Hawaiʻi Rising podcast episodes with Sparky Rodrigues and Lynette Cruz: 

17. Mālama Mākua: Piko of Peace. (April 1, 2022).

A conversation about ʻāina and activism with Lynette Cruz and Sparky Rodrigues, board members of Mālama Mākua. Mālama Mākua is a Kanaka Maoli-led non-profit organization dedicated to bringing about the return of sacred Mākua Valley for culturally appropriate use. They preserve and protect this wahi pana on Oʻahuʻs west side through continuous community access and engagement, establishing constant presence and practice in a place that has been occupied by the U.S. army since World War II.

No Live Fire Training in Mākua Valley (Special Update). (December 1, 2023).

A special update on Mākua Valley with Uncle Sparky Rodrigues and Aunty Lynette Cruz from Mālama Mākua. In a joint statement submitted with Mālama Mākua in federal court, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army stated that they no longer need to conduct live fire training at Mākua "now or in the future." Uncle Sparky and Aunty Lynette share the significance of this new development in the movement for the return and restoration of military-occupied lands in Hawaiʻi.

AJ+. (May 17, 2022). “How the Army Got to Bomb Hawaii for $1.”

A video special from AJ+ covering the Army lease lands in Hawaiʻi, including site visits to Pōhakuloa on Hawaiʻi Island and Mākua on Oʻahu.

Island News. (December 1, 2023). “Military will no longer train in Makua, Army says.”

A news video reporting on the same announcement as the "special update" podcast above.

Mālama Mākua. (May 9, 2022). TikTok with attorney David Henkin

A TikTok video of Earthjustice attorney David Henkin, who represented Mālama Mākua in court in their lawsuit against the Army. He explains why Mākua is not necessary for Army training.

Shikina, Rob. (September 18, 2014). “Hui celebrates Makua Valley’s lack of gunfire.” Honolulu Star Advertiser.

This news article reports on the community celebration commemorating 10 years since the last live fire training in 2004.

Watson, Trisha Kehaulani. (June 14, 2009). “Why We Must Protect Mākua Valley” Honolulu Advertiser.

This short piece by Dr. Trisha Kehaulani Watson (PhD in American Studies) explains the spiritual and cultural importance of Mākua Valley.

Osorio, Jonathan. (2002). Chapter 3: "ʻĀina and Lāhui," Dismembering Lāhui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887, pp. 44-73. UH Press.

This chapter in Jon Osorio's foundational work discusses the relationships among aliʻi, makaʻāinana, and ʻāina and analyzes how relationships with ʻāina were "dismembered" by the introduction of private property, a new land tenure system that disrupted cultural, economic, and political bonds to the ʻāina.

Van Dyke, Jon. (2008). Chapter 5: "The Government Lands," Who Owns the Crown Lands of Hawaiʻi? , pp. 54-58. UH Press.

This whole book is an excellent reference work for understanding the legal status of lands and changes in tenure from the Kingdom period to the present day. The very short chapter 5 explains the category of lands called "government lands," whose revenue was intended to fund the Kingdom government. Mākua was set aside as government land in the Māhele (see the map opposite page 69).