Hawaii and the U.S. Army agreed on principles to guide future military land use, aiming to return land, clean up hazards, and finalize a deal by year-end.

The State of Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Army signed a non-binding statement of principles on September 29, 2025, to guide ongoing talks about military use of state-owned land, including the Pōhakuloa Training Area and sites on Oʻahu, as leases expire by 2029. The agreement establishes a framework for dialogue focused on returning some land to the state, cleaning up unexploded ordnance, improving environmental stewardship, and securing federal support for housing and infrastructure. Both parties aim to finalize a formal memorandum of understanding by year’s end. The Army seeks to retain about 19,700 acres at Pōhakuloa while returning nearly 3,300 acres, following the state’s rejection of the Army’s final environmental review. Public input is encouraged via Engage.Hawaiʻi.gov, and the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources holds final authority over lease renewals.