The U.S. is the largest supplier of arms on the planet and has more military bases deployed in more countries than any other country in human history.

Testimony in Support of HCR 91 and HR 85  
 
“DECLARING OVER MILITARIZATION TO BE A THREAT TO THE SECURITY OF HAWAII AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND URGING PRIORITIZATION OF HUMANITARIAN AID IN THE UNITED STATES’ RESPONSE TO THE UKRAINIAN CONFLICT AND INCREASED EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION.”

Aloha Committee Chair and Members,

While I only became aware of HCR 91 and HR85 this morning, I am compelled to offer this late testimony in support of the basic premise that the excessive militarism of Hawaii and the planet is not healthy for children and other living things (paraphrased from ‘Another Mother for Peace (AMP).

The U.S. is the largest supplier of arms on the planet and has more military bases deployed in more countries than any other country in human history.

To be clear, I am not a pacifist and I believe in a strong defense. I also believe that there are individuals in the world who are unstable and will bring harm to others if not stopped. I believe that sometimes force is required to protect the innocent, however force must be used only as a last resort and diplomacy must always be the primary path used to resolve differences.

Yes to a strong defense. No to the obscene amount of weapons the U.S. sells and deploys around the world and in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s military footprint must be reduced, not expanded. There is no question that the extensive presence of the military in Hawaii increases the likelihood of Hawaii being a military target.

O’ahu has seven major military facilities:

–Headquarters of the Indo-Pacific Command at Camp Smith, Aiea,
–Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Headquarters of U.S. Pacific Fleet
–Hickam Air Force Base and Headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Pacific
–Fort Shafter, Headquarters of the U.S. Army Pacific
–Kaneohe Marine Base,
–Schofield Barracks 25th Infantry Division Army Installation
–Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
 
Kaua`i has the large Pacific Missile Test Facility (PMRF) and currently there are plans to further expand this facility.
 
Hawaiʻi Island has the massive Pōhakuloa Training Area/Bombing Range.
 
Maui – Department of Defense computer system

The U.S. is the largest arms dealer in the world.

“The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) came out with its annual analysis of the global arms trade this week and as usual, the United States was the number one weapons exporter by a large margin. For the five years from 2017 to 2021, the U.S. accounted for 39 percent of major arms deliveries worldwide, over twice what Russia transferred and nearly 10 times what China sent to its weapons clients. In addition, the U.S. had far more customers – 103 nations, or more than half of the member states of the United Nations.” Forbes Magazine March 18, 2022

The U.S. has more military bases in more countries around the world, than any other country in human history.

“…some 750 American military facilities remain open in 80 nations and territories around the world. No other country in human history has had such a dominant presence…America also has three times as many installations as all other countries combined. The United Kingdom has 145. Russia two to three dozen. China five.” Cato Institute

“…the United States garrisons the planet unlike any country in history, and the evidence is on view from Honduras to Oman, Japan to Germany, Singapore to Djibouti…While there are no freestanding foreign bases permanently located in the United States, there are now around 800 US bases in foreign countries.” The Nation

Thank you for the opportunity to support HCR 91 and HR 85. I am hopeful that the Committee will pass this important measure and allow the discussion to continue.

Sincerely,

Gary Hooser

*Note: HCR91 was heard in committee and deferred (killed) without a public vote. There were 18 testimonies in support and ZERO testimonies in opposition. File this in the “Can’t make this stuff up and/or why am I not surprised” category.