HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.059 2024-2026Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 9:00 AM
To: Lorayne Aguinaldo
Cc: Council Testimony
Subject: RE: Written Testimony for Policy Committee On Environmental and Natural Resource
Management hearing, Strong Support of Resolution 234-25
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From: Lorayne Aguinaldo
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 8:51 AM
To: Kimball, Heather <Heather.Kimball@ hawaiicounty.gov>; Kagiwada, Jennifer
<Jennifer.Kagiwada@hawaiicounty.gov>; Onishi, Dennis <Dennis.Onishi@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kierkiewicz, Ashley
<Ashley.Kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt <Matt.Kanealii-Kleinfelder@ hawaiicounty.gov>;
Hustace, lames <Tames.Hustace@ hawaiicounty.gov>; Galimba, Michelle M. <Michelle.Galimba@hawaiicounty.gov>;
Villegas, Rebecca <Rebecca.Villegas@hawaiicounty.gov>; Inaba, Holeka<Holeka.lnaba@hawaiicounty.gov>; Council
Remote Testimony <councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Written Testimony for Policy Committee On Environmental and Natural Resource Management hearing, Strong
Support of Resolution 234-25
Aloha Chair Villages and members of the Policy Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource
Management,
My name is Lorayne and I am an Undergraduate Student majoring in Environmental and Sustainability
Studies at the University of Northern Colorado. I was raised in the islands. My primary studies currently
include socialjustice, community climate resilience, sustainable development, food geography &
economics. I am testifying in strong support of Resolution 234-25.
It requests that the military cease all bombing and desecration activities at Pohakuloa Training Area,
reject land swaps and lease renewals without strict stipulations, and conduct a full Pa'akai Analysis of
the area. In May 2025, the state's Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) did not accept PTA's Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), citing incomplete archaeology inventory, lack of endangered
species data and analyses and an inadequate Cultural Impact Assessment, which is used to address Ka
Comm. No.' I
t Ref. To:
Ref. Date*AUG' 19 2025
Pa'akai factors. Sustained bombing and training activities have damaged pristine lands, the Saddle
Region aquifer system, and cultural sites for over 60 years. The resolution aligns with long-standing
community concerns that military activity continues to pose real threats to public health, cultural
integrity, and environmental stability. This resolution is not about questioning the Army's contributions in
regard to disaster response, emergency services or providing a training venue for the county's first
responders. Rather, it is about establishing limits, demanding accountability, and ensuring oversight and
respect by urging the cessation of unwarranted bombing and live -fire training and the cleanup of PTA as
required by their lease.
This resolution gives autonomy to the communities that have historically been underrepresented in
these "land use" conversations and requires the Military to be transparent about their activities. It signals
that Hawaii County will no longer accept unilateral military decisions that compromise our land, culture,
and health without meaningful engagement, cleanup commitments, and legal compliance with public
trust obligations.
1 stated my area of study for a reason- it is a known fact in the current, professional, environmental field
that lands that were historically managed and maintained by indigenous people (in this case, Kanaka
Maoli, or Native Hawaiians) are best restored with their respective indigenous practices. I urge this
committee to return this land to its ancestral people so it may thrive further than is has while being with
the US Military. Approving Resolution 234-25 sends a powerful message that Hawai'i County stands with
its people —families, communities, cultural practitioners, and environmental stewards who have long
raised concerns about PTA's short- and long-term impacts.
This concludes my written statement in support of Resolution 234-25. Please contact me with the given
information below if need be.
Mahalo,
Lorayne H. Aguinaldo (she/her/hers)
Environmental & Sustainability Studies Undergraduate Student at the University of Northern Colorado
(808) 498-86831 loray_neaguinaldo0bgmail.com
Occupied Lands of the Ute, Cheyenne, Lakota, and Arapaho Peoples
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