Garrison Commander Engages Community Leaders in First of Three RoundTable Sessions

HONOLULU, Hawai’i — Col. Steven McGunegle, Garrison Commander, launched the first of three community roundtable sessions on April 17, 2024, at Hale Koa Hotel's Waikiki Ballroom, addressing key issues impacting the Area of Operation (AO) South.

The meeting featured a diverse group of leaders including Maj. Andrew Batule, Garrison Commander for AO South; Rep. Elijah Pierick; representatives from Rep. Micah Aiuʻs office and Councilmember Tommy Waters' office; Department of Education Superintendent; members from the U.S. Army Garrison Native Hawaii Advisory Council; and neighborhood board chairs and representatives from Kalihi-Palama and Salt Lake Neighborhood Boards.

Col. McGunegle updated the community on several critical topics affecting the areas around Fort Shafter, Tripler Army Medical Center, and Aliamanu Military Reservation. Discussions centered on Army Training Land Retention, the ongoing Environmental Impact Statement processes, outreach efforts, and the need for a new school at Fort Shafter. He also addressed the preservation of historic Palm Circle and the upcoming road repairs on Kalia Road—a major traffic conduit in Waikiki.

Opening the floor, Col. McGunegle emphasized the importance of tackling difficult issues, encouraging attendees to ask, "hard questions." Rep. Pierick inquired about Kolekole Pass and the housing shortages affecting Oahu, focusing on the percentage of military personnel residing on installations.

Community concerns also included the Dillingham Airfield lease, abandoned vehicles in off-post areas, Salt Lake Waterway mitigation, homelessness among veterans, and land restoration and preservation efforts.

Col. McGunegle highlighted the Garrison’s commitment to environmental stewardship, noting, “We, the Garrison, have a great Environmental Team, which helps restore native plant and animal populations that are endangered. This is important to us because we do believe we should take care of the land that has been entrusted to us for the time being.”

Two more roundtable sessions are scheduled in the coming weeks for the Area of Operation North and Area of Operation Leeward communities, aiming to foster open dialogues and address local concerns.