My father was a career Navy man. He retired after 30 years as a Chief Boatswain’s Mate, serving for decades on the USS Bon Homme Richard.
I was literally born into the U. S. military and grew up moving from one military base to another, from California, to the Philippines, to Japan, Alaska, and finally to Ford Island, Hawai’i. I am proud of my father’s service and believe without question we need a strong military.
But enough is enough.
Here in Hawai’i, the U.S. military controls over 220,000 acres including the land under Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hickam Airforce Base, Kaneohe Marine Corp Base, Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Air Field, Pōhakuloa, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, Makua, Pacific Missile Range Facility, and numerous other military offices.
The United States is the largest exporter of weapons worldwide, with more military bases in more countries than any other.
The U.S. spends more money on “defense” than any other country on the planet, approximately $916 billion per year – more than the combined defense budgets of China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Germany, Ukraine, France, and Japan. (Source: Peterson Foundation, rated unbiased and non-partisan)
It’s WAY past time for a reset.
This is where thinking globally and acting locally gets real.
We can and we MUST stop the cycle of aggression, and expand instead our efforts toward peace, reconciliation, and diplomacy.
Support for American troops, belief in the importance of national security, and rejection of the endless expansion of the U.S. war machine are values that can, and MUST, co-exist.
We can maintain a strong defense AND we can exercise our right to say enough is enough.
It’s time for us here in Hawai’i to step up, do what is right, and set the example for others to follow.
It’s time we say NO to the renewing of land leases at Pōhakuloa, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, and Makua. It’s time to refuse expansion at PMRF Barking Sands and say NO to the bombing of Kaʻula Island.
Imagine it.
Imagine the people of Hawai’i saying firmly and clearly, NO to the U.S. military’s expansion in our islands, and YES to being a center of global peace — a Geneva of the Pacific.
Imagine Hawai’i taking the lead and embracing a Hoʻoponopono-centered approach to global peace, led by those whose ancestors came first to these lands.
Think of the message this would send around the world.
According to numerous media reports, Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll has been communicating regularly with Hawai’i Governor Josh Green. The messaging from both men is aligned along the same track: the State of Hawai’i must agree to allow the Army to continue bombing Pōhakuloa or the Army will take the land by force, via eminent domain.
The Army is threatening to take the lands at Pōhakuloa regardless of what the people of Hawai’i want. They are refusing to comply with State law HRS 343, which requires them to provide full disclosure of environmental, health, and cultural impacts that will occur.
Wow. Think about THAT headline: “TRUMP’S ARMY ATTEMPTS TO TAKE HAWAI’I LANDS BY FORCE.”
Think about the people of Hawai’i standing together and saying NO to the U.S. military.
Think about the people all over the globe who might be inspired to do the same.
This is what it means to think globally and act locally.
THIS is what should concern Trump, Hegseth, and Driscoll et al.
Gary Hooser
No titles, no presumptions, just tired of all the killing
GaryHooser's Blog 
Now you’re talking!!
Aggressive efforts with potentially life changing results.
Let’s do this
Enough already
Mahalo Pam…Momentum is building…We must get the same message to the Governor and all those holding elective office at all levels.
Gary,I get wh
I get wh???? Say what?
“Think about the people of Hawai’i standing together and saying NO to the U.S. Military.
Think about the people all over the globe who might be inspired to do the same. ”
Long overdue! That kind of resistance worked for Kaho’olawe, Mauna Kea, and the Red Hill oil leak. So mobilize with purpose to stop this new land grab. Evict the lying burglar!
I just tried to post this:
Think about the people of Hawai’i standing together and saying NO to the U.S. Military. Think about the people all over the globe who might be inspired to do the same. ” Long overdue! That kind of resistance worked for Kaho’olawe, Mauna Kea, and the Red Hill oil leak. So mobilize with purpose to stop this new land grab. Evict the lying burglar!
But it told me that the secure connection had failed. Hmm, Like maybe someone doesn’t want this resistance to occur?
Hi, Senator.
Thank you for saying what needs to be said and your efforts to mobilize opposition to the continued seemingly unrestricted use of Hawaii soil as bombing sites.
WITH that said, another fact requires a hard look: the likelihood of changing the established Hawaii executive/military trajectory of further entitlement to bomb is grim.
Anticipate an extension of the existing lease or execution of a new, similar agreement.
The State frequently abdicates its responsibility–first by not understanding the “lay of the land” and then driving a hard bargain, second by memorializing those terms and conditions in the agreement that also include penalties for the military’s breach of its agreement, and third–and arguably most important–as inspectors and stewards of the land to ensure compliance with those terms.
The State of Hawaii has consistently failed in its stewardship. For far too many years, the State has allowed the military to run amok on its leased land, primarily in its failure to clean up its messes.
Consider enforcement. IMHO Hawaii has a Federal bench sensitive and sympathetic to us, the people of Hawaii. Our judges LIVE here. It’s protected us against unrestricted GMO testing, and it would likely protect us against the military’s breach of clear, unambiguous terms.
However, therein lies the rub: “clear, unambiguous terms.”
I’ve always wondered at the yutzes who draft contracts for the State and hide behind legalese–wordy, but silent as to major terms, conditions, and enforcement. A court can’t remedy even conspicuous wrongs without clear language establishing the parties’ respective rights and obligations.
Anyway, my two cents. Keep up the good work, Gary.
Mahalo Mary. Well said and valid concerns…I guess I’m counting on a zillion eyeballs watching every word that gets put into any contracts…but yes…the reality is this stuff gets done too often sloppily…and in the dark away from public scrutiny…but…we still give it our best shot…knowing we must watch closely every step of the way..
Considering what is going on in DC, Los Angeles, Chicago (although I would like to see that cat fight), I’m getting more and more concerned with having this much military in our State. Come on people, do we really need all six branches? I think it’s time to send some of them home. I’m tired of my country being the NYPD or LAPD of the world. I’m tired of the monetary cost to support this Jabba the Hutt. It’s time to make our military smaller and smarter. Keep saying, “NO.” Make it loud and clear. The orange one doesn’t care about us anyway.