SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Army is moving forward with plans to expedite negotiations regarding its critical live-fire training range in Hawaii, with a focus on the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll expressed the urgency of these discussions following a meeting with Hawaii Governor Josh Green, emphasizing the importance of the training range for military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Army currently leases part of Pohakuloa from the state, with the contract set to expire in 2029. As strategic tensions escalate in Asia, particularly with regards to China’s assertiveness towards Taiwan, maintaining access to the training area is deemed vital for rapid troop deployment.
“The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,” Driscoll stated, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command responsible for military operations in the region.
Driscoll is advocating for an accelerated timeline for negotiations, aiming to finalize discussions well ahead of the lease expiration date. “We have got to be able to train here,” he declared.
As part of the discussions, Driscoll has requested insights from Green’s office on how the Army can better serve the local community, indicating a desire for collaboration that honors the history and contributions of Hawaii’s residents.
He noted, “What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation.”
However, the proposal has faced considerable opposition. A public hearing held in May on the lease extension was marked by hours of testimony from Native Hawaiians and environmental activists. Many expressed their discontent with past military practices that they believe have damaged Hawaiian lands.
Local activists are calling for the return of the land to the state, underscoring the military’s historical impact on the environment. Healani Sonoda-Pale, a community organizer affiliated with the Native Hawaiian sovereignty organization Ka Lahui Hawaii, voiced concerns regarding the military’s management of these lands during negotiations.
She stated, “There shouldn’t be any backdoor discussions regarding these leases,” emphasizing the need for transparency in the process.
Governor Green, pending his discussions with Driscoll, conveyed that he intends to gather community feedback as they explore possibilities related to military leases. In a statement, he noted, “He now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii’s people and our land, while we all work together to protect our country.”
U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda has also expressed her desire for discussions that involve the military contributing to Hawaii’s infrastructure needs, such as housing, water, and sewer systems.
The Army maintains that alternative training sites in Hawaii are inadequate for building and deploying battalion or brigade-sized units, further stressing the necessity of the Pohakuloa Training Area for maintaining a responsive military presence.
In conclusion, as negotiations evolve, the balancing act between military readiness and community welfare will remain a critical focus for both the Army and Hawaiian officials.
Driscoll is on a Pacific trip that will continue with visits to Australia and the Philippines, underlining the broader significance of U.S. military presence in the region.
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