Open Letter to Hawaii’s Governor and to Members of the US Congressional Delegation on Land Military Leases

TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 24 Nov 2025

Jim Albertini | Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action – TRANSCEND Media Service

17 Nov 2025 – The reason why Aloha is the most precious commodity in the world is because it cannot be bought or sold. The true meaning of Aloha is unspoken—it must be embodied, invoked, and lived. For Aloha to exist, we must speak the truth. And this truth is meant to heal. We invoke it now.

We were deeply disappointed to read your recent interview in Civil Beat where you discussed military land leases, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), and other crucial matters affecting our lands and people.

Governor Green, it is hard to imagine that, in 2025, you still believe you have the authority—or the consent—to speak for the Hawaiian people on actions we have already made clear we reject.

Just recently hundreds came out to the Army community hearings on the leases saying ‘a’ole (NO) and thousands submitted testimony rejecting the Final EIS of the US Army in 2025 at the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) hearing. The BLNR staff also rejected it.

Native Hawaiians are indispensable parties to any decision regarding the disposition of our land. Our agreement and consent are required, as affirmed in the Admissions Act, which states in relevant part: “All the land in Hawai‘i shall be held in trust for the betterment of the conditions of the Native Hawaiians.” This is not negotiable.

In light of the extreme challenges the Trump Administration pose to American democracy, one would think that local politicians like you would seek allies who strive to protect the people of Hawai‘i—leaders who will raise the standard of Aloha. Instead, you have chosen to use this moment to fortify and deepen American occupation of Hawai‘i and the suppression of the Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) in their own homeland.

You would think the cruelty of the Trump Administration might offer a lesson in oppression, yet here in Hawai‘i, we continue to face a lack of true freedom.

Many Hawaiians have joined the fight against authoritarianism and the abuse of our constitutional rights and protections. Yet, the ideals of justice and freedom appear to fail when it comes to Hawai‘i and our people—once again underscored by your recent statements.

Here are just a few examples of why we cannot accept the path you are leading us down:

1. Sacred Burial Grounds: Across every island, from Hawai‘i to Papahānaumokuākea, our ‘Iwi Kūpuna (ancestral remains) are threatened by endless proposals for desecration and development. Who could ever think it is acceptable to destroy burial grounds, no matter who they belong to?
2. Military and Astronomical Leases: For nearly 65 years, military and astronomical leases have been destroying and desecrating our sacred lands, such as at Pohakualoa and Mauna Kea. These lands were leased for just $1. Why would anyone agree to allow new leases with such poor stewardship of our lands? Furthermore, the Supreme Court has ordered that the lands at Pohakualoa be cleaned up and returned to us in a usable state. We’ve already said no. And no means no.
3. Mauna Kea and the TMT: There is no Native Hawaiian consent, no real funding partnerships, and no funding for the TMT. You propose to build it on an existing footprint, but there is no observatory footprint large enough to accommodate it. Perhaps if all the existing observatories were dismantled and the summit leveled, but there is simply not enough time left on the lease to do anything other than clean up, as required by law. We’ve said no to the TMT. That should be the end of it.
4. Ocean and Sacred Ocean Realms: Our oceans and sacred ocean realms are under attack by extractive industries, including deep-sea mining, the aquarium pet trade, and industrial longline fisheries. Native Hawaiians and many scientists have fought for maximum protections, from nearshore waters to the deep sea, including sacred areas like Papahānaumokuākea. Yet our politicians have not upheld the law nor stood for the protection of our land and ocean spaces. These areas are our sources of life—not resources for profit extraction.
5. The Kamehameha Schools Challenge: How can a foreigner challenge the last will and testament of our Ali‘i, which was written under Kingdom Law, not American law? We all know about the overthrow, don’t we?

In conclusion, Governor Green and members of our Congressional Delegation, Hawai‘i is unique in many ways. One of those ways is through the Aloha Spirit Law (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, section 5-7.5) composed by the late beloved Aunty Pilahi Paki which encourages all to invoke the spirit of Aloha in decision-making when needed. We invite you to invoke that law now, and truly live by its teachings.

It is time for us to come together—Kanaka Maoli and all those who stand for the land, the sea, and the people of Hawai‘i—to protect what is rightfully ours. We must rise in unity, for ourselves, for the land, and for the generations to come. The world needs more Aloha, and Hawai‘i has always been the source.

In Aloha we remain,

Kealoha Pisciotta, Paul K. Neves and Aunty Maxine Kahaulelio

Please call and let the Governor and our Delegation know:

No Means No!

Gov. Josh Green: (808) 586-0034 Sen. Mazie Hirono: (202) 224-6361 Sen. Brian Schatz: (202) 224-3934 Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-2): (808) 746-6220 Rep. Ed Case (HI-1): (808) 650-6688 (Honolulu) / (202) 225-2726 (D.C.)

Note: Can print the above letter out and add your name and email to them all also and please send out to your networks to do the same—because enough is enough!

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Jim Albertini is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace, Development and Environment, a former Catholic School teacher, and long-time social justice activist since the US war on Vietnam. He has done research on the use of depleted uranium at Pohakuloa Military Training Area and is the author of “The Dark Side of Paradise: Hawai’i in a Nuclear World.” Jim is the founder and director of Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action, a spiritual community based on peace, justice and sustainable organic farming on Big Island, Hawai’i – P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawai’i 96760. Phone (+ 808) 966-7622 Email: ja@malu-aina.org – website: malu-aina.org

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