The U.S. military’s expansion in the Pacific, particularly in Hawaiʻi is driven by a forward, offensive strike posture aimed at deterring China. However, this strategy comes with significant environmental and economic consequences that are often overlooked.
The proposed $1.6 trillion Pentagon budget for the next fiscal year, a post-World War II record, includes a $600 billion increase. This massive spending is justified by the perceived threat from China, making Hawaiʻi a central player in the U.S. Indo-Pacific military strategy.
The Environmental and Economic Impact on Hawaiʻi
The Institute for Policy Studies’ report, “The True Cost of the U.S. Military in Hawaiʻi,” highlights the detrimental effects of military activities on the islands. The Pentagon’s actions have led to environmental degradation including contamination of soil, groundwater, and nearshore waters due to the use of PFAS (forever chemicals). The remediation costs for just three installations are estimated at nearly $500 million.
The report also reveals that the Pentagon has overstated the military’s supposed $10 billion annual economic benefit to Hawaiʻi by nearly 30%. Moreover, the federal government owes Hawaiʻi up to $133.7 billion in back rent. Military spending creates fewer jobs compared to investments in education, healthcare, and housing, making the current approach unsustainable.
The Broader Pacific Strategy and Its Consequences
The U.S. military’s strategy in the Pacific extends beyond Hawaiʻi, encompassing facilities from Guam to the Philippines and Australia. This expansion is part of a broader effort to maintain global military dominance, with China as the primary focus. However, this approach is fraught with risks and has led to significant environmental damage and security concerns.
The U.S. military’s buildup in the Pacific is driven by the belief that China aspires to usurp the U.S. as the global hegemon through military might. This perception fuels the arms race and the massive spending on weapons and technology. However, China’s global influence is largely economic, built on aid and trade initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Path Forward: Demilitarization and Cooperation
A less aggressive, more cooperative posture toward China could help free Hawaiians politically and economically. It would also open the path to a safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous future. The IPS report provides a blueprint for reclaiming Hawaiʻi’s autonomy and addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by the military buildup.
As two military leases of huge swaths of Hawaiian territory are set to expire, there is a unique opportunity to change course. A non-militarized plan for Hawaiʻi’s economy would supply more jobs and be far more sustainable than the current approach. This shift would also allow for a rollback of the extensive U.S. military buildups in the Pacific, reducing environmental damage and security risks.
