US Navy initiates return of nearly 44 acres on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi to state

The U.S. Department of the Navy is initiating the process to return nearly 44 acres of federal property to the state of Hawaiʻi, announced Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green.

The proposed transfers include a 31.7-acre parcel at Kalaeloa on Oʻahu and the Marine Corps’ 12-acre Molokaʻi Training Support Facility at Hoʻolehua.

In a letter to the state, the Department of the Navy committed to completing the environmental, statutory and property disposal requirements necessary to return the lands in accordance with federal law. The Navy also committed to a transparent, collaborative process and open communication with the state.

“This is a meaningful step for Hawaiʻi and reflects what we have heard from communities across the state: When federal lands are no longer needed, they should be returned,” Green said. “I thank the leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps for working with the state and our communities to move these properties toward responsible local stewardship.”

The Kalaeloa parcel includes existing warehouses and support facilities currently used by the state for film and television production. The state Creative Industries Division plans to continue using the property as production infrastructure. Bringing the parcel into state ownership would allow the state to maintain and expand its use for film, television, digital media and creative-industry workforce development.

On Molokaʻi, the administration will work with community stakeholders and the appropriate state agencies to determine the property’s future stewardship and use.

The return and future stewardship of military lands have been recurring themes in community engagement conducted by the state’s Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO), which works to strengthen collaboration among state, military and community partners.

The federal government will retain ownership and control of the properties until all required environmental reviews, due diligence, documentation and approvals have been completed. The state and the Department of the Navy will develop parcel-specific timelines; no final transfer dates have been set.

“This commitment represents real progress, but it is not the finish line,” Green said. “We will work carefully to complete these transfers and with stakeholders’ input, we will determine how the lands can best serve our communities while continuing to support Hawaiʻi’s important role in our national security.

“I encourage every military branch to review its holdings in Hawaiʻi and identify other properties that are no longer essential to its mission that can be returned.”