Punahou Sustainability hosted two leading researchers – Neta C. Crawford of the University of St. Andrews and David Vine, retired professor of anthropology at American University – for a timely discussion on “The Role of the U.S. Military in Hawai‘i” on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Vine opened the talk with a global overview of U.S. military bases, noting that the United States maintains installations in more than 80 countries – the largest network in history. He highlighted cases such as the displacement of the Chagossian people during the building of the Diego Garcia base and pointed out that roughly 25% of O‘ahu’s land area is currently occupied by the U.S. military. Vine encouraged students to consider how Hawai‘i’s strategic position, history of colonization and geopolitical importance have shaped this unusually large military footprint.
Crawford focused on the environmental and democratic implications of war. She explained that the U.S. military is the world’s largest institutional emitter of greenhouse gases, producing about 42 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. She also described how wartime decision-making can concentrate power and limit public accountability, raising questions about transparency and the reporting of military emissions.
During the Q&A, students pressed the scholars about military spending, land use and alternative security approaches. Both speakers stressed that policy decisions – including whether to maintain, close or repurpose bases – are ultimately choices that communities and governments can reconsider.
The event offered students a concise but powerful look at the complex forces shaping Hawai‘i’s relationship with the U.S. military.
