Navy starts process to return land on Molokai
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The Department of the Navy has begun the process of returning its 12-acre Molokai Training Support Facility at Hoolehua to the state of Hawaii, Gov. Josh Green announced Aug. 13.
The Molokai property is among nearly 44 acres of federal land proposed for transfer to the state. The Navy also plans to return a 31.693-acre parcel at Kalaeloa on Oahu.
The transfers are not final, and the federal government will continue to own and control both properties while environmental reviews, due diligence, documentation and other required approvals are completed.
No transfer dates have been established. The state and Navy are expected to develop separate timelines for the Molokai and Kalaeloa parcels because each property must undergo its own review and disposal process.
In a letter to the state, the Department of the Navy committed to completing the environmental, statutory and property-disposal requirements necessary to return the lands in accordance with federal law, according to the governor's office.
The governor's office said the Navy also pledged to maintain open communication and work collaboratively with the state during the process.
"This is a meaningful step for Hawaii and reflects what we have heard from communities across the state: When federal lands are no longer needed, they should be returned," Green said. "I thank the leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps for working with the state and our communities to move these properties toward responsible local stewardship."
A map shows the location of the 12-acre military property proposed for transfer to the state near Molokai Airport in Hoolehua. Map courtesy MACRO
The proposed transfer does not determine how the Hoolehua property ultimately will be used. The Green administration said it will consult Molokai residents, community stakeholders and appropriate state agencies before deciding which entity should manage the land and what its future use should be.
The return and future stewardship of military lands have been recurring subjects during community engagement conducted by the state Military and Community Relations Office, according to the governor's office.
"This commitment represents real progress, but it is not the finish line," Green said. "We will work carefully to complete these transfers and, with stakeholders' input, we will determine how the lands can best serve our communities while continuing to support Hawaii's important role in our national security."
Green also called on other branches of the military to examine their property holdings in Hawaii and identify land that is no longer required for their missions.
"I encourage every military branch to review its holdings in Hawaii and identify other properties that are no longer essential to its mission that can be returned," he said.
Unlike the Hoolehua property, the proposed Kalaeloa transfer involves land and buildings already being used by the state. The 31.693-acre parcel includes warehouses and support facilities used for film and television production.
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's Creative Industries Division plans to continue using the Kalaeloa property as production infrastructure. State ownership would allow the division to maintain and potentially expand its use for film, television, digital media and creative-industry workforce development, according to the governor's office.
Until the federal requirements are completed, ownership of both parcels will remain with the federal government. Final transfer agreements also will be subject to the required environmental and property reviews and government approvals.