Pro military, and former Parker
Ranch executive, Riley Smith was confirmed again to the
BLNR Board by a narrow vote on the final day of the Hawaii
Legislature, May 8, 2026.
Other very important matters were
up for votes on the final day.
(My senator from Hawaii island
--Joy San Buenaventura was on vacation in Ireland (see photo
below from Sheldon Lehman (Joy's husband's) May 8, 2026
Facebook page. I had just sent her an email on May 4, 2026
concerning Riley Smith (see below).
This important vote on BLNR
member Riley Smith could set the stage for generations to
come on continued Pohakuloa Bombing. On May 9, 2025 Riley
Smith of Hawaii Island voted to accept, not reject, the
military's final EIS on Pohakuloa. 1500 people sent in
testimony opposing the military EIS and 140 testified in
person that day with only a six day public notice.
Fortunately the BLNR voted to reject the final EIS but the
issue may come up again. There is big pressure from Gov.
Josh Green and Hawaii's Congressional delegates for a $10
BILLION CASH DEAL.
"I got my Guinness in Ireland today, now on to Amsterdam!" Facebook post of Sheldon Lehman, May 8, 2026 the final day of the 2026 State Legislature,
pictured with his wide, Senator Joy San Buenaventura, both in Ireland.
Thank you so much, Jim!!! Iʻm about to send an
email follow up on the vote today -unfortunately,we lost by 3
votes - including Chris Leeʻs, who voted yes (????).
Senator
San Buenaventura was absent also. Nonetheless we
definitely sent a message.
Grateful for all that you do!
Wayne
(Wayne Tanaka --Sierra Club
5/4/26
Aloha Joy,
Please vote NO on Riley Smith to the BLNR
again. He is clearly pro-military biased. He was
involved as a Parker Ranch employee with the sale of
Parker Ranch land to the military for Pohakuloa back in
the early 2000s. He should have recused himself from
the May 9, 2025 vote on the military EIS on Pohakuloa
because of this. Surely we can find someone from Hawaii
Island better who has a real concern for aloha 'aina.
Mahlo for your consideration.
Jim Albertini
President of Malu 'Aina
--
Jim Albertini Malu 'Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola'a (Kurtistown) Hawai'i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email j...@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
