Army Seeks Faster Deal to Keep Hawaii’s Pohakuloa Training Area Amid Local Opposition

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated on Tuesday that the U.S. Army aims to expedite discussions regarding the continued use of Hawaii's Pohakuloa Training Area, the only extensive live-fire range for ground troops in the state.

While in Hawaii, Driscoll met with Gov. Josh Green to discuss the future of the military's lease on a portion of the 133,000-acre training area on the Big Island, located between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The Army's lease is set to expire in 2029, so Driscoll wants talks to begin immediately, rather than waiting until just a few years before the deadline.

"The world is changing," Driscoll said, pointing out that China is becoming more aggressive, especially when it comes to Taiwan. We need to act faster than ever in Indo-Pacom due to the current situation there. He reiterated that Hawaii's location is crucial for quickly deploying U.S. troops to other parts of the Pacific.

Native Hawaiians and environmentalists are scrutinizing the Army's plans more closely. They say that the military has a history of mismanaging Hawaiian lands, with problems like pollution, fuel leaks, and damage to cultural sites. At a public hearing in May, many people spoke out against renewing the lease.

Healani Sonoda-Pale of Ka Lāhui Hawai‘i, a Native Hawaiian sovereignty group, expressed concern that the talks were unclear. The woman said, "There must be openness in the discussions about these leases." Driscoll acknowledged the community's worries and said the Army was ready to listen. He asked Gov. Green's office to compile information on how the troops can better assist with local needs. The speaker said, "We want to look into ways to give back to a community that has helped our military and our country so much."

Governor Green stated that his government is collaborating with the Army and will solicit feedback from the people. "We will look into opportunities together... for the benefit of Hawaii's people and our environment," he said, adding that he had also told Hawaii's congressional representatives.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda emphasized the importance of including promises in any lease renewal that will help address Hawaii's housing issues and repair its aging infrastructure.

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