THE SENATE S.R. NO. 188 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO NOT APPROVE ANY NEW LAND DISPOSITION OR RENEW ANY LAND DISPOSITION TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY THAT ALLOWS FOR OR FACILITATES ANY MILITARY TRAINING ACTIVITIES ON STATE-OWNED LANDS.
THE SENATE S.R. NO. 188
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
188
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
URGING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO NOT APPROVE ANY NEW LAND DISPOSITION OR RENEW ANY LAND DISPOSITION TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY THAT ALLOWS FOR OR FACILITATES ANY MILITARY TRAINING ACTIVITIES ON STATE-OWNED LANDS.
WHEREAS, article XI, section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution provides that "[f]or the benefit of present and future generations, the State and its political subdivisions shall conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals, and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State. All public natural resources are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people"; and WHEREAS, the principle of malama aina requires the responsible stewardship of Hawaii's public lands and natural resources, ensuring their preservation for current and future generations; and WHEREAS, the United States military's use of public lands has been inconsistent with the principle of malama aina, as evidenced by the environmental and cultural degradation at sites such as Kahoolawe, Waikane, Makua, and Pohakuloa; and WHEREAS, the United States Navy failed to fully clear unexploded ordnance from Kahoolawe, leaving behind significant safety hazards and environmental contamination; and WHEREAS, a federal court determined that the United States Army "failed to use good faith efforts to develop a plan and secure funding for clearing [unexploded ordnance] from the high priority sites that the Army was supposed to identify" pursuant to a settlement agreement related to Makua; and WHEREAS, a state circuit court has found that portions of state land at Pohakuloa are heavily contaminated with materials that pose explosive hazards and significant dangers to public health and welfare; and WHEREAS, the United States military's sixty-five-year leases of certain state lands are nearing expiration, providing an opportunity for these lands to be returned to the people of Hawaii; and WHEREAS, the continued use of state-owned lands for military training activities risks further environmental degradation, cultural harm, and public health hazards; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Board of Land and Natural Resources is urged to not approve any new land disposition or renew any land disposition that allows for or facilitates any United States military training activities on state-owned lands; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: DLNR; United States Military; Leases; Lease Extensions; Prohibitions; Public Lands
WHEREAS, article XI, section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution provides that "[f]or the benefit of present and future generations, the State and its political subdivisions shall conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals, and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State. All public natural resources are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people"; and
WHEREAS, the principle of malama aina requires the responsible stewardship of Hawaii's public lands and natural resources, ensuring their preservation for current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, the United States military's use of public lands has been inconsistent with the principle of malama aina, as evidenced by the environmental and cultural degradation at sites such as Kahoolawe, Waikane, Makua, and Pohakuloa; and
WHEREAS, the United States Navy failed to fully clear unexploded ordnance from Kahoolawe, leaving behind significant safety hazards and environmental contamination; and
WHEREAS, a federal court determined that the United States Army "failed to use good faith efforts to develop a plan and secure funding for clearing [unexploded ordnance] from the high priority sites that the Army was supposed to identify" pursuant to a settlement agreement related to Makua; and
WHEREAS, a state circuit court has found that portions of state land at Pohakuloa are heavily contaminated with materials that pose explosive hazards and significant dangers to public health and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the United States military's sixty-five-year leases of certain state lands are nearing expiration, providing an opportunity for these lands to be returned to the people of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the continued use of state-owned lands for military training activities risks further environmental degradation, cultural harm, and public health hazards; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Board of Land and Natural Resources is urged to not approve any new land disposition or renew any land disposition that allows for or facilitates any United States military training activities on state-owned lands; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.
OFFERED BY: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DLNR; United States Military; Leases; Lease Extensions; Prohibitions; Public Lands