Honolulu, Hawaii – As part of his federal mission in Hawaii on behalf of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio met with Major General Mark Hashimoto and military planners of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) to discuss military land use and the growing demands expected with the Pacific Deterrence Initiative as an Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States. Lt. Governor Tenorio and Hashimoto reviewed the Hawai’i Military Land Use Master Plan, which describes Department of Defense current and future desired land use for the next 25 years in Hawai’i’. Lt. Governor Tenorio agreed that a similar document concerning the present military holdings on Guam would be beneficial to the people of Guam and requested that the Indo-Pacific Command develop a similar Land Use Plan for Guam.
“Our lands, just like the security of our people, are sacred. A comprehensive military land use plan for Guam is very critical, given the rapidly changing security environment of our region and the need to ensure that the Department of Defense establishes clear principles and priorities for land use amidst the growing demands for land by various elements of the Department of Defense,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “A Comprehensive Military Land Use Plan for Guam must take into account not just the highest and best use of properties, but respect for Guam’s land, culture, and people. It will also inform surrounding private property owners and the government of Guam in future land use decisions outside the fence.”
INDOPACOM has started working on its plan for the Guam Military Land Use Plan plan and has identified Joint Region Marianas as the lead DoD organization.
###