BLNR Rejects U.S. Army’s FEIS Required to Renew Lease for Continued Bombing of Pōhakuloa
On Friday, May 9th, in a powerful defense of Hawai‘i’s environment, cultural heritage, Hawaiian rights and public lands, the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to reject the U.S. Army’s final environmental impact statement for its proposed “retention” of up to 22,750 acres of state-owned land it currently leases at Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawai‘i Island. The area is a U.S. military training base located in the high plateau between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Hualālai. It spans more than 132,000 acres, making it the largest U.S. Department of Defense installation in the islands. The board’s rejection effectively ...
Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of SB2502
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation strongly OPPOSES SB2502, which would allow the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority to lease lands under its control— including “ceded” lands — for 99 years at a time, effectively transferring these lands out of the public trust. Read NHLC’s public testimony here: NHLC Opposes SB2502 Read SB2502 here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/SB2502_.HTM
Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of HB1750
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation strongly OPPOSES HB1750, which would circumvent environmental regulations critical to protecting natural and cultural resources located on state public trust and “ceded” lands. Read NHLC’s public testimony here: NHLC Opposes HB1750 Read HB1750 here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/HB1750_.HTM
Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of SB2078
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation OPPOSES SB2078, which adds the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (“HTA”) president and chief executive officer as an ex officio member of the Board of Land and Natural Resources (“BLNR”) and Land Use Commission (“LUC”). Read NHLC’s public testimony here: NHLC Opposes SB2078 Read SB2078 here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/SB2078_.HTM
Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of SB2251
The Senate Housing Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow, Tuesday February 1 at 1:30pm on SB2251, which would encourage the long term development and leasing of "ceded" lands for any housing, including market and above market rate units. Using public trust lands for this purpose fails to advance the interests of Native Hawaiians or the general public, as required by Section 5(f) of the Admission Act. Read NHLC’s public testimony here: NHLC Opposes SB2251 Read SB2251 here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/SB2251_.htm
