US EditionUS military's attempt to retain strategic land for training runs into Native Hawaiian opposition
- The U.S. military seeks to retain Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii's Big Island, with a key lease expiring in 2029 and Native Hawaiians opposing continued military use.
- This opposition stems from a history of damage including target practice, fuel leaks, and cultural site destruction, alongside recent discoveries of ancient wooden figures in a lava tube.
- Pohakuloa spans over 200 square miles at high altitude, serving as Hawaii's only large live-fire training ground critical for rapid deployment to Indo-Pacific amid rising regional tensions.
- On May ninth, the environmental impact statement was turned down by the state land board following emotional testimonies highlighting concerns over insufficient measures for unexploded ordnance and protection of cultural relics, while separately, a utility company filed a $1.2 billion lawsuit against the Navy related to a 2021 fuel leak.
- These developments complicate negotiations over land use and highlight calls from officials to respect 'aina,' clean up damages, and consider community benefits alongside military readiness needs.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Hawaiians Want Army Out of Key Training Area
A high-altitude plateau on the Big Island is the only place in Hawaii where thousands of ground forces can practice firing live munitions. It's also a place many Native Hawaiians consider the spiritual heart of the island. The US military wants to keep training at this spot, called Pohakuloa, so...
US Military's Attempt to Retain Strategic Land for Training Runs into Native Hawaiian Opposition
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. A high-altitude plateau on the Big Island is the only place in Hawaii where thousands of ground forces can practice firing live munitions. It's also a place many Native Hawaiians consider the spiritual heart of the island. World News | US Military's Attempt to Retain Strategic Land for Training Runs into Native Hawaiian Opposition.
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US military's attempt to retain strategic land for training runs into Native Hawaiian opposition
A high-altitude plateau on the Big Island is the only place in Hawaii where thousands of ground forces can practice firing live munitions. It’s also a place many Native Hawaiians consider the spiritual heart of the island.
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