OHA Statement on Governor’s Military Lease Advisory Committee Announcement

(CLUE:  OHA would scoop up 20% of the take on any eminent domain cash payments.   Therefore, logically they would seek to disrupt any non-cash deals.  Skipping the fluff, OHA's real statement is highlighted in yellow below.)

News Release from OHA, Nov 14, 2025

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs acknowledges the Governor’s announcement and appreciates the invitation for our Administrator to participate in the Military Lease Advisory Committee. OHA’s role in this group will be to continue examining legally and politically viable alternatives to condemnation, while contributing to a dialogue that fully recognizes what is at risk should the federal government pursue condemnation in a manner that disrupts state rights, undermines historical land claims, weakens the political trust relationship, and disregards the unresolved history of our unrelinquished sovereignty.

“It’s important these conversations do not occur in silos or in a rigid, linear sequence,” said newly appointed committee member and OHA Interim Administrator, Summer Sylva. “A responsible and comprehensive negotiation footing requires the widest possible range of subject-matter expertise and perspectives, guided by pragmatic guardrails and a commitment to inclusion. Hawaiʻi is strongest when its leaders confront complex issues together—with transparency, rigor, and aloha ʻāina.”

“The idea that condemnation is inevitable—and that discussions must focus solely on valuation—overlooks the viable paths still available,” Sylva continued. “The current leases do not expire until 2029, and statutory avenues exist for extensions through 2031 with congressional support, and beyond that through state legislation. Exploring all options is not only prudent—it is essential to avoid forcing Hawaiʻi into false choices.”

“At the same time, the committee’s work to assess the valuation of these lands should not alarm those who oppose condemnation,” added Sylva, a Native rights attorney. “Accurate valuation serves multiple pono purposes far beyond preparing for potential legal action. For decades, military leases across the pae ʻāina have been significantly undervalued. Conducting long-overdue due diligence on the true worth of our lands is essential—whether the path forward involves new or renewed leases, non–live-fire training arrangements, or other alternatives to condemnation. Responsible stewardship of trust lands cannot wait for crises, particularly when their very purpose is to be restored to the people from whom they were unlawfully taken.”

“There is meaningful opportunity in this process—if the Governor and the committee approach it with courage, conviction, and a commitment to leading not from fear but from principle,” reaffirmed OHA Board Chair Kahele. “OHA stands ready to contribute in that spirit.” 

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HOUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN CAUCUS MEETS WITH GOVERNOR GREEN TO DISCUSS MILITARY LEASE NEGOTIATIONS

News Release from House of Representatives, Nov 21, 2025

HONOLULU, HI – Members of the Native Hawaiian Caucus of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives met privately with Governor Josh Green on Friday, November 14, to share concerns and perspectives regarding ongoing negotiations over military land leases and potential federal condemnation efforts.

The Caucus expressed appreciation for the Governor’s willingness to meet and discuss these complex issues, while underscoring the urgent need for meaningful and continuous consultation with the Native Hawaiian community as the process moves forward.

Members reaffirmed that formal consultation is not symbolic or optional, but a constitutional and statutory obligation grounded in Articles XI and XII of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution and the laws governing the Public Land Trust. The State has a clear fiduciary responsibility to safeguard these former lands held in trust for Native Hawaiians and the people of Hawaiʻi, particularly amid ongoing federal military lease negotiations and pressure from possible condemnation actions.

The Caucus also noted that recent correspondence between the State and the U.S. Army has sparked widespread community concern. Members reiterated that decisions affecting public and ceded lands should not be driven by federal timelines or threats of condemnation.

Joint Statement from the House Native Hawaiian Caucus:

“Our concern is not only about the lands themselves, but about how decisions are being made. ​​We mahalo the Governor for engaging in dialogue, and we urge him to consider his Advisory Committee as complementary to and not a replacement for meeting his constitutional and statutory consultation requirements — ensuring that Native Hawaiian voices are included at every stage of decision-making.

Our message is simple: the military cannot dictate the terms of stewardship over Hawaiʻi’s lands. These trust lands belong to the people of Hawaiʻi, and the State has a legal and moral duty to protect them."

The Native Hawaiian Caucus looks forward to continued dialogue with the Governor, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Advisory Committee for Leased Military Lands, and federal representatives. The Caucus remains committed to ensuring that all future decisions honor the State’s fiduciary duties and protect Hawaiʻi’s lands for generations to come.

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About the House Native Hawaiian Caucus

The House Native Hawaiian Caucus is a bipartisan group composed of thirteen State Representatives with Hawaiian ancestry. The caucus is dedicated to representing and advocating for the needs of the Native Hawaiian community, including affordable housing and land use, economic development, and the protection of intellectual property.