Gov. Josh Green (D-Hawaii) recently warned that the federal government could “use nuclear options” and “seize land” after the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected the U.S. Army’s final environmental impact statement for its lease at Pohakuloa, which the Army uses for live-fire training.
According to Hawaii New Now, the state’s rejection of the Army’s environmental impact statement does not mean that the Army’s attempt to secure a new lease is officially ended. The outlet noted that the Army’s 23,000-acre lease in Hawaii currently has four years until it expires.
Hawaii News Now reported that Col. Rachel Sullivan, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii commander, explained on Friday that the Army will take 30 days to consider the next steps, including an appeal of the state land board’s decision.
“We are aware of that option,” Sullivan said. “We’re aware of other options as well, continuing to work as we go forward with the state, with the board, and with the population.”
While Green told Hawaii News Now on Monday that the Army appears willing to continue negotiations regarding a new lease for military training, the Democrat governor warned that the federal government could attempt to “seize land.”
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“Now we have to be aware that the federal government could use nuclear options on us and actually seize land,” Green told Hawaii News Now. “And so, we’re going to always try to avoid that. I don’t think anybody wants that.”
Following Friday’s decision by the state board, Hawaii’s congressional delegation released a statement, saying, “From the beginning of this important process, we have encouraged the collaboration and dialogue that is required between our state, military, and community. While we acknowledge the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ decision on this aspect of the issue, we believe there can be a path forward that accounts for the critical importance of Hawaii’s role in our country’s national security strategy and fundamentally respects and responds to the needs of the people of Hawaii.”
Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), who represents the district that encompasses the U.S. military’s active training locations in Hawaii, told Hawaii News Now that the state will need to accept a deal that includes live-fire training.
Regarding the potential for the federal government to seize land in Hawaii, Tokuda said, “Everyone that I’ve talked to in the military, we’ve been having a lot of conversations about these negotiations. No one has ever brought up just seizing the property, any kind of eminent domain conversation. Everyone right now is 110% committed to negotiating and finding a path forward.”
