HONOLULU (KHON2) — The U.S. Secretary of the Army sent Gov. Josh Green a letter on Aug. 21 about the framework of military land leases in Hawaiʻi.
He stressed the importance of collaboration, as well as the possibility for land to be exchanged in a new agreement.
“We want to work with you to come to a mutually acceptable framework by the end of this year that will allow us to move forward,” said U.S. Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll. “Working together and with congressional support, we believe land exchange can be part of this framework.”
The training lands in Hawaiʻi are especially desirable for their strategic location, Driscoll pointed out.
“Hawaiʻi has been generous in its support for the Army and has leased numerous lands to us over the past 65 years,” Driscoll said. “These lands are critical to the Army’s ability to project U.S. power in the Indo-Pacific, serving as a vital logistics hub for rapid troop deployment.”
Although land exchange was mentioned in Driscoll’s letter, “no specific parcels have been identified and no official conversations on parcels have occurred to date between Governor Green and Secretary Driscoll,” said the Governor’s office in a press release.
Additionally, the Board of Land and Natural Resources holds legal authority over state lands. This means, “any formal [land] exchange would ultimately require BLNR action and compliance with state law.”
“Federal leaders have stated there are national security considerations at stake and they’ve made clear they could act through eminent domain, which would take the land without giving Hawaiʻi anything in return,” said Governor Green.
The framework agreement previously had a 60-day stated timeline, said the Governor’s Office.
The army has now expressed its intent to reach an agreement by the end of 2025.
“It is imperative that we move quickly to resolve this issue now,” Driscoll said.
Green said he wants a fair deal for Hawaiʻi.
“The original lease for the Pōhakuloa Training Area was signed in 1964 for just $1 and it expires in 2029,” Green said. “That’s why I’m insisting on a fair deal, for example, the return of lands like Mākua Valley, cleanup of contaminated training areas, protection of our water and a commitment to build thousands of new homes to relieve pressure on our housing market.”
He expressed his commitment to supporting community needs in housing and renewable energy.
“I’m also pushing for lands that can be transferred to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, so more Native Hawaiian families have the opportunity of homeownership,” Green said. “And I want the military to invest in renewable energy and safer infrastructure to lower costs for our people.”
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Starting in September, a public website will be available with formal army documents, background on the leases and updates on it.
The state intends to provide transparency with this website.