MILILANI, Hawaii - The U.S. Army received an award from the Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu Neighborhood Board No. 25, for its financial contribution to protecting Hawaii's aina, or land, Jan. 16.
U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii accepted the award on behalf of the Army's Compatible Use Buffer program that has resulted in the preservation of Waimea Valley, Moanalua Valley and Pupukea-Paumalu.
"Neighborhood boards give awards to people who do significant things for our community," said Ann Freed, member, Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu Neighborhood Board No. 25. "This is the best act of Army philanthropy I have seen yet."
Through the ACUB program, the Army contributed significantly to the purchase and preservation of these natural areas.
The Army's most recent partnership with the Trust for Public Lands, and other conservation partners, resulted in the permanent protection of the Honouliuli Preserve, a 3,592-acre forest on the eastern slope of the Waianae Mountains, and also home to 35 threatened and endangered species, according to Freed.
"The Army helped us purchase Waimea Valley," she sad. "Without the Army's help, it would have been developed into luxury homes, and we don't need anymore of those in Hawaii. We need to protect our open spaces."
The Army's contribution was more than $2.6 million toward the total $4.3 million purchase price of the preserve. A-"A?
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