THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	213
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

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, the House of Representatives concurring, 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 Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

DLNR; United States Military; Leases; Lease Extensions; Prohibitions; Public Lands