Press Releases

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Marine Corps Base Hawaii Wastewater Spill

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – At approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, untreated wastewater, exceeding 1,000 gallons, spilled from a sanitary sewer manhole cover in the vicinity of Lawrence Rd and Waikulu Dr. MCBH has notified the State of Hawaii, Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch of the situation. The spill was caused by a malfunctioning sewage pump and entered the Mokapu Central Drainage Canal via a storm drain. The malfunction has been fixed, the spill is no longer occurring, and the affected grounds and surface streets have been cleaned and disinfected. -30-

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06/06/2024

Marine Corps Completes Environmental Assessment for Modernization of Ground Forces

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - The Marine Corps has completed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for Ground Forces Modernization at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) and prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed action. The EA involved a detailed analysis, extensive consultations with local community and government agencies, and full consideration of public comments. Based on the results of that analysis, the Marine Corps has determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required and has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document. The EA, FONSI, all accompanying documents, and additional information can be found at: https://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/Resources-Services/Pertinent-Information/Ground-Forces-Modernization-EA/ In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Marine Corps consulted with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD), Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHO), interested parties, and the public regarding a determination of adverse effect/no adverse effect to historic properties resulting from the proposed action. As a result of the consultation process, the Marine Corps determined the proposed undertaking would not result in an adverse effect on historic properties. Pursuant to Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Marine Corps conducted informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding potential impacts to ESA-listed species. In January 2024, the Marine Corps prepared a Final Biological Assessment to initiate informal consultation with the USFWS, Pacific Islands Office, under section 7 of the ESA. The USFWS reviewed and concurred with the Marine Corps’ determination that the equipment transition, preferred facilities’ construction component and the preferred training alternative (Alternative 1) would have no effect or may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, ESA-listed species at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, MCTAB, and Puʻuloa Range Training Facility. The EA also summarized findings of impacts to environmental resources such as noise, air quality, water resources, cultural resources, terrestrial biological resources, public health and safety, transportation, and cumulative effects. When considering impacts, it is important to understand that the proposed action involves training with modernized equipment that performs similarly to existing legacy equipment, and takes place on the same ranges, in the same areas, and at a similar tempo. The purpose of the proposed action is to modernize existing Marine Corps ground forces in Hawaii. The proposed action is to modernize equipment, infrastructure, and training for Marine Corps ground forces in Hawaii, enabling them to meet U.S. Marine Corps responsibilities set forth in Title 10 United States Code (USC) Section 8063 in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). The proposed modernized equipment consists of newer versions of existing equipment historically used by Marine Corps ground forces in Hawaii. Significantly, this modernized equipment replaces existing legacy equipment, and is not additive to personnel or use of existing ranges. The type, tempo, and location of training would be similar to the training that occurs now. The importance of this modernization effort to Marine Corps ground forces in Hawaii cannot be overstated. The 2022 National Defense Strategy, the Secretary of Defense 2022 Planning Guidance, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps 2019 Planning Guidance redirected the Marine Corps’ mission, with special emphasis on the Pacific. This shift in mission, along with technological advancements in equipment sets, requires adjustments in how the Marine Corps organizes, trains, and equips its force. As part of this restructuring, Marine Corps ground forces require additional capabilities and equipment to support the Marine Corps’ evolving mission. The types of equipment modernization are the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and Light MADIS (L-MADIS), and the AN/TPS 80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR). The changes are evolutions of existing equipment and combat capabilities that will allow Marine Corps ground forces in Hawaii to operate to the training standards consistent with Stand-in Forces and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concepts. The proposed modernization also includes facilities at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay. The facility construction and equipment modernization portions of the proposed action would be implemented over an 8-year period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 through FY 2031. For information concerning the EA and resulting FONSI, please contact Maj Jordan Fox, MCBH Communication Strategy and Operations, at jordan.fox@usmc.mil. -30-

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03/13/2024

Marine Corps Base Hawaii Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Marine Corps Base Hawaii was recently named the recipient of the 2024 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Award for Natural Resource Conservation and Environmental Quality. Each award highlights the contributions of the Marines, sailors, and civilians that comprise MCBH and their excellence in environmental leadership. MCBH was previously recognized for the same awards in 2022 and 2020 – a testament to the installation’s consistent environmental stewardship.

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02/27/2024

The Additive Advantage: CLC-33 hosts first Additive Manufacturing course

In a rapidly evolving world, innovation and adaptability have become paramount, especially within the United States Marine Corps. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Justin Genovese, the motor transport operations officer for Combat Logistics Company 33 (CLC-33), is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative for his unit: the Additive Manufacturing Course. This visionary program, designed to equip Marines with skills in computer-assisted design, 3D printing, advanced manufacturing, coding, and electronics, marks a significant milestone in CLC-33’s arsenal of problem-solving capabilities.

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02/15/2024

Marine Corps Base Hawaii Completes Soil Sample Collection at Pu’uloa Range Training Facility

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – From Feb. 14-15, 2024, Marines and civilians from Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Environmental Compliance and Protection Division, along with environmental experts from the State Department of Health Office of Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response, and scientists from University of Hawaii and Brigham Young University – Hawaii collected soil samples from across 3,000 feet of the shoreline perimeter of Pu’uloa Range Training Facility. “We’re fortunate to have on-island experts helping us out and providing insight about how to do this right,” said Maj. Jeffry Hart, Director of MCBH’s Environmental Compliance and Protection Division. “Today’s effort, and really the SAP [sampling and analysis plan], were made possible through partnership.” The collection of soil samples are the first step of a robust sampling and analysis plan that focuses on assessing the shoreline perimeter of PRTF for both the presence of munition constituents and potential off-site migration pathways. Over the two-day period, soil samples were collected, cataloged, sifted, and packaged for transport to an Environmental Protection Agency certified, on-island lab for processing and analysis. The execution of the sampling and analysis plan at PRTF is the result of nearly a year’s worth of ongoing communication and collaboration with State elected officials, interagency partners, academia, and feedback from the Ewa Beach community that’s adjacent to the facility. “We want to be good neighbors and we want to protect the environment. It’s a part of our mission, a part of our charter,” said Col. Jeremy Beaven, the commanding officer of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “I recognize the community is also concerned about the potential effects of the range on the environment, so this plan is here and it’s fairly robust. It’s being executed to help us understand our impacts on the environment.” PRTF is the only location in the State where approximately 7,000 Hawaii-based Marines can conduct Annual Rifle Qualification. The facility also enables local and federal law enforcement agencies, and other military personnel from across the Joint Force to conduct small-arms marksmanship training and certification.

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05/25/2023

Marine Corps Base Hawaii Change of Command

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Speros C. Koumparakis relinquished command of Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) to Col. Jeremy W. Beaven during a Change of Command Ceremony, May 25, 2023.

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05/19/2023

MCBH Installation Safety Office Kicks off the 101 Critical Days of Summer with a North Beach Summer Concert

Even for the most experienced swimmers, the ocean is a vast and often dangerous place. Ocean conditions are always unpredictable and can change rapidly without warning. To keep beachgoers safe and capable of enjoying the beautiful beaches on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, the MCBH Installation Safety Office hosted a summer safety concert on North Beach called the “101 Critical Days of Summer North Beach Summer Concert,” Friday, May 12, 2023.

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05/18/2023

Marine Corps Base Hawaii and PaePae O He'eia, Nu'upia Ponds Wildlife Management Area Co-stewardship Event Signing

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) and Peapae o He’eia, a Hawaii Nonprofit Organization, was signed for the co-stewardship of the Nu’upia Ponds Wildlife Management Area (WMA), May 15, 2023.

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05/04/2023

Overnight camping at Bellows suspended for the return of nesting sea turtles

Closure of overnight Bellows camping scheduled from May 16 through Aug. 31, 2023. Weekend, day-use to remain open to public.

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04/28/2023

Public Review and Comment Period Begins for the Draft Environmental Assessment for Construction of a C-40A Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at MCBH

The U.S. Navy has completed the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Construction of a C-40A Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) and is seeking public review and comment on the analysis and conclusions in the draft EA. The public comment period is now open and will continue unit May 28, 2023.

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