HONOLULU — After years of activism, the U.S. military has officially announced that it will cease live-fire training in Makua Valley on Oahu, a significant victory for Native Hawaiian groups and environmentalists.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth submitted a statement to a federal court in Hawaii, confirming the military’s decision to permanently forgo live-fire training at Makua Military Reservation, as reported by Hawaii News Now.
Although the military has not conducted live-fire training at Makua Valley since 2004, a 2001 settlement has now solidified the end of any future live-fire exercises, effectively removing the threat of such activities, according to a news release by environmental nonprofit Earthjustice.
Representing the local activist group Malama Makua, Earthjustice has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the Army to protect the valley from live-fire training, citing the devastating impact on the native forest habitat and cultural sites.
Makua Valley, spanning nearly 5,000 acres, is home to over 40 endangered and threatened species, as well as numerous sacred and cultural sites, underscoring the significance of the military’s decision to cease live-fire training in the area.
Sparky Rodrigues, a board member of Malama Makua, highlighted the historical context of the military’s presence in Makua Valley, emphasizing the importance of undoing past wrongs and restoring the land for future generations.
The 25-year legal dispute culminated in the Army’s agreement to restore access to cultural sites in the valley as a step towards honoring the National Environmental Policy Act and recognizing the environmental impacts of its actions.
Furthermore, the state’s lease to the Army for its use of Makua Valley is set to expire in 2029, raising hopes for the restoration and preservation of this culturally and environmentally significant area.
