HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.537 2024-2026September 1, 2025
SUBJECT: SUPPORT RESOULTION 234-25
A RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF HAWAI' I TO ENSURE THE HEALTH
AND SAFETY OF HAWAI' I ISLAND RESIDENTS BY REQUESTING THE MILITARY
TO CEASE ALL BOMBING AND DESECRATION ACTIVITIES AT THE
POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, REJECTING LAND SWAPS AND LEASE
RENEWALS WITH THE MILITARY UNLESS CERTAIN STIPULATIONS ARE
ESTABLISHED, AND CONDUCTING A KA PA' AKAI ANALYSIS ON THE AREA.
TO: Hawai'i County Council's Policy Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource
Management
CC:
Heather Kimball:
Jennifer Kagiwada:
Dennis "Fresh" Onishi:
Ashley Kierkiewicz:
Matt Kaneali'i-Kteinfelder:
James Hustace:
Michelte.Galimba:
Rebecca Villegas:
Dr. Holeka Inaba:
o
o�
Heather. Kimball(alhawaiicountygov
zCD
Jennifer.kagiwadaPhawaiicounty.gov
dennis.onishi(@bawailcountygov
C
ashley.kierkiewicz(alhawaiicountygov
matt.kanealii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov
lam es.hustace(@hawaiicounty.gov
w
michelle.galimba(a)hawalicounty gov
rebecca villegas a hawaiicountygov
ho leka.i naba(alhawai icountygov
Subject: Strong Support of Resolution 234-25
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Councilmembers,
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. My name is Ronnie Inagaki, and I am writing in strong support of
Resolution 234-25, urging the State of Hawaii to protect the health and safety of Hawaii Island residents
by halting all live -fire exercises and desecration at Pbhakuloa Training Area (PTA) until a full
archaeological inventory survey and Ka Pa'akai analysis are completed, and by rejecting any lease
renewals or land swaps with the military.
For over six decades, the military has used these sacred conservation lands at Pbhakuloa leased forjust
$1 in 1964 for destructive training activities. Despite their legal and cultural significance, these lands
have been bombed, burned, and contaminated. More than 1,000 wildfires have been sparked,
endangered species habitats destroyed, and unexploded ordnance and depleted uranium shells
continue to threaten the safety of our people and environment. The Army's own 2024 Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) reports 892 fires at PTA between 1975 and 2024. The presence of depleted
uranium and white phosphorus contamination has been documented by state resolutions, scientific
studies, and investigative journalism
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25— Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagaki�
Comm.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date 3 lun
The courts have already confirmed that the State has failed to uphold its constitutional duty to monitor
and protect these lands. In Chingv. Case (2019), the Hawaii Supreme Court found the State breached its
trust obligations by neglecting cleanup and oversight responsibilities at Pohakuloa (see Appendix 3).
The Army's own environmental review was rejected by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in May
2025. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) omitted key cultural and environmental surveys,
failed to meaningfully assess contamination risks to groundwater, and ignored the constitutional
requirement to protect Native Hawaiian rights. To this day, no comprehensive archaeological inventory
survey or Ka Pa`akai analysis has been completed, despite their clear legal mandate (see Appendix 4).
The Hawaii State Constitution is explicit: these public trust lands must be held for the benefit of Native
Hawaiians and the general public, not for military destruction. Article XII, Section 7 further mandates
protection of Native Hawaiian cultural and religious practices. Continuing live -fire exercises in violation of
these constitutional protections is unacceptable.
Recent state legislation seeks to prohibit lease extensions to entities that are noncompliant with
environmental obligations or in arrears to the State a standard the military has not met (see Appendix 6).
PTA's impacts are not only ecological, but also a matter of public health and justice. Exposure to military
toxins like depleted uranium and white phosphorus increases risks to human and environmental health,
with effects persisting for decades. The connection between land health and community well-being is
recognized by both Indigenous knowledge and planetary health science.
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. 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.
For these reasons, I urge the Council to pass this resolution and call upon the State to honor its
constitutional, cultural, and environmental responsibilities to protect Pohakuloa for present and future
generations.
Mahalo nui Loa for your leadership and commitment to the people and'aina of Hawaii Island.
Me ka ha'aha'a,
Ronnie Inagaki
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25 — Written Testimony September 1,2025/Ronnielnagaki
Y
• • 1 • • • 1 _ • 1 - I SI _ 1 .
Agenda, September 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
https://hawaiicounMgranicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=hawaiicounty 139263716dc9e123ff2e28
2d 37c50f00. pdf&view=1
Oral Testimony already submitted for 8/19/25 [7:49:05 I
https://hawaiicouniy.granicus.com/player/clip/3501?meta id=107412
Video of hearing on 8/19/25: https://hawaiicounty.granicus.com/Mayer/clip/3501
1. Presence of white phosphorus
a. The U.S. Army Is Using White Phosphorus on Hawaiian Land, AJ+ English (YouTube video),
published approximately 3.2 years ago. Available at:
https://www.facebook,com/a' lip usenglish/videos/the-us-army is-using-white-phos horus-
on-hawaiian-land/389348003339978/ and associated Tweet on
X:https:Hx.com/a]plus/status/1532483445825232897?utm source=chatgpt.com
b. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (2018, April6). Response to Dr. Reimer regarding
depleted uranium risk assessment correspondence [Letter]. Retrieved
from https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1817/ML18173A218.pdf
c. Walsh, M. E., Walsh, M. R., Collins, C. M., & Racine, C. H. (2014). White phosphorus
contamination of an active army training range. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 225(6), 2001.
.. . ��13 $
https:/Lwww.researchgate,net/publication/278180860 White Phosphorus Contamination
of an Active Army Training Range
2. Presence of Depleted Uranium
a. U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. (2010, September13). Army announces results of DU risk
assessment. U.S. Army. https://home.army.millhawaiilindex ph"u
b. 2017State of Hawaii House of Representatives Concurrent Resolution, HCR 41, signed
February 7,2017 Urging Members Of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Call For
Comprehensive, Independent Testing And Monitoring To Determine The Extent Of
Radioactive Contamination At The Pohakuloa Training Area.
Acknowledges presence and contamination of Depleted Uranium. Sponsored by by Rep.
Nicole Lowen, signed by Reps. Chris Todd, Sean Quinlan, Sylvia Luke, Kaniela Ing, Scott
Saiki, Sens. Joy San Buenaventura, Jarrett Keohokalole and others. Document available at
https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HCR41/2017 and
https,lldata.canitol.hawaii.-aov/sessionslsession20l7/Bills/HCR41 .PDF. Resolutionalso
available at: https://leoiscan.com/HI/textlHCR41/2017
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25- Written Testimony September 1,2025/Ronnielnagaki
c. Murry, C., Rokke, D. L., Pang, L. W.., & Reimer, M. G. (2017, February2l). The Health Risks Of
Depleted Uranium In Hawaii. Honolulu Civil Beat. Available at.
https://www. civilbeat. org/2017/02/the-health-risks-of-d epleted-uranium-in-hawaii/
d. 2011 Senate Concurrent Resolution 89 sponsored by Sens. Malama Solomon, Gilbert
Kahele, Ronald Kouchi, Jill Tokuda, Michelle Kidani and others. Introduced March 16,
2011.Available at., htWs.Illegiscan.com/HI/text/SCR89/2011
e. Fernandez Akamine, Puanani. `Pohakuloa: A Land Besieged."Ka Wai Ole, Volume 41 No. 9
(September 1, 2024). https://kawaiola.news/cover/pohakuloa-a-land-besieged/
f. Mitchell, J. (2020, December 17). A brief history of US military poisoning of Hawaii.
TRANSCEND Media Service. Retrieved from hops://www.transcend.org/tms/2020/12/a-
g. Fernandez-Akamine, R (2024, September 1). The Army and Pohakuloa. Ka Wai Ola.
Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://kawaiola.news/aina/the-army-and-pohakuloa/
"Accordingto the Army's 2024 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), their activities
at PTA caused 892 fires at Pohakuloa between 1975-2024."
3. Ching vs Case (2019)
a. Ching v. Case, SCAP-18-0000432 (Haw. Aug. 23, 2019).
b. lustia.com link. https://law.iustia.comlcases/hawaii/supreme-courtl2Ol9lscap 18-
c. Fernandez Akamine, Puanani. "Pohakuloa: A Land Besieged."Ka Wai Ole, Volume 41 No. 9
(September 1, 2024).
4. Wildfires and PTA
a. Fernandez-Akamine, R (2024, September 1). The Army and Pohakuloa. Ka Wai Ola.
Retrieved July29, 2025, from https://kawaiota, news/aina/the-army-and-pohakuloa/
"According to the Army's 2024 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), their activities
at PTA caused 892 fires at Pohakuloa between 1975-2024."
b. Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands. (n.d.). Analysis of fire historyand
management concerns at Pohakuloa (Ref. 52). Retrieved from University of Hawaii at.Hilo,
Maunakea Stewardship Library https://hilo.hawaii.edu/maunakea/library/ref/52
c. Ka Wai Ola. (2024, August 10). The Army and Pohakuloa. Ka Wai Ola - Ka Wai Ola News.
ftma"Mmiiii=ll.'f=MF11==1 ALlr mTrIA PTAT ! • IEP,iR[.Ff/
d. Big Island Video News. (2023, November 14). Pohakuloa brush fire grows to between 300 to
500 acres in size. Big Island Video News. Retrieved from
https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/11 /14/pohakuloa-brush-fire-grows-to-
b etween-300-to-500-acres-in-size/
e. HPR News Staff; The Associated Press. (2022, August 11). Hawai'i Island wildfire has
burned 39square miles near Pohakuloa Training Area. Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved from
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25 - Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagaki
https://www.hawaiipubticradio.org/local-news/2022-08-11 /wildfire-near-pohakuloa-
tra ining-a rea-,grows-thousand s-of-acres-overnight-on-big-isla nd
f. Sullivan, P. (2019, March 1). Fire, flurry, and flora: fuels management trumps wildfire
impacts to endangered plants at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii (Presentation abstract).
In Presentation Abstracts, Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands,
Colorado State University. Retrieved from CEMMLwebsite
https•//cemml colostate edu/fire-flurry-and-flora-fuels-management-trumps-wildfire-
impacts-to-ends ngered-plants-at-pohakuloa-training-area-hawaii/
g. United States Army. (2010, August 24). PTA fire crews control flames. Army.mil. Retrieved
from https://www.army.mil/article/44823/pta fire crews control flames
h. Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency. (2023). Section 4.15- Wildfire. In 2023 State
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (pp. 4.15-1 to 4.15-?). Retrieved from DOD Hawaii site: 2023
Hawaii SHMP 4.15 RA -Wildfire
https•//dod hawaii gov/hiema/fifes/2023/01/2023 Hawaii SHMP 4.15 RA -Wildfire pdf
5. History of P6hakuloa TrainingArea
a. Wright, A., Kajihiro, K., & Albertini, J. (2021, January 27). The history of U.S. military pollution
in Hawaii is extensive. Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved from
https://www.civitbeat.org!2021 /01 /the-history-of-u-s-military_pollution-in-hawaii-is-
extensive/ Mitchell, J. (2020, December 17). A Brief History of US Military Poisoning of
Hawaii. TRANSCEND Media Service. Retrieved from
https://www.transcend.org/ims/2020/l 2/a-brief-history-of-us-mi litary_poisoning-of-
awa i'
6. EIS/Community and community health concerns
a. May 2025 BLNR Testimony re Final Environmental Impact Study
b. Rod riguez-Seijo, A., Fernandez-Calvino, D., Arias-Estevez, M., Arenas-Lago, D., & Vazquez,
S. (2024). Effects of military training, warfare and civilian ammunition debris on soil
organisms: An ecotoxicological review. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 60(6), 813-844.
https://doi,org/10.1007/s00374-024-01835-8 and
https://links r�inger.com/article/10.1007/s00374-024-01835-8?fromPaywatiRec=true
c. https.11files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/eWIDoc Library/2025-04-23-HA-FEIS-Army-Training-Land-
Retention-at-Pohakuloa-Training-Area-Vol-1. pdf
d. The Army'scomplete list offinal EIS documents:
https://home. armymiUhawafttaeis/documents The EIS references include:
• Documentation of Fires: The EIS reports a significant number of fires documented
within the state-owned parcel of PTA, stating that between 1975 and 2011, the Army
recorded 112 fires, burning at least 15,047 acres. However, it notes that the data
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25 - Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagaki
prior to 2012 is considered incomplete. More recently, between 2012 and August
2024, 96 fires were recorded on the parcel, burning approximately 19,328 acres.
• Mitigation of Wildfire Impacts: The EIS outlines measures to address wildfire risks,
such as negotiating an agreement with the State for wildfire monitoring on lands not
retained by the Army and continuing or renegotiating agreements with the Hawaii
County Fire Department for assistance with wildfire suppression outside the training
area. This suggests an acknowledgment of the potential for fires, regardless of their
source.
• Discussion of Fire Risk Factors: The EIS notes that 71 % of the wildfires recorded at
PTA were less than 0.1 acres in size. It also predicts an increased risk of wildfires
due to drought conditions and climate change, which can dry out vegetation and
fuel fires.
e. Pohakuloa Training Area munitions raise concerns as Mauna Loa lava creeps closer, Island News
(YouTube video), published approximately 2 years ago. Available at:
hops://youtu. be/Sih9e9DdXOQ 7si=oc-OiEOQo OC3u8goo
f. 2011 Senate Concurrent Resolution 89 sponsored by Sens. Malama Solomon, Gilbert
Kahele, Ronald Kouchi, Jill Tokuda, Michelle Kidani and others. Introduced March 16,
7. Ka Pa'akai Analysis
a. Ka Pa'akai O Ka 54ina v. Land Use Commission, 94 Hawai`i 31, 7 P.3d 1068 (Haw..2000).
Retrieved from https://Iuc.hawaii,goy/wp-content/uploads/`2014/"09/Ka-Paakai-O-KaAina-
b. Obrey, A. K. (2024, June 10). What is a Ka Pa'akai analysis? Native Hawaiian Legal
Corporation. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://nativehawaiianlegalcorp.org/what-is-a-
ka-pa%CA%BBakai-analysis/ Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation
c. Palacat-Nelsen, S. A. (2023, September 1). Activating Ka Pa'akai. Ka Wai Ola. Retrieved
July 29, 2025, from https://kawaiola.news/aina/activating-ka-paakai/
https://kawaiola. news/aina/activating-ka-paakai/
d. Kauanoe, D. H. (2025, March 22). The Role of Human Rights in Advancing Justice for Native
Hawaiians: Infusing Indigenous Human Rights with Kanaka Maoli values. Racism.org.
Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://racism.org/articles/worldwide/438-
human-rig ts-generally/12506-the-role-of-human-rig is
8. Planetary system as a whole; interconnectedness of health & environmental, indigenous health
and the energetic reality
a. https://myna sadata.Larc.nasa.gov/basic-page/about-biosphere About The Biosphere
MyNASAData
b. McCraty, R., & Deyhle, A. (2016, June 13). Afield view of reality to explain human
interconnectedness. HeartMath Institute. Retrieved from
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25 —Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagaki
fps•//www. heartmath org/articles-of-the-heart/field-view-reality-expLain-human-
interconnectedness/
c. Sharfstein, J., & Myers, S. (2024). Planetary health aims to help humans by helping Earth.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved from
https•//publichealth ihu edu/2024/ tan netary-health-aims-to-help-humans-by-h ino-
earth
d. Stephens, E. (2020, October 12). The inextricable link between human and environmental
health (by S. Masciarelli, Content Development Assistant). The Office of Sustainability,
Wake Forest University. Retrieved from https://sustainabit!Mwfu.edu/2020/1 0/the-
inextricable-link-between-buman-and-environmental-health/
e. Thorpe, A., Yashadhana, A., Bites, B., Munro -Harrison, E., & Kingsley, J. (2023). Indigenous
health and connection to country. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Global Public
Health. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.013.436
f. Hill, K. X., Johnston, L. J., Blue, M. R., Probst, J., Staecker, M., & Jennings, L. L. (2024, July 1).
Rematriation and climate justice: Intersections of indigenous health and place. Journal of
Climate Change and Health, 18, Article 100314.
https://d oi.orgil 0.1016/i.ioclim.2024.100314
g. Idris, Z., Zakaria, Z., Yee, A. S., Fitzrol, D. N., Ghani, A. R. I., Abdullah, J. M., Wan
Hassan, W. M. N., & Hassan, M. H. (2021, April28). Quantum and electromagnetic fields
in our universe and brain: A new perspective to comprehend brain function. Brain
Sciences,11(5), 558. https://doi.org/l0.3390/brainscil1050558 (Article 558).
PMCID: PMC8146693.
9. Aloha Spirit Law
a. sammade. "HRS 5 5-7.5 `Aloha Spirit." Aloha 40: Hawaii Revised Statutes, Title 1, Chapter
5. Web. 29 July 2025. https://sammade.github.io/aloha-io/title-1/chapter-5/section-5-7 5/
b. Ho'i ka H5. (n.d.). The Aloha Spirit Law— HRS § 5-7.5. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from
https://hoikaha.org/eloha-spirit-taw/AuntyPitahi Paki's reasoning behind the law and the
power it has for the people:
10. The Army is Not Our Neighbor, a substack article by Ethan McKown
11. Civil Beat articles re: Pohakuloa:
Is The Military In For A Wake -Up Call As Hawai'i Leases Near End? The state's resection of the U.S.
Army's environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some
Native Hawaiians say won't be smooth sailing,. May 16, 2025
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25 —Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagaki
Hawaii Agencies Criticize A Big Island Military Training Site Amid Push for Lease Renewal: The
Array wants an extension of a 65-year lease to operate a military training site on the Big Island, a
proposition Hawaii state officials question. August 24, 2022
Supreme Court: State Failed Trust Duties In Pohakuloa The Hawaii Supreme Court ordered the
state to come up with a plan to better manage the land. August 23, 2019
Hawaii Has Failed To Take Care Of Pohakuloa The DLNR was supposed to develop and implement
a plan to ensure public lands like these are cared for by the military,. August 13, 2019
Military's Live -Fire Training Ignites Resistance From Some Big Island Neighbors Pohakuloa Training
Area. an Army -controlled site the size of Guam is the largest U.S. military training ground in the
Pacific. June 5, 2018
Judge: Hawaii Failed To Ensure Cleanup On Military Training Range The military has a long-term
lease to conduct live -fire exercises on nearly 23.000 acres of Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii
Island. April3, 2018
12. The People's Movement for Human Rights Education. (2025, March). The Role of Human Rights in
Advancing Justice for Native Hawaiians: Infusing Indigenous Human Rights with Kanaka Maoli
Values. Racism.org. Retrieved from https://racism.orglarticles/worldwide/438-human-rights-
13. https://www.capitol,hawaii,gov/sessions/s-ession2024/bills/SB2759 SD1 .HIM, a state bill for an
act (2024, in 2025 it was SB 427/House companion HB 491) that Prohibits the State from leasing
anypublic lands, or extending the lease ofanypublic lands, to any individual, corporation, or
federal agency that is in arrears in the payment of certain moneys to the State, noncompliant with
a consent decree ormemoranda of agreement with the State thatrequires environmental
maintenance orremediation with regard to the subject public lands, or convicted of a crime. This
bill will be introduced again in January.
Bill Summary: The bill proposes to amend HRS section 171-36(a) to prohibit the State from leasing
or extending leases of public lands, including submerged lands, to any individual, corporation, or
federal agency that: (A) is in arrears on impact -aid or Compact of Free Association payments to
the State; (B) is noncompliant with environmental maintenance or remediation obligations under
a consent decree or memorandum of agreement; and (C) has been convicted of crime. It
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25—Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagaki
requires governor's certification of good standing; permits existing lessees up to three years to
comply, or termination of the lease.
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RE: Support Resolution 234-25 —Written Testimony September 1, 2025/Ronnie Inagald