HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Citing “changes in operational requirements,” the Air Force says it now plans to keep a 138-acre training site at Bellows Air Force Station that it had long planned to part with.
There are efforts underway to rid the land of old explosives.
And community members had hoped the land, once cleaned up, could be converted for housing.
The parcel is located on the southeastern portion of Bellows Air Force Station, situated between a residential neighborhood and Waimanalo Bay, and was property the Air Force had planned to relinquish since at least 2021, according to the Hawaii Military Land Use Master Plan. State Rep. Lisa Marten has spent years working to fund a clean-up with the dream Hawaiian homes would one day be built there.
But on Friday, the Air Force confirmed that there had been a change, telling HNN Investigates that the military would in fact be keeping the land and the “change will be reflected in the 2024 Hawaii Military Land Use Master Plan” released later this year. Marten called the news “really disappointing.”
For nearly four years, the state representative has worked closely with Hawaii’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. to secure funding for a clean-up to rid the old Urban Warfare Training site of military explosives with the hope the land would eventually be returned to the state.
“No one mentioned they had a change of heart or why,” said Marten.
HNN Investigates asked about a recent conversation she had with military officials about the land last month. She confirmed a conversation did take place at a restoration advisory board meeting.
“That’s right,” she responded. “And as always I was very transparent about my interest in that land. And nothing. Nothing mentioned. I would love to hear why they changed their mind.”
HNN asked the Air Force to elaborate on why it decided to keep the land.
In a statement, a spokesperson responded:
“The world has changed much since the 2021 Hawaii Military Land Use Master Plan was published and operational requirements for training areas, development, etc. are more important than ever.”
Meanwhile, Marten says the plan for a clean-up on the makai portion of the parcel is still a go.
“I think it’s important to clean it up, no matter who controls it right now,” Marten said.
She said a final design for that clean-up is set to be published in December.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Oahu residents aren’t taking any chances with emergency preparedness ahead of the latest round of severe weather.
City Mill has been working to keep shelves stocked with supplies.
“We’ve been selling a lot of sand and sandbags. We have a product called Quick Dam, and we have sold out at a couple stores. We’re trying to move them around so that everybody has something,” City Mill Merchant Iris Wilhelm-Norseth said.
Tape, batteries and flashlights have also been moving quickly among customers, along with pumps and rain boots.
City Mill and other officials are stressing emergency preparedness as recent storms have shown flooding can happen anywhere at any time.
“The little flash flood in Manoa kind of flipped people out too. That came out of nowhere. So people are very concerned,” she added.
Hawaiian Electric said it is also ready, following emergency preparedness procedures to ensure communities aren’t left without power for prolonged periods.
“It doesn’t take a named storm to really cause significant damage to the public infrastructure, whether it’s roads or other types of infrastructure, or the electrical, grid. We know that these heavy rains and very strong winds can have significant impacts,” HECO spokesperson Darren Pai said.
If the Public Safety Power Shutoff program is implemented, the utility said it would be a coordinated decision with emergency responders in the interest of keeping communities safe.
The Board of Water Supply is also asking customers to store water in case service is interrupted for an extended time.
And for storm supplies that don’t get put to use this time around, officials say not to toss them too quickly.
“This is also a great opportunity for people if they don’t use it to hold on to it because we are going into hurricane season starting in May again,” Wilhelm-Norseth added.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Anyone who’s grown up in the Islands has either given, received or marveled at a piece of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, the highly ornate, hand-engraved bracelets and pendants emblazoned with Hawaiian names or initials in an Old English-style font.
But where did this jewelry and its unique style come from?
Turns out the first Hawaiian bracelet was made in 1862 for the young Lydia Park, who later became Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The bracelet, which is now at ʻIolani Palace on Oʻahu, is inscribed with the words, “Hoomanao Mau,” which translates to “a lasting remembrance.” It was handcrafted by Honolulu-based jeweler Christian Eckart and emulated English Victorian designs popular at the time.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Since then, the Hawaiian bracelet has evolved to include tropical flower designs, raised lettering and scalloped edges. Today—more than a century and a half later—Hawaiian heirloom jewelry is still a symbol of love and friendship.
This story was originally published in our SPRING 2023 Issue. Buy a copy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
Catherine Toth Fox is the former editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine and continues to contribute to the website and print publication.
A 35-year-old man was taken to a hospital in serious condition early this morning after an apparent stabbing on Waterhouse Street in Kalihi, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
At about 2 a.m. today, EMS crews co-responded to the incident and treated the man for multiple injuries, including at least one to his upper body. He was transported to an emergency room for further care.
No other details were immediately available.
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