Primary Sources from UH Mānoa Library's Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection
The Congressional Papers Collection records the thoughts and actions of people like Senator Hiram Fong and Senator Daniel Inouye: elected officials with power and recognition. Whose voices are left out of the archive? And how can we hear what those voices are saying too?
In addition to sources from the Congressional Papers, this set of sources includes an excerpt from the current draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Army’s effort to renew its leases for training lands on Oʻahu, an example testimony from the community group Mālama Mākua submitted as part of the EIS process, and a short interview excerpt recorded with a Mālama Mākua board member that shares a grassroots community perspective. The latter two additions show how community voice might be heard both within institutional documentation and through deliberately seeking it out in person.
News clippings about the return of land, 1961
These newspaper articles saved by Hiram Fong track issues arising over land, including tension between the new State of Hawaii government and the federal government. What are the motivations of the state and federal governments?
Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative, Box 96, Folder 5, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Letter to Frank Damon from Jess Walters, August 29, 1960
This letter to Frank Damon (assistant to Senator Hiram Fong) from Jess Walters (legislative assistant to Hawaiʻi Governor William Quinn) raises concerns about the Navy getting around the land review process.
Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative, Box 96, Folder 9, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Handwritten notes about housing areas under Surplus Property Act, ca. 1960
Hiram Fong’s handwritten notes on housing areas that might be included in the “surplus” lands to be returned. How is housing related to the question of federal vs state land holdings?
Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative, Box 96, Folder 17, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Headline: "State can't sue U.S. for return of lands: but plans to battle for sites," June 8, 1961
Another Honolulu Advertiser newspaper clipping saved by Hiram Fong highlights the struggle between the State and Federal governments.
Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative, Box 96, Folder 18, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Maps of military parcels, February 24, 1960
A map of the Army’s land holdings on Oʻahu in 1960. Extensive military lands deemed necessary to national security were the most significant issue in the federal land question. What was necessary then? What is necessary now? What other needs might that land also be necessary for?
Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative, Box 96, Folder 21, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Letter to President Kennedy from Governor Quinn, February 1, 1961
Governor Quinn went all the way to the top, writing to President John F. Kennedy to advocate for land in Hawaiʻi being returned from the federal government. What are the kinds of arguments he’s making to justify the return of land?
Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative, Box 96, Folder 23, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Real Estate Disposal Report No. 83 (Department of the Army, Chief of Engineers), July 31, 1962
This report is an example of the kind of document for the Army to comply with the review of surplus land. Here, we see a report about surplus parcels at Fort Shafter to be transferred to the state.
Senator Daniel K. Inouye Papers. House records, Box 4, Folder 33, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Letter to Harold Seidman from Governor Quinn, May 7, 1962
The first land parcels were officially transferred to the state in May, 1962. In this letter, Governor Quinn expresses his appreciation that land was finally transferred over three years after the Admission Act was passed in March 1959.
Senator Daniel K. Inouye Papers. House records, Box 4, Folder 33, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Letter to David Bell from Governor Quinn, March 6, 1962
In this letter, Governor Quinn urges the Bureau of the Budget (the federal agency responsible for transferring land deeds in this process) to go ahead and transfer federal lands that had already been designated as surplus. Why does he say it’s important for the land to be transferred without delay?
Senator Daniel K. Inouye Papers. House records, Box 4, Folder 33, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.
Oʻahu Draft EIS summary and table of contents, 2024
The Army is currently in the process of applying for a new lease to retain the lands at Mākua, Poamoho, and Kahuku when the 65-year lease expires in 2029. Part of that process is submitting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed land retention. This summary and table of contents shows what’s included in a draft version of that EIS released for public review and comment in July 2024.
Mālama Mākua testimony (Oʻahu Draft EIS scoping comments), August 31, 2021
This testimony from community organization Mālama Mākua is included in the appendix for the draft EIS released in July 2024. The testimony was submitted during an earlier part of the process (the “scoping process” where the Army takes input on what all should be considered in the possible impacts of the proposal, i.e. the scope of the possible impact). This source is an example of community voice that can sometimes be found in government documents.
Interview with Vince Dodge by Kenji Cataldo (excerpt),
This short clip is from an interview I recorded with Vince Dodge, who is a board member of Mālama Mākua. Uncle Vince describes community members sharing testimony at a public hearing in 2001 saying that the Army should clean up the valley and return it. (Transcript)