Hawaii County Council urges state to seek halt to live-fire training at Pohakuloa; resolution passes unanimously

The Hawaii County Council voted unanimously Sept. 3 to approve Resolution 23,425, a nonbinding measure urging the State of Hawaii to seek an end to live-fire training and “bombing and desecration activities” at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA), to reject lease renewals or land swaps with the U.S. military unless strict conditions are adopted, and to require a kapakai analysis (a cultural, environmental and public-health review) for the area.

The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Villegas, passed after more than three hours of public testimony from dozens of residents, kupuna, environmental groups and business organizations. Supporters urged immediate action to protect wahi pana (sacred places), groundwater and endangered species; opponents warned of economic and emergency-services impacts if training were curtailed.

Why it matters: Pohakuloa sits between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Hawaii Island and is cited in testimony and filings as culturally significant, ecologically sensitive and a potential source of contamination that could affect island aquifers and downstream communities. The resolution does not change state or federal law but asks the State of Hawaii to pursue measures that proponents say would halt further environmental harm and protect native cultural sites.

What the resolution asks: The text urges the state to (1) request cessation of live-fire training and bombing at PTA; (2) reject land swaps and lease renewals with the military unless they include specific stipulations such as comprehensive cleanup, environmental and cultural analyses and enforceable provisions; and (3) require a kapakai analysis of PTA and related military-occupied lands across the islands.

Public testimony: Dozens of speakers delivered testimony from Hilo, Kona, Pahoa and via Zoom. Many native Hawaiian speakers, kupuna and community organizers described Pohakuloa as wahi pana and urged the council to act. For example, Maki Morinoy, a Halualoa resident, told the council she "stands in strong support of…