Army closes Hawaii firing ranges on sacred land

The Army has shuttered firing ranges located on culturally significant Hawaiian terrain and is reducing its overall leased acreage on the island. The ranges had not hosted live-fire exercises for more than two decades before the closure, marking a shift in how the military manages training operations in Hawaii amid concerns about cultural preservation and environmental impact.

Soldiers and units based in Hawaii will need to relocate live-fire training to alternative locations or different bases. The change could affect training schedules, unit readiness timelines, and broader military operations across the Hawaiian garrison.