The University of Hawaii signed a new agreement with the Army on Tuesday to expand its environmental support services.
The new Intergovernmental Support Agreement was signed at the Schofield Barracks Seed Lab, where the Army keeps seeds from native plants the service has been working to cultivate and spread across land it controls in the islands. UH scientists and researchers have for years worked closely with the Army on these efforts.
“This partnership underscores the University of Hawai ‘i’s role as a trusted partner in conservation and environmental stewardship, ” said Chad Walton, UH interim vice president for research and innovation, in a media release. “Through this agreement, we can apply UH expertise in environmental science and resource management to support the Army’s mission, while creating new, real-world career and workforce development opportunities in environmental stewardship for our faculty, staff and students.”
Since 1995, UH and the Army have worked together through the Army Natural Resources Program Oahu, a partnership now overseen by the UH System Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures.
Through the program, UH researchers and technicians have conducted research and worked on the control and eradication of invasive plants, rodents, slugs and other pests on Army training land. They’ve also worked on projects to monitor, protect and in some cases restore populations of endangered plants and animals.
In its media release, UH said the new agreement will allow the university and the Army to “grow and expand its collaborative opportunities in improving environmental resilience, while growing conservation workforce capacity and impact. The agreement represents a stronger partnership model between the U.S. Department of Defense and local institutions nationwide, allowing military installations to improve their operations while caring for island resources, supporting regional economies and leveraging academic expertise.”
The new agreement comes as the Army is seeking to fast-track negotiations on land leases for training land that expire in 2029. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll says he hopes to reach a new agreement with the state before the end of the year.
The Army obtained the lands for a mere $1 and has faced intense scrutiny on its environmental impact, especially in areas like Makua Valley and the Pohakuloa Training Area, where it has extensively used live munitions.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources recently rejected the Army’s environmental impact statements on plans to retain lands on Oahu and Hawaii island, citing data gaps and concerns raised by workers at the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
As negotiations move forward, the Army and state have discussed the possibility of land swaps or other strategies. As the Army makes its case, it has sought to highlight environmental and cultural programs and partnerships it’s involved with.
“By tapping into UH’s world-class expertise in environmental science and resource management, we enhance our operational readiness while safeguarding Hawai ‘i’s unique ecosystems for future generations, ” said U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii commander Col. Rachel Sullivan in a statement. “This collaboration not only bolsters the Army’s ability to train and deploy forces under sustainable practices, but it also creates opportunities for workforce development, inspiring students and researchers to become stewards of these islands. Together, we’re demonstrating how we can unite to protect our environment, support our community, and build a stronger Army—right here in Hawai ‘i.”
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