HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.678 2024-2026ACTS OF REPENTANCE TASK FORCE
HAWAPI DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Mailing Address: 1350 Hunakai Street, Honolulu, HI 96816
September 1, 2025
.Vona Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and Hawaii County Councilmembers,
My name is Rev. Amy C. Wake, and I am testifying in strong support of resolution 234-25 urging the
State of Hawaii to protect the health and safety of Hawaii island residents by ceasing all live -fire
exercises at P6hakuloa Training Area until a full archaeological inventory survey and Ka Pa` akai
analysis are completed, and by rejecting any lease renewals or land swaps with the military.
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church has recognized its participation in the
overthrow of the nation of Hawaii with great remorse. We stand with Native Hawaiians who are asking
for the restoration of lands to the indigenous people of Hawaii and an end to historic colonial attitudes
towards its land and people. But we are also highly concerned about the insufficient and failed
P6hakuloa EIS from the Army Taking care of God's good earth is a primary tenant of the United
Methodist Church. Land is sacred and gifted to us by God not for commodification, but for stewardship
and care. Abusing and polluting lands are a detriment to future generations and the survival of the
planet.
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 Hawaii NO indication they will ever be good stewards.
The courts have already copfumed that the State has failed to uphold its constitutional duty to monitor
and protect these lands. In Ching a Case (20I9), the Hawaii Supreme Court found the State breached
its trust obligations by neglecting cleanup and oversight responsibilities at.P6hakuloa. These failures
cannot continue_
The Army's own environmental review was rejected•by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in
May. The FEIS omitted key cultural and environmental surveys, failed to meaningfully assess
contamination risks to groundwater, and ignored the constitutional requirement to protect Native
Hawaiian rights. To this day, no comprehensive archaeological inventory survey or Ka Pa`akai analysis
has been completed, despite their clear legal mandate.
Comm
Ref. To.:
Ref. Date 'S P - a !02.9
The Hawaii State Constitution is explicit: these public trust lands must be held for the benefit of Native
Hawaiians and the general public —not for military destruction. Article XTl, Section 7 further mandates
protection of Native Hawaiian cultural and religious practices. Continuing live -fire exercises in violation
of these constitutional protections is unacceptable.
Before any discussion of lease renewal or land swaps, the military must first finance and complete a
comprehensive cleanup, restoration, and bioremediation plan to heal the lands it has degraded.
Approving Resolution 234-25 sends a powerful message that Hawaii County stands with its people —
families, communities, cultural practitioners, and environmental stewards who have long raised concems
about PTA's short- and long-term impacts.
It signals that Hawaii County will no longer accept unilateral military decisions that compromise our
land, culture, and health without meaningful engagement, cleanup commitments, and legal compliance
with public trust obligations.
Sincerely,
Rev. Amy C. Wake
Chair, Acts of Repentance Task Force
Hawai `i District of the United Methodist Church