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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.634 2024-2026From: Michael Reimer Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2025 11:34 AM To: Council Testimony 9i Subject: testimony for Resolution 234-25 o c-3 c a I submit testimony regarding Resolution 234-25. N O f Michael Reimer, Ph.D.= GeoMikeSoatt.net �o �T _ August 26, 2025 rv? r� _- Every so often, in the course of governance, there is a coincidence in time of available information that elevates the importance of a bill or resolution being considered. Such is the case now with Resolution 234-25 and the release of Governor Green's 2025 State of Hawai'i Policy Booklet entitled "Results for Our People". The resolution clearly and succinctly states that it is the County's wish in the Spirit of Aloha to provide exceptional stewardship to protect the land, culture, environment, and the health and safety of the people. The "Results for our People," highly touted by the Governor as emphasizing marked successes of his administration, includes an entire section on Protecting our Fragile Environment in which the tragic environmental destruction from Red Hill fuel leakage is highlighted. He concludes that section with the comment, "Now, we are working to shutdown Red Hill permanently, ensuring it will never again endanger the health of our people or the safety of our water." There is no question that Resolution 234-25 is absolutely consistent with the Governor's words that the health of the people should not be placed at unnecessary risk by any activity. People today and in the future, including residents, visitors, employees of PTA, and even soldiers, should never be put in avoidable harm's way from military training. Passage of Resolution 234-25 will make it clear that the County of Hawaii is aware of and sensitive to environmental and cultural harm caused by military activities. Just as Red Hill was known for years to be a disaster in the making, so is PTA a disaster equivalent or worse than Kaho'olawe in the making for Hawai'i County. It need not happen. The irony continues with the lease of State lands at PTA up for renewal and the military pushing the Governor to fast track that renewal. It is highly probable the Army wants to fast track this renewal, not due until 2029, because it fears if the administration changes, there would be a more thorough review and imposition of realistic requirements to the lease renewal that it can avoid through a fast track. While this resolution does not directly address lease extension, it does send a message that the integrity of Hawai'i Island must be considered in any lease negotiations. Despite its claims to the contrary, the military has not been a good steward for PTA. Failure for adequate cultural and endangered species protections, toxins languishing and migrating for decades without cleanup, the past use of unlined waste disposal sites, burn pans (a smaller version of burn pits as used in the Middle East), training that initiates numerous wildfires every year, all contribute to a disaster in the making. This resolution sends the message that the County of Hawai'i should have balanced -issue representation on any committee, board, team or groups discussing lease renewal and that its modest concerns and suggestions be respected. A recent news report suggested the Governor feels that he must comply with fast tracking because if he does not, the Government will merely seize the land through eminent domain. To that, we must all hope that the Governor stands strong and insists that the wishes of the people to protect the land are honored and that such is included in any decision regarding lease continuation, not just for O'ahu but for all the islands. I have no doubt the Governor is aware of this need because his report included a very germane introductory opening statement by Queen Lili'uokalani: "You must remember never to cease to act because you fear you may fail." " 1 'COMMef.T ).5 _ = ZO Ref.Date_ ___ Please pass Resolution 234-25.