WAIMEA, Hawaii – Commander Lt. Col. Eric Shwedo recently spoke to the community about the Pohakuloa Training Area, insisting that the facility is not in the midst of an expansion.

This despite a bill recently introduced by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa that would make PTA the “premier training range” in the Pacific. Hanabusa’s Asia-Pacific Region Priority Act would invest in Hawaii’s training ranges, and bring upgrades to Pohakuloa.

Lt. Col. Shwedo made the assurances during a recent Waimea Community Association meeting.

Lt. Col. Eric Shwedo

There is growing unrest towards Pohakuloa from Native Hawaiian and environmental groups, especially now that there is talk of PTA getting a long extension on their land lease with the state.