Military Relocating to Hawaii rotate in and out of Oahu year round and they surely play a big part in many of our communities. The military & veterans make up about 10% of our population in Hawaii (add in: with 3.5% active duty) and following is some interesting info on military land use on the Waianae Side of Oahu.
The Military Land Use in Waianae:
Lualualei Valley: Navy owned land consisting of 14.4 sq. miles and has 255 above ground storage capable of storing 78,000 tons of ammunition. Kolekole Pass (closed to the public) extends from the Waianae Coast to Schofield Barracks going up and over the Waianae Mountains. The public has to drive around the range to get to other areas of the island.
Makua Valley: US Army uses about 6.5 sq. miles for live fire training programs since World War II. The leased land of 1.2 sq. miles from the state is up in 2029 and the ceded land of 5 sq. miles is also leased from the state. The entire training area extends from the Waianae Ridge Line to Kaena Point (partial view in picture above). After a lawsuit was brought against the military they now allow the Hawaiian people to travel through the area due to the cultural and historical heiaus found in the area. Because of the concern over the preservation of the natural and cultural resources in the valley the Army is now taking measures to develop an ecosystem management plan.
Brief history of ‘ceded lands'.
- The Republic of Hawaii overthrew the Kingdom of Hawaii (assisted by the United States Military) and the Republic took control of the Kingdom's government lands and the Monarchy's crown lands, combining those two categories of land into the "public lands." in 1893.
- The United States annexed Hawaii, and the Republic of Hawaii "ceded" the public lands (formerly government and crown lands) to the United States.
- 1959- The State of Hawaii becomes trustee for 1.4 million acres when Hawaii is admitted into the union as a state.
- 1978- The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was created by way of voters and funded with a share of some of the money that came from the use of ceded lands.
- 1980- The share was set at 20% by the State Legislature.
As of January 31, 2008- The Supreme Court ruled that the state is not allowed to sell or transfer the Hawaiian Monarchy lands (known as ceded lands) until the Native Hawaiian claims for the land have been resolved.
Kaena Satellite Space Station is the Air Force Space Station on the West Coast of Oahu and is a remote tracking station for tracking satellites in orbit. This tracking station opened in 1959 for a satellite program (called Corona) and they say that the presence of the satellite may have sped up the statehood of Hawaii. Hmmm.
The ‘randomes' atop the 1500 foot ridge are radar domes that are big weatherproof enclosures to protect the antenna inside. At first sight it looked to us to be a big golf ball. The picture to the right shows this big randome sitting on the ridge with a background of beautiful blue Hawaiian sky.
At the base of the ridge is the Yokohama Bay State Parkand a hiking trail around Kaena Point to the north side of the ridge to the Mokuleiea Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.
On the Kaena Point Satellite Station grounds there are many hunting trails and Peacock Flats camping site that is inland about 10 miles and of course you need a permits to hunt, hike or camp on the station.
Obtain Permits at: The Department of Land and Natural Resources in downtown Honolulu. Address is Kalanimoku Bldg., 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 325, Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 587-0400
To sum up this story on Military Land Use: It is this writers opinion that the military play a big part in protecting our Hawaiian Islands out here in the Pacific Ocean and their presence is a great comfort to many. The military does understand the importance of the preservation and conservation of our land and taking precautions to care for the land while they are using it. We can work together to protect and serve as well as preserve and conserve.
Other stories of interest:
- The Legend of Makua Cave: Northwest Coast of Oahu, Hawaii
- Preservation of Hawaiian Culture, Land and History
- HAWAIIAN LEGENDS: Kaena Point, Waimea Valley, and Two Heiau's
- Waimea Valley: History Uncovered, Preserved and Protected
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
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