HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.433 2024-2026Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 7:57 AM
To: Momi Wheeler
Cc: Council Testimony
Subject: RE: SUPPORT - Hawai'i County Council Resolution 234-25
From: Momi Wheeler �vvlju_: L ydiiuu.Lvm,
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 11:14 AM
To: Council Remote Testimony <councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>; Villegas, Rebecca
<Rebecca.Vi Ilegas@ hawaiicounty.gov>
Cc: Kimball, Heather <Heather.Kim ball@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, James <James.Hustace@hawaiicounty.gov>; Galimba, Michelle M. <Michelle.Galimba@hawaiicounty.gov>;
Inaba, Holeka <Holeka.lnaba@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: SUPPORT- Hawal'i County Council Resolution 234-25
Aloha a Chair Villegas and members of the Policy Committee on Environmental and Natural'
Resource Management,
Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Resolution 234-25. This resolution
requests that the State take necessary measures to protect the health and safety of Hawaii Island
residents by asking the military to discontinue all bombing and desecration activities at P6hakuloa
Training Area (PTA), decline land swaps and lease renewals without strict stipulations, and conduct a
comprehensive Ka Pa'akai Analysis.
May 2025, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) rejected PTA's Final Environmental
Impact Statement due to incomplete archaeological surveys, insufficient endangered species data,
and an inadequate Cultural Impact Assessment addressing Ka Pa'akai factors. Decades of bombing
and training have damaged pristine lands, aquifers, and cultural sites.
Comm.
Ref. To:
1 Ref. Date
Resolution 234-25 reflects ongoing community concerns about the health, cultural, and environmental
risks from military activities. This resolution does not question the Army's role in disaster response,
emergency services, or training for county first responders. It instead calls for clear limits,
accountability, and oversight by urging an end to unwarranted bombing and live -fire training and
requiring cleanup of PTA under their lease.
Approving Resolution 234-25 shows Hawai'i County's support for its residents and their concerns
about PTA's short and long-term impacts. It also asserts that the County expects military decisions to
involve public input, cleanup commitments, and adherence to legal obligations.
Aloha 'Aina,
Momi Wheeler
Waikahekahe Nui, Lononuiakea