Urgent Warning: Pohakuloa Wildfires Could Trigger New Tragedy

UPDATE: A new environmental impact statement (EIS) reveals alarming data about the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in Hawaii, highlighting a stark increase in wildfire incidents that could pose a significant threat to surrounding communities. Since 1975, over 1,260 wildfires have ignited at PTA, with the actual figure likely higher due to incomplete records prior to 2012.

The EIS warns that, as climate change intensifies, the frequency of wildfires in this area is expected to rise sharply. Just one year before the devastating Lahaina fire, a wildfire at PTA scorched tens of thousands of acres, including more than 12,000 acres off the base, raising urgent concerns about safety and environmental impacts.

Local activist Jim Albertini, President of Malu ‘Aina, has issued a dire call to action, urging authorities to shut down PTA immediately. “Is PTA a Lahaina in the making?” he questioned, calling for the cleanup of unexploded ordnance and toxic waste, and the return of the land to the local community.

Pohakuloa is currently zoned as a state conservation district, raising questions about the compatibility of military operations with environmental protection. Officials are now faced with the critical decision of balancing military training needs against the increasing threat of wildfires.

This situation is developing rapidly, and the implications for both the environment and local communities could be dire. Residents and environmental advocates are watching closely to see how officials respond to these alarming findings.

As the climate crisis escalates, the urgency to address the issues at Pohakuloa could not be more pressing. Will the community’s voice be heard before another tragedy strikes? Keep an eye on this unfolding story as it develops.

For additional updates and to express your views on this critical issue, contact the Honolulu Star-Advertiser or submit a letter to the editor.