Please submit testimony blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov

My testimony will be in opposition. Before any appraisal is authorized there must be a thorough evaluation of the current condition of each property AND the Army must remove all ordinance unexploded or otherwise AND rehabilitate and restore those areas that have in the past been damaged by their activities. In addition, there must be a community process established to determine the future use of these properties that best reflects the needs and desires of the community as a whole.

It should not be automatically assumed these leases will be extended. Setting a lease price amount via authorization of an appraisal is premature.

The BLNR and the State of Hawaii must seek out a future for these lands that’s in the best interest of the people of Hawaii.

To be clear- We need to be shrinking the US military footprint in our islands and around the globe, not expanding it.

Click to access Agenda-240412.pdf

Testimony should reference the below agenda item:

D. LAND DIVISION

2. Informational Briefing Update on the United States Army Training Land Retention Efforts for the Pōhakuloa Training Area on the Island of Hawaiʻi and for Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, and Mākua Training Lands on the Island of Oʻahu;

And

Authorize the Chairperson to Negotiate, Approve and Execute a Contract for Appraisal Services to Determine the Fair Market Value Currently Leased by the United States Army, Tax Map Keys (1) 5-8-002:002, 5-9-006:026; 7-2-001:006; 8-1- 001:007 (por.), 008 and 012 (por.), 8-2-001:001, 022, 024, & 025; and (3) 4-4- 015:008, 4-4-016:005. 7-1-004:007.

Read: https://garyhooser.blog/2024/01/01/the-most-important-issue-of-our-time/