Army Closes Training Ranges at Makua Military Reservation, Seeks Lease Termination on islands of O`ahu and Hawai`i
News Release from US Army, Nov 6, 2026
FORT SHAFTER, Hawai’i — The U.S. Army announces the closure of training ranges at Makua Military Reservation (MMR), effective October 1, 2026.
In 2023, the Army committed to permanently banning live-fire training at MMR, which ceased in 2004. The Army will retain use of the airspace above Makua. Cultural access to the area will continue for Malama Makua without interruption. Wildland fire suppression maintenance and security activities will also continue.
In 2025, the Army committed to not pursuing any land interest on state-leased lands (782 acres) through the land retention process. The Army has further decided that military ground training occurring on adjacent federally-managed lands (3,406 acres) can be shifted to other ranges on Oahu.
The Army is reducing the lease-hold footprint on Oahu by 19,500 acres, including 5,900 acres of state-leased lands. To that end, the Army notified and requested that the Department of Land and Natural Resources initiate the lease close-out process for: 4,390 acres at Poamoho, 782 acres at Makua Military Reservation, and 700 acres at Kahuku Training Area.
Additional parcel returns for community benefits are under consideration as part of the land retention process.
-end-
|