given the militaryโs economic influence in Hawaii. Concerns over damage to island water sources, fragile ecosystems, and traditional burial sites underpin their stance.
โThis decision represents a significant shift,โ Sonoda-Pale remarked, largely attributing it to the recent Red Hill incident which heavily dented military credibility. In 2021, an incident involving the leakage of jet fuel affected Pearl Harborโs vicinity, leading to widespread illness and jeopardizing the civilian water supply, a threat that residents and Native Hawaiians vociferously opposed.
As a result, the military now finds itself complying with state mandates to decommission fuel storage facilities that endangered Honoluluโs water supply, a system relied upon by 400,000 urban residents.
Lt. Col. Tim Alvarado, in a statement, acknowledged the concerns of stakeholders, cultural advisors, and environmentalists, recognizing that earlier military decisions have led to trust issues. He noted the necessity of devising a strategy that aligns with preserving the cultural and ecological value of Pohakuloa.
The Army intends to relinquish around 3,300 acres back to the state while hoping to maintain 19,700 acres for essential training activities.
In a collaborative response, Hawaiiโs congressional representatives expressed belief in a potential solution that aligns national security imperative with state interests, conveying respect and responsiveness to Hawaiian community concerns.
Governor Josh Green acknowledged the hurdles presented by the rejected environmental impact statement, emphasizing the need for cooperative measures that honor Hawaiiโs cultural heritage while looking ahead to the future.