HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.663 2024-2026,K Kona=Kohala
,� CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
September 1, 2025
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Re: Opposition to Resolution No. 234-25
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and the Members of the Hawai'i County Councils`
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Founded in 1968, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to enhancing
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the quality of life for our community through a strong, sustainable economy on Haw%'
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Island. Representing 460 member businesses and organizations, our mission is to
provide leadership and advocacy for a successful business environment in West
Hawai'i.
We respectfully oppose the County of Hawaii Resolution 234-25 regarding the U.S.
Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA).
We humbly request that the council oppose this resolution. While the issues it raises are
important, the resolution presents only a partial view and does not include additional
context that highlights PTA's significant positive contributions to Hawai'i Island's
community. A more comprehensive consideration of perspectives is necessary to
ensure a balanced, accurate approach.
For example, PTA firefighters serve as first responders in a remote area of the island,
working in partnership with local firefighters to ensure the community's safety. PTA Fire
and Emergency routinely responds to requests for mutual aid emergencies, and during
a recent six-month period, they responded to 37 such requests.
In May 2025, PTA received the 2024 Army Community Partnership Award, recognizing
its collaboration with the Hawai'i Fire Department (HFD) to improve readiness,
adaptability, and quality of life for military and community members. Over the past five
years, collaboration with HFD has resulted in approximately 13,000 hours of training at
PTA by firefighters and recruits, including those from across all islands.
Moreover, PTA is a critical asset for national security. Year-round training.at PTA is
essential for maintaining operational readiness and preparing our service members for
the complex challenges they face across the Indo-Pacific. Its unique terrain, scale, and
location make it an irreplaceable asset forjoint military operations and mission -critical
coordination.
Beyond its strategic role, PTA also provides crucial connections to our Hawai'i Island
community by bolstering the local economy through jobs and utilizing local businesses
for a variety of support services.
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Comm.
75-5737 Kuakini Highway, Suite 2081 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
www.kona-kohala.com 1 (808) 329-1758 1 info@kona-kohala.coAef. To:
Ref. Date - , 2025
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� CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lastly, our Chamber has toured PTA on multiple occasions, and we recognize the
importance of the State-owned parcel, which is essential to the training mission and
includes substantial infrastructure investments. Although the State of Hawaii Board of
Land and Natural Resources did not approve the Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the Army Training Land Retention at Pohakuloa Training Area on May 9, 2025, we
support a solution that promotes the continued use of this land for PTA.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our perspective.
We respectfully request that the council oppose Resolution No. 234-25.
Sincerely,
Wendy J. Laros, President and CEO
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
75-5737 Kuakini Highway, Suite 208 l Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
°www.kona-kohala.com 1 (808) 329-1758 1 info@kona-kohala.com