Please take a moment to read this article by Kevin Knodell in the Honolulu StarAd today entitled “Army chief vows to respect Hawaiʻi culture and environment, but 60-day timeline is questioned.”

It made me want to throw up.

To better understand my visceral gut reaction please read also – The Army Is Not Our Neighbor by Ethan Mckown.  He describes the truth much more eloquently.

In the StarAdv piece, the United States Army Secretary Dan Driscoll speaks at great length of his deep respect for Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian culture, and the importance of preserving and protecting our natural environment.

He then says we need to wrap all this up and cut a deal on Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) within 60 days, saying the Army is having “near daily discussions with the governor’s team”.

In other words, “Damn the torpedo’s (and the troublesome, pain in the ōkole, time consuming public input) full speed ahead.”

According to the article, “The Governor also shares the Secretary’s optimism about an expedited timeline and is moving forward in that spirit.”

Then of course they hold hands and throw in the warm and fuzzy caveat, “…both the Governor and the Secretary are committed to following the lawful process and ensuring that the community has an opportunity to provide input.”

If they’re “committed to following the lawful process”, they should just follow the lawful process and not attempt to jam this through in a totally unrealistic and arbitrary 60 days.

It’s disgusting, and it’s definitely not what democracy looks like.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted to reject the Army’s environmental impact statements, citing numerous flaws and inadequacies.

Clearly the Army is seeking ways to cut a deal in private, while providing lip service to valid community, cultural, and environmental concerns.

Kahoʻolawe remains contaminated 35 years after the U.S. Military stopped the bombing and desecration there. The U.S. Navy continues to dodge, delay, and obfuscate responsibility for Red Hill and the contamination of drinking water on Oʻahu. Decades of live fire exercises and other military training activities at Pōhakuloa, Mākua, Kahuku and other locations in Hawaiʻi will likewise take billions of dollars and a generation or more to clean up and restore.

It’s important to remember the Commander in Chief is Donald Trump who’s backed by the “warrior ethos” testosterone fueled Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

These guys see the U.S. constitution, the democratic process, community input, and transparency as obstacles that get in their way.

Recently they announced an expanded Hawaiʻi role in the future development of missile systems utilizing technologies in space, air, and on the ground.This clearly points to expansion of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauaʻi.

President Trump has also instructed the U.S. Military to eliminate policies that support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recently it was announced that some soldiers who have served honorably, with perfect records and impeccable job performance – would be terminated and discharged from military service without retirement benefits – because of their gender identity.

We are at a pivotal moment in time. 

We must say no to the U.S. Army, and we must call Governor Green TODAY and ask him to reconsider his support of fast-tracking this important decision. 

Everyone – regardless of the island you call home – Call Governor Green today (808) 586-0034, Sunday and you’ll get voice mail – just leave a short message (polite and professional please) – No fast-tracking of Pōhakuloa. Stop the bombing. No lease extensions. No land swaps or sales. Protect the public trust.

UPDATE – I’ve got good news and bad news. The Governor’s voicemail box is now full. Please try back later after his office has had a chance to check and clear the messages.

If you are a resident of Hawaiʻi Island please submit written testimony TODAY to your Hawaiʻi County Council in support of Resolution 234-25 TODAY – prior to Monday August 18th @ noon counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov 

All Hawaiʻi must stand together on this one.

The message can be short and the action requested straight-forward:

End the live fire and bombing at Pōhakuloa; Protect air, water, and sacred lands. No lease. No land swap. No land sale. Protect the public trust.

Hawai’i County Residents
Please show up in person if you can!

Tuesday, Aug 19, 11am – West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74 5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua Kona. In-person testimony is available in both Kona and Hilo.

You can also request to testify via Zoom  councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov 

For more information, to read the Resolution and easy testimony guidelines, talking points and tips – visit HULIPAC .

Many of you have asked me “What can we do to make a difference?” Well here it is…a valuable opportunity to think globally and act locally.

So please just do it. Make the call to Governor Green and if you are a Hawaiʻi County resident – submit testimony and show up in person on Tuesday.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
A wearer of many hats…today it’s about action…
Breaking…Ethan Mckown just put out this excellent MUST READ piece that easily explains  “The Army’s Imminent Land Grab”