Gov. Green Reveals New Strategy for Hawaii Army Land Lease Agreements

Gov. Josh Green plans to continue working with the U.S. Army to renew expiring leases on thousands of acres of land used for training purposes.

Josh Green, the governor of Hawaii, stated that he plans to keep working with the U.S. Army to extend leases on thousands of acres of land used for military training in an effort to return some of the land for state use without running the risk of the federal government acquiring the properties altogether.

The Army has been unable to negotiate Hawaii land lease renewals for training facilities on Oahu and Hawaii Island. As the current lease expires in 2029, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BNLR) voted not to accept the Army’s final environmental impact statement for the custody of the Pohakuloa Training Area, in May.

In June, the BLNR voted to reject the final environmental impact statement for areas of the Kahuku Training Area, Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area, and Makua Military Reservation, totaling around 6,000 acres of state territory. The lease renewals are also due to expire in 2029. To proceed with negotiations, a new FEIS for the sites must be presented and accepted.

Gov. Green said he has been pushing for lands that can be transferred to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, so they can finally give more Native Hawaiian families the opportunity of homeownership. Additionally, he wants the military to invest in renewable energy and safer infrastructure to lower costs for their people. While some may say that they are being too accommodating, this path ensures that Hawaii’s people and values come first, while securing real benefits for their future.

While cultural and environmental conservation groups have increased pressure to not renew the leases and return all military-leased properties to state management, Green expressed hope that mutually beneficial arrangements can be found. Green stated that he is hoping for the restoration of sites such as Makua Valley, the cleanup of contaminated training areas, the protection of water resources, and a pledge to develop thousands of new homes to ease tension on the local housing market.

The Army might lease smaller pieces of land and return the remainder as part of new agreements. The Army has previously suggested leaving the remaining 23,000 acres of the Pohakuloa Training Area to the state while leasing around 19,700 acres.