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,Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii
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To: Hawaii County Council r y CD
Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair and Presiding Officer -<
Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Vice Chair
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From: Vaughn G. T. Cook, JCCIH First Vice President
RE: Resolution No. 234-25: A RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF o.
HAWAPI TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HAWAFI 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 TIIE MILITARY
UNLESS CERTAIN STIPULATIONS ARE ESTABLISHED, AND CONDUCTING
A KA PA'AKAI ANALYSIS ON THE AREA.
September 2, 2025
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Council Members,
I provide this testimony IN OPPOSITION TO RESOLUTION NO.234-25 on behalf of the
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii (JCCIH). JCCIH's mission is "[t]o
promote the well-being of our community through business and personal relationship" and we
have been representing the interests of our 300+ business and individual members through
education and advocacy. As First Vice President and Co -Chair of the joint Government Affairs
and Economic Development committees of JCCIH, our members prioritize Economic
Development, Workforce Development, and Infrastructure, among other issues. The U.S.
military's presence has provided positive economic development, jobs and infrastructure.
Additionally, PTA has provided needed emergency and first aid services through their fire
department and emergency services at PTA. U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area was
recently named as a recipient of the 2024 Army Community Partnership Award, highlighting the
exceptional collaboration between the Army and Hawaii Fire Department to improve readiness,
adaptability and quality of life for military and community members. The award, presented at
the Pentagon on May 15, was accepted by PTA Commander Lt. Col. Timothy Alvarado and
HID Fire Chief Kazuo Todd. It is my understanding that PTA personnel provided critical
emergency services on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and are often the first on scene of accidents
in the area.
We recognize the concerns raised in the Resolution but do believe there would likely be negative
impacts on our community were the U.S. military to "immediately" cease training activities at
PTA. We recommend that the issue be studied in more detail and support
120 Pauahi Street STE 205 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (�
Telephone:808-934-0177 Comm.
email: jccih@jccih.org • www.jecih.org Ref. To:
Ref. Date P - 3 2025
continued engagement in a transparent, accountable, and stakeholder -involved manner.
Rather than condemn and give ultimatums to the State and Federal governments, we believe that
our values of Kahiau (giving without expecting anything in return) and Okage Sama De ("I am
what I am because of you") would best be served by REJECTING THIS DIVISIVE
RESOLUTION and, instead, seeking opportunity to be a part of the conversation with the
Federal and State governments as we work TOGETHER instead of demonizing our military
training facility at Pohakuloa and the brave men and women of our armed forces.
Mahalo for considering my testimony,
Vaughn G. T. Cook
Vice President and Co -Chair of Government Affairs/Economic Development Committee of the
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry ofHawai'i
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