HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.198 2024-2026Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 7:58 AM
To: Tina Holt
Cc: Council Testimony
Subject: RE: Strong Support of Resolution 234-25
From: Tina Holt
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2025 4:03 PM
To: Council Remote Testimony<councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; Onishi, Dennis
<Dennis.Onishi @ hawai icounty.gov>
Subject: Strong Support of Resolution 234-25
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Aloha Chair Villages and members of the Policy Committee on Environmental and.Natural Resource
Management,
My name is Cristina Holt, and I live in District 3, Hilo. I'm writing in strong support of Resolution 234-
25 because it is long past time that we put the health and safety of our people and `aina before the
unchecked expansion of military activity at Pohakuloa Training Area.
In May 2025, the Board of Land and Natural Resources rightly rejected the Army's Final Environmental
Impact Statement. It was incomplete —not only in its archaeology and endangered species data, but also
in its failure to properly conduct a Cultural Impact Assessment, which is supposed to include Ka Pa'akai
analysis. That's unacceptable. For over 60 years, PTA has been a site of bombing and live -fire exercises
that have desecrated cultural sites, polluted the Saddle aquifer, and sparked wildfires that damaged
ranch, ag, and homestead lands.
This resolution doesn't attack the role the military plays in disaster response or local training needs.
What it does is draw a necessary line. We need accountability. We need cleanup. And we need the state
and county to uphold their kuleana to our people and our places. Continuing as we have— i u p
enforcement, oversight, or respect for Native Hawaiian rights —is not pono. Comm. D
Ref. To:
1 Ref. Date
Supporting this resolution is a chance for Hawai'i County to stand with its people. It sends a message
that we're no longer okay with backdoor lease extensions, land swaps, or destructive activities that
continue to put our environment, health, and cultural future at risk.
We deserve better stewardship of our island. We deserve transparency. And we deserve to be heard.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
With care,
Cristina Holt
District 3, Hilo
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