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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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)