PMRF Land-Based Training and Testing EA Project Overview Fact Sheet

 

This is an image of the first page of the PMRF LBT EA fact sheet.

 

 

Ka‘ula Island Fact Sheet

 

This is an image of the cover of the Ka‘ula Island fact sheet.

 

 

Department of the Navy: This is an image of the United States Department of the Navy logo

 

U.S. Pacific Fleet Command: This is an image of the United States Pacific Fleet Command logo.

Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands: This is an image of the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands logo.

 

Ka'ula Island

Ka‘ula Island is an offshore islet approximately 23 miles south of Ni‘ihau. The island provides habitat for many species of seabirds, and Hawaiian monk seals haul out, or rest, on ledges of the island. Over the years, tens of thousands of seabirds have nested on Ka‘ula Island. The island is also culturally and spiritually significant to Native Hawaiians.

Ka'ula Island
click to enlarge

This is an aerial photo of Ka‘ula Island.

Ka‘ula Island has been under U.S. federal jurisdiction since 1924. The Navy has managed and utilized Ka‘ula Island for training activities since 1952. For the past 44 years, only inert (non-explosive) ordnance has been authorized during aviation training activities. Training activities are limited to the southernmost 1,000 feet of the island (yellow shaded area), which represents approximately 8% of its total land area. There has been no change to the historically used impact area in this Proposed Action.

Ka‘ula Island is a critical location for aviation training involving air-to-ground gunnery and the deployment of non-explosive ordnance from the air. The island provides the opportunity for unique, controlled, and secure overwater-to-land training that is not available at other locations in Hawai‘i. Additionally, the island is remote and uninhabited by humans, which means low risk for public safety. 

Through the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) consultation process, the Navy determined the proposed undertaking (land-based training and testing activities) would adversely affect cultural resources on Ka‘ula Island (by impairing visual and atmospheric elements due to debris from inert munitions and limiting Native Hawaiian access), a newly identified traditional cultural place (TCP) which is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In response to public comments received on the Draft EA and the island’s designation as a TCP, the Navy considered eliminating training on Kaʻula Island. The Navy examined the last 13 years of usage data and determined that training on Kaʻula Island is necessary for gunnery and non-explosive bombing exercises, and Ka‘ula Island is the only location within the Hawaiian Islands where overwater-to-land training with non-explosive munitions can currently occur. These training exercises are essential in preparing for maritime conflicts and necessary for Army and Marine Corps aviation units operating in the Indo-Pacific region.

In accordance with the NHPA, the Navy is consulting with Native Hawaiian Organizations and the Hawaiʻi State Historic Preservation Officer to develop a memorandum of agreement that will minimize or mitigate adverse effects on Kaʻula Island. While this consultation is pending, no training will occur on the island unless the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet authorizes it for national defense or national security purposes.

The Navy understands how its activities can impact sensitive environments and wildlife. The Navy conducted vessel and aerial seabird surveys annually at Ka‘ula Island from 2009 through 2019, and continues to conduct aerial surveys biennially. In addition to documenting seabirds, the surveys also record the presence and extent of marine mammals around the island. These efforts allow the Navy to determine if military activities are affecting wildlife and, if so, what the effects are. Navy survey reports are provided to Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management Program officials at the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and are available to the public on the Navy’s Marine Species Monitoring website.

This is a photo of resting Hawaiian monk seals on Ka‘ula Island.