STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR GREEN ON BLNR DECISION

News Release from Office of the Governor, June 27, 2025

The following is attributable to Governor Josh Green, M.D.:

“The Board’s vote on the Army’s Final Environmental Impact Statement underscores the need for continued dialogue and shared responsibility when it comes to the future of state lands.

“The Army’s proposal to retain a smaller footprint on Oʻahu reflects a commitment to align important military training with community and environmental considerations. We acknowledge and appreciate the Army’s dedicated engagement throughout this process. As global threats grow more complex and regional stability becomes more fragile, Hawai‘i’s unique position at the heart of the Indo-Pacific makes it vital to the defense of both our islands and the nation — highlighting the importance of maintaining military readiness that is both effective and accountable to the communities it serves.

“Ensuring our Armed Forces remain prepared and resilient is a priority, and as we move forward, my administration is committed to working with all parties to ensure that next steps are guided by transparency, a shared sense of purpose, kuleana to future generations and long-term benefit to the people of Hawai‘i.”

  *   *   *   *   *

LAND BOARD VOTES NOT TO ACCEPT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR ARMY LEASES ON OʻAHU

News Release from BLNR, June 27, 2025  

HONOLULU — Citing significant gaps in environmental analysis as presented by DLNR staff, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted not to accept the U.S. Army’s final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the retention of state lands on Oʻahu. The BLNR’s decision was after hours of impassioned public testimony, primarily against the Army’s FEIS.

Three Oʻahu sites were under consideration for this FEIS: state-leased portions of the Kahuku Training Area (KTA), the Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area (Poamoho) and the Mākua Military Reservation (MMR).

The decision follows last month’s BLNR vote to not accept the Army’s FEIS for Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaiʻi Island. “The action before the BLNR was whether to accept or non-acceptance of the FEIS based upon specific legal criteria set forth in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 343 and relevant administrative rules. Applying the legal criteria to the FEIS, reviewing hundreds of written and oral testimonies, as well as comments from DLNR’s own divisions, the BLNR members voted to not accept the FEIS,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang. “The FEIS did not meet that bar.”

DLNRʻs Land Division (LD) consulted with multiple other divisions within the department, including the Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM), the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to review the FEIS. LD staff provided the BLNR a recommendation of non-acceptance based on a clear lack of baseline data to enable the DLNR and the BLNR to determine and understand the extent of any impacts to natural, historical and cultural resources. In the board submittal, the LD indicated this was a consensus among all the Divisions.

Areas where staff felt the FEIS fell short included adequately accounting for known and likely archaeological sites, lack of recent data for biological resources and absence of stream aquatic surveys. Each of these concerns was raised in the draft EIS phase, but went unaddressed in the final report.

An FEIS is intended to support informed decision-making and does not, by itself, authorize any land use. A separate review and determination would be required should such a request be brought before the BLNR in the future.

The Army’s current lease for more than 6,000 acres of state-owned land at the three sites on Oʻahu is set to expire in 2029.

---30---

Big Q: What do you think of the state Land Board rejecting the Army’s environmental report for three Oahu land leases? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser – 53% “Disagree, Army has stepped up to downsize”

SA: Army land retention efforts stalled again | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SA: Land board rejects Army’s final EIS | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

CB: State Rejects Army Analysis Of Its Impact On Oʻahu Training Sites - Honolulu Civil Beat

KITV: Land board rejects environmental impact statement for Army leases on Oahu | Local | kitv.com

HNN:  State land board rejects Army’s EIS for proposed Oahu land retention