In a letter dated June 8, 2022, and addressed to Commander Kevin Cronin, Senator Kurt Fevella (District 19 – ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, a portion of ‘Ewa Villages) expressed his disappointment to observe only the American flag flown at the entry of the Pohakuloa Training Area. On June 1, the senator, along with a Senate delegation led by Senator Donna Mercado Kim, conducted a site visit to Pohakuloa and Mauna Kea.

While Senator Fevella found the visit educational, he stated, “The absence of the Hawaiian flag struck a chord and caused me to remember all of the past offenses and disrespectful treatment felt by Native Hawaiians.” He specifically asked for a response from Commander Cronin as to why the Hawaiian flag is not prominently displayed in front of this facility, like many other buildings, businesses and schools across the State.

The senator also restated his opposition to the Army’s proposal to retain up to 23,000 acres of State-owned land at the training area and called for the return of these public landtrust at Pohakuloa to the State.

“It is my firm belief the military must now redirect its efforts to cultivate these lands back to its original natural state. It is in the best interest of the Kānaka Maoli, the community and the State of Hawai‘i that these lands are given back to the people to steward,” wrote Senator Fevella.

As of June 14, Senator Fevella has yet to receive a response from Commander Cronin. And while today is Flag Day 2022 commemorating the official American Flag, it is Senator Fevella’s hope that the command personnel will have the flag of Hawai‘i prominently flown at Pohakuloa immediately or before July 31, 2022, the official Flag Day in Hawai‘i nei.