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 Resolution 23,425 to protect the health, safety, and cultural integrity of Hawaii Island." Skye Narvaez, a Hilo resident, said the resolution is "the next step we need to protect Pohakuloa the way it should be protected" and warned that a no vote would force youth and future generations to repeat the same fight.

Dozens of kupuna and long-time residents recounted decades of military activity at PTA, arguing the Army and other services have not met cleanup obligations. Corey Harden, a Hilo resident, said he had accepted an Army invitation to a community advisory group and later became convinced the service prioritized mission over accountability. Testimony also cited earlier court and administrative decisions: speakers invoked the Hawaii Supreme Court case Ching v. Case and noted the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) rejected the military’s final environmental impact statement for PTA.

Opposition and concerns: Not all testimony favored the resolution. Vaughn Cook, testifying for the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, warned of likely economic and emergency-response impacts if training ceased immediately and urged more study and stakeholder engagement. He noted examples of military collaboration with local emergency services and cited an Army community partnership award. Other speakers urged a careful, law‑based path rather than an immediate operational halt.

Council discussion and action: Councilmember Villegas, the resolution’s author, framed the measure as a legal and moral appeal grounded in state law and the county’s trust responsibilities. She cited Hawaii Revised Statutes and the state constitution’s public-trust obligations in urging the governor and state agencies to enforce existing law and protect public resources. Councilmember Kirkowitz underscored the volume of testimony and the need for action; Councilmember Galimba and others acknowledged the complexity and the competing concerns raised by opponents while supporting the council’s adoption.

Vote and next steps: Councilmembers moved and seconded the resolution; after a brief recess the body reconvened and approved Resolution 23,425. The measure passed with an affirmative vote by the council (vote tally reported in the meeting minutes: yes 8, no 0, abstain 0; one member excused). As a county resolution it does not automatically change state or federal permits or leases; the measure formally asks the State of Hawaii to act, and proponents said they expect its passage to strengthen the county’s position in future state and federal proceedings and public negotiations.

Context and clarifications: Multiple witnesses and speakers raised distinct factual claims during testimony. The council’s resolution does not itself adjudicate those claims. Speakers cited these points during the meeting: - Acreage: witnesses said PTA comprises roughly 133,000 acres (testified by Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action). - Lease terms: multiple speakers said PTA land has been leased to the U.S. military for nominal fees in past decades (testimony referenced a $1-per-year arrangement). - Environmental challenges: testimony referenced alleged contamination (including depleted uranium in some reports), wildfires allegedly associated with military activities, and the potential for impacts to a major freshwater aquifer below Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. - Endangered species: the American Bird Conservancy testified about palila habitat and cited a recent U.S. Geological Survey population estimate (testifier provided the numerical estimate during testimony). - Administrative record: several speakers said BLNR rejected the military’s final EIS and that the Ching v. Case decision and related HRS provisions impose duties on state agencies; speakers urged the governor and BLNR to enforce those duties.

What the council did not do: The county council did not pass a law changing state leases, did not order military operations to stop (the military operates under federal authority), and did not itself alter PTA access or operations. It adopted a nonbinding county resolution meant to influence state and federal decision-makers and to register local public sentiment.

Closing: Supporters framed the resolution as part of a broader statewide and multi‑generational effort to protect sacred sites, water and public health; opponents called for more study of economic and emergency-response implications. The resolution’s adoption sets the county’s stance ahead of ongoing and anticipated state-level processes concerning the PTA, including BLNR deliberations and any negotiations involving the governor’s office.

Votes at a glance (other council actions Sept. 3): In the same session the council approved a number of mostly noncontroversial administrative and grant measures, and passed zoning and code changes after public hearings. Items approved included intergovernmental park agreements with the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for Panaewa and Hualani parks, multiple small community grant transfers (events, veterans and cultural programs), authorizations for county agreements with FAA and other agencies, indemnification for a former employee as recommended by corporation counsel, and two charter or code amendments (a zoning update for meeting facilities and a charter amendment updating qualifications for the Environmental Management director). These individual items were recorded in the meeting minutes and were approved by the council as listed in the official record.

Sources and provenance: the article is based on the Hawaii County Council meeting transcript, Sept. 3, 2025 (public testimony, council debate and recorded votes). Excerpts above quote public speakers and council members as identified in the transcript.

Ending: The council’s resolution places the county on record; the practical effect depends on follow-up at the state level (BLNR, governor’s office) and on any federal or military actions. Members of the public on both sides of the issue said they would continue to monitor state and federal steps and return to county forums as events proceed.