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From:
laura acasio
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Sent:
Sunday, August 17, 2025 11:04 PM
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To:
Council Testimony
Subject:
STRONG SUPPORT RESO 234-25
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August 17, 2025
Aloha e Chair Villegas,
Vice Chair Kagiwada and Honorable Councilmembers of
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the Policy Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource Management,
Urging Strong Support of Resolution 234-25
I write to you today in my personal capacity as a constituent of Hawaii County. As a mother,
a water protector, and a member of the Protect Kaho'olawe'Ohana, I strongly urge you to
support Resolution 234-25 to stop live -fire training and desecration at Pohakuloa by the
U.S. Army.
The continued use of Pohakuloa for bombing and live -fire exercises is fundamentally
incompatible with the purposes of conservation lands and runs contraryto the mission of the
Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ratherthan protecting the land, these activities
have polluted the soil and water, jeopardized public health, and placed future generations at
risk. Resolution 234-25 rightly calls upon the State to uphold its duty to safeguard Hawai'i
Island residents by requiring the military to end destructive practices at Pohakuloa, reject
land swaps or lease renewals without strict safeguards, and conduct a full Ka Pa'akai
analysis to ensure cultural and environmental protections.
Earlier this year, the State's Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected the Army's Final
Environmental Impact Statement for Pohakuloa. The BLNR cited serious deficiencies,
including an incomplete archaeological inventory, inadequate data on endangered species,
and an insufficient Cultural Impact Assessment. These shortcomings demonstrate the
Army,'s failure to meet even the most basic standards of stewardship. For over six decades,
military activities have scarred native ecosystems, threatened the Kaohe aquifer system, and
desecrated cultural sites of immeasurable importance.
The pattern extends far beyond Pohakuloa. Kaho'olawe remains contaminated and
hazardous. At Kapukaki (Red Hill), the Navy continues to evade full responsibility for the
contamination of O'ahu's aquifer. At Schofield, solvents and heavy metals have leached into
drinking water. At Pohakuloa, the Army sparked a fire just two years ago that burned 27
square miles of forest and destroyed endangered species habitat. Makua, Kahuku, and
numerous other military sites across the islands will require billions of dollars and decades
of work to restore. Comm, o
i Ref. To:
Ref. Datei AUTO 2o25
Supporting this resolution does not dismiss the Army's positive contributions in times of
disaster or its partnerships with local communities. Instead, it establishes necessary limits,
demands accountability, and ensures that military use of land in Hawai'i complies with the
law, respects the environment, and honors the people who call this place home. It calls for
the cleanup of existing contamination and the immediate cessation of practices that cause
further harm, as required under existing lease conditions.
By adopting Resolution 234-25, the Council affirms that Hawai'i County will no longer accept
unilateral military actions made without genuine community input, enforceable cleanup
plans, and adherence to the State's public trust obligations.
Mahalo for considering my testimony in your decision making. Thank you for your service. I
respectfully urge you to pass Resolution 234-25 to protect our island, our people, and our
future.
Laura Acasio, Hilo