HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.558 2024-2026From: Kaimihokulani Kaleleiki
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 8A4 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Resolution 234 25
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and councilmembers,
My name is Ka'imi, I am testifying in strong support of this resolution urging the State of Hawai'i to protect the
health and safety of Hawai'i Island residents by ceasing all live -fire exercises at P6hakuloa Training Area and
rejecting any lease renewals or land swaps with the military.
For over six decades, the military has used these sacred conservation lands at P6hakuloa—leased for just $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. In the entire time they occupied PTA, the Army has given the people of
Hawai'i NO indication they will ever be good stewards. They also have made no effort to clean up the
materials they have left in Pohakuloa. These materials are incredibly harmful to the environment and if
not cleaned up properly will cause further damage to the'aina and surrounding communities.
The courts have already confirmed that the State has failed to uphold its constitutional duty to monitor and
protect these lands. In Ching v. Case (2019), the Hawai'i Supreme Court found the State breached its trust
obligations by neglecting cleanup and oversight responsibilities at P6hakuloa. These failures cann continue.
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Ref. Date P !-TZ5