HONOLULU (KHON2) — Following an emotion day of testimony, the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to reject the Army’s Environmental Impact Statement covering approximately 6,300 acres of land in Kahuku, Makua and Poamoho on June 27.
The board’s decision has put the future of land use for military training in jeopardy.
Last month, the board had rejected the Army’s Environmental Impact Statement, also known as an EIS, to retain their lease at Pohakuloa on Hawaiʻi Island.
During June 27’s meeting, the board reiterated their rejection, this time with three training facilities on Oʻahu. During the meeting, approximately 100 people testified in person.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Dawn Chang, who also serves as the chairperson of the board, said during the meeting that it would be an emotional day and that she wouldn’t tolerate disrespectful behavior.
A woman was taken away due to disorderly conduct, after she interrupted several testifiers.
Prior to testimony, the DLNR’s Land Division had asked the board to reject the military’s EIS.
“This is due to a consensus among the divisions that the final EIS is insufficient, as there is a clear lack of baseline data for the department and therefore for the board to determine and understand the extent of any impacts to natural, historical and cultural resources — further staff believes that comments from the department on the draft EIS were not responded to satisfactorily,” said Lauren Yasaka, DLNR Land Division planner.
According to the Army, they preferred to return approximately 5,800 acres of land, keeping about 450 acres in Kahuku.
“We ask you accept the Oʻahu final EIS that seeks to return almost 6,000 acres of land to the people of Hawaiʻi while ensuring the continued defense of our island home and our nation,” said Col. Rachel Sullivan, an Army garrison commander.
The military says the jungle-like environment is unlike anywhere on the continent for the military to train.
Despite their reassurance, many Native Hawaiians are skeptical of the Army’s intention.
“[The Army has] not been good stewards of [the land], or shown evidence of cleaning up, just give it back,” said Wynona-Lynne Masaniai, who testified against the EIS’s approval.
The military’s lease is up in 2029.