County Council members voiced their opinions regarding PTA issues
In the heart of Hawaii County, a series of concerning events have been unfolding. Fires burn at night, and guns are fired, bombs are exploded, all contributing to an unsettling atmosphere. The most direct impacts of the Pohakuloa Training Area, a military base located in the county, are being felt by its residents.
Cultural resources are being trampled upon, and endangered species are at risk. Depleted uranium and other toxic chemicals are buried in the dirt, posing a potential threat to both the environment and the health of the community.
The Pohakuloa Training Area lease extension and related issues are of significant importance to Hawaii. The Army's planned use of the area must be disclosed and properly analyzed prior to the State entering into any agreement, as required by HRS343. An environmental impact statement, a disclosure document that discloses impacts of a proposed land lease, including direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts, as well as proposed mitigation of negative impacts, is crucial in this process.
However, neither the Army nor the governor sends a representative to a Hawaii County Council committee meeting regarding Pohakuloa. This lack of transparency has led to a growing concern among the community.
Mahalo (thank you) to council member Rebecca Villegas for introducing Resolution 234-25, and to the eight council members who voted yes. The resolution calls for Gov. Green to reconsider his support of fast-tracking the Pohakuloa decision and comply with state law HRS343 and the state Constitution, Article XI, which states that the state and its political subdivisions must conserve and protect Hawaii's natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Army's Secretary, Dan Driscoll, has expressed respect for Hawaii, Hawaiian culture, and the importance of preserving and protecting the natural environment. Gov. Green believes the Army intends to force the issue under the guise of national security, and the best option for the state is to negotiate a lease with the best terms possible.
In a show of unity and determination, Mahalo most of all to the people of Hawaii Island for showing up, speaking out, and leading on this critically important issue. Their voices are a testament to the importance of protecting Hawaii's natural resources for generations to come.
(Note: The person who introduced Resolution 234-25 is not publicly specified, and Gary Hooser, a former state senator who represented Kauai, is not directly related to the Pohakuloa issue and may not be necessary to include in this article.)
