HONOLULU — The state House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution Friday that creates a working group to address water and air contamination and remediation related to the Puuloa Range Training Facility.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Marine Corps has used the Ewa Beach shooting range for live-fire exercises for more than a century

  • Two years ago, soil samples collected by the Surfrider Foundation from the beach side of the facility were found to contain high levels of lead, raising concern that lead could leach into the ocean, creating a serious risk to marine life in the area

  • Last November, Marine Corps Base Hawaii announced that it would implement a mitigation plan to address upcoming testing for contaminants in the facility shoreline

  • The working group will meet quarterly and provide regular reports to the House and will operate until June 30, 2025

“The concerns voiced by residents regarding potential contamination and impact on marine life show that we need to address the well-being of the Ewa Beach community and act now,” said the House Resolution 18 author Rep. Rose Martinez. “This is a community-led effort and the Puuloa Range Working Group, comprised of stakeholders and volunteers, is committed to addressing these concerns and advancing remediation efforts.”

The U.S. Marine Corps has used the Ewa Beach shooting range for live-fire exercises for more than a century. Two years ago, soil samples collected by the Surfrider Foundation from the beach side of the facility were found to contain high levels of lead, raising concern that lead could leach into the ocean, creating a serious risk to marine life in the area.

Environmentalists are further concerned that dust from lead-contaminated soil can enter the atmosphere and travel into residential areas via air or stormwater.

Last year, Martinez led community activists raising concerns about noise and potential lead contamination from the training facility affecting Puuloa Beach Park. Last November, Marine Corps Base Hawaii announced that it would implement a mitigation plan to address upcoming testing for contaminants in the facility shoreline.

Martinez, who will be part of the working group, said she expects the group to review the MCBH plan and conduct informational briefings on water and air contamination.

Joining Martinez in the working group will be Honolulu City Council member Augie Tulba and community representatives specified within the resolution, including the vice chair of the Ewa Neighborhood Board No. 23; a marine biologist from the University of Hawaii at Manoa; representatives from Kuleana Coral Restoration, the fishing industry and the Marine Corps; as well as other community stakeholders.

The working group will meet quarterly and provide regular reports to the House. It will operate until June 30, 2025.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.