DLNR Leadership Tours U.S. Army Hawaii Conservation, Wildfire, and Cultural Stewardship Programs

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii hosted officials from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for an orientation on the garrison's environmental and cultural stewardship programs Oct. 21.

During the visit, Ryan Kanaka'ole, chair and director of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, along with his deputy director and the state water director, joined garrison leaders for an aerial tour over Mākua Military Reservation, Kahuku Training Area, Dillingham Military Reservation, and Poamoho Training Area. The flight provided state leadership with a comprehensive view of the U.S. Army's ongoing conservation initiatives, land stewardship programs, and training readiness requirements across Oahu.

"Today's visit underscores how closely we work with DLNR and other Hawaii State partners to improve stewardship across our training lands here in Hawaii," said Col. Rick Luce, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.

The orientation on the ground began at the water treatment plant, where visitors learned how the Army manages water resources and provides water to approximately 30,000 Soldiers, family members, and civilian employees.

The delegation also visited the Army Natural Resources Seed Lab at Schofield Barracks. Kapua Kawelo, natural resources manager, outlined the office's responsibilities, including threatened and endangered species management, invasive species control, and seed collection designed to protect and propagate rare native plant materials.

"Our US Army Garrison Hawaii natural resource department works directly to support Soldier readiness through robust and realistic training, while also caring for the 'āina in our surrounding communities-we take seriously that mission both on and off the installation," Luce said.

The group next met with the garrison's wildland fire team. The team suppresses training-related fires in military training areas, protects natural and cultural resources, and performs prescribed burns to manage fuel loads and reduce wildfire risks. The team emphasized its close partnership and active field collaboration with DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), noting that regular joint coordination, shared communication, and mutual-aid response are essential to safeguarding adjacent state forest reserves, watersheds, and neighboring communities.

The visit concluded with a talk story session at the cultural resources office on Schofield Barracks.

"We manage nearly 2,000 archaeological sites across 22 sub installations," said Dave Crowley, cultural resources program manager. "Our mission is to care for and mitigate impacts on these cultural resources while actively training Soldiers and community groups to identify, respect and protect them."