HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.548 2024-2026From: Sh Ashley
Sent: Monday, September 1, 2025 1:36 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: SUPPORT RESOLUTION 234-25 POHAKULOA
o
o�
m
c
�C:,
Aloha Chair and Council Members,
�z
N
O�
1 SUPPORT Resolution 234-25 to protect Pohakuloa from further bombing and
desecration
'n C--'
e
-N
Pohakuloa is not just land. It is wahi pana, storied, sacred, and vital, life-giving land. But I wan,XSo
ex -
beyond preservation and public -health.
o
We are living in the 21 st century, not the 20th. The U.S. military is the most powerful and most
technologically advanced institution in the world. Trillions, not millions, not billions, but TRILLIONS of
taxpayer dollars fund unprecedented research and innovations like drones, artificial intelligence, virtual
and augmented realities and simulation. Yet here, today, 25 years or 1/4 into the 21 st century, in Hawai'i,
our communities, 'Oiwi and Kama'aina alike, are still being asked to shoulder and accept antiquated,
20th century, destructive bombing, burning and live fire military training practices on sacred and vital,
life -sustaining lands .... as if alternative innovations do not exist
Nothing could be further from the truth because alternative innovations do exist today and are currently
being employed by the U.S. military both nationally and locally, right here in Hawai'i. And these are
evidence that the beginnings of a different path forward in military combat training is already
underway.
U.S. continent
o U.S. Army's SYNTHETIC TRAINING ENVIRONMENT (STE) at Fort Cavazos, Texas
-b-nps:nwww army mil/article/274266/soldiers test new synthetic training environment
o U.S. Military's JOINT SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT (JSE)atNavalAir Stations inMaryland
& Nevada, Air Force Bases in California and Nevada, and at the Joint Base in Alaska.
-dos•//www navair navymilloawcad/ise
o U.S. Air Force's VIRTUAL TEST AND TRAINING CENTER (VTTC) in Nevada
- https•//www nellis of mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2318708/virtual-training-center-
leverages-enhanced-warfighter-capabilities/
Hawai'i
o U.S. Marine Corps' INFANTRY IMMERSION TRAINER (]IT) at Ksne'ohe Bay on O'ahu; a
mixed -reality facility without the need to drop bombs on the land.
These technologies are not hypotheticals, and despite not being completely pono of our sacred and vital
lands, they are only the tip of the iceberg, of what is and will be possible in military combat training
practices in the future.
Yet, why does Pohakuloa remain trapped in 20th century models of bombing and burning lands as if
no better options are available for consideration.
Comm. N
1 Ref. To:
Ref. Date - 3 2025
What role wilt council members today play in this history -making moment?
Will you cling to outdated, destructive models, as if untouched by the last 25 years of
technological advancements, or will you step forward as leaders who will insist that the U.S.
military align its training practices in these islands with 21st century innovations that are
already at their disposal?
The U.S. military has begun making these changes, why not here at Pohakuloa?
Supporting Resolution 234-25 is not just about stopping the bombing, and preserving sacred, vital lands,
but also about affirming that the future of U.S. military training in Hawai'i, must be accountable,
innovative, and rooted in partnership with the communities and lands it claims to protect.
Mahalo nui loa for your time and your commitment to our island's future.
Ka'imilanl
r-