Protect Haleakalā CoalitionRecap of Q&A at Hanohano ʻO HaleakalāProtect HaleakalāCommunity Hosts “Hanohano ʻo Haleakalā” – An Evening of Education, Testimony, and SolidarityCivil BeatMaui County Again Urges Air Force to Not ContinueProtect Haleakalā CoalitionRecap of Q&A at Hanohano ʻO HaleakalāProtect HaleakalāCommunity Hosts “Hanohano ʻo Haleakalā” – An Evening of Education, Testimony, and SolidarityCivil BeatMaui County Again Urges Air Force to Not Continue

Protect Haleakalā.
Respect Hawaiʻi Law.

We are a community network dedicated to preserving the ecological and cultural heritage of the Haleakalā summit area through State, Federal and County laws and agencies. We're holding the U.S. Air Force accountable.

Watch Livestream
Watch Livestream

Our Community Network

Regardless of what the Air Force Draft Environmental Impact Statement claims, the National Environmental Policy Act process and the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act are the proper legal frameworks for addressing the impacts of the proposed AMOS STAR facility on Haleakalā. We legally challenge the notion that HEPA is not triggered. We will ensure that full due diligence, rigorous cost-benefit analysis, alternative site selection and environmental reports meet a unified definition of community values, expert contribution, county and state standards. We will ensure that a fair and equitable process is delivered for the community, organizations, and the environment. Our keiki are counting on us. When they look back, they will see that we protected Haleakalā and we were good ancestors.

From the Community
View all →
Social post 1
Social post 2
Social post 3
Social post 4
Social post 5
Social post 6
Social post 7
Social post 8
Social post 9
Social post 10
Social post 11
Social post 12
Social post 13
Social post 14
Social post 15

What is AMOS STAR?

The Project

The Project

AMOS STAR is a proposed U.S. Air Force facility on the summit. It involves significant construction and permanent alterations to the sacred landscape.

The Impact

The Impact

The Air Force acknowledges 'adverse effects' to Haleakalā as a Traditional Cultural Property, recognizing its profound spiritual significance.

The Legal Problem

The Legal Problem

Despite these harms, the Air Force has failed to conduct a genuine alternatives analysis as required by federal law, NEPA and Section 106.

The Issues
Issue 001

East Maui Watershed Protection

Environmental // EVIDENCE
East Maui Watershed Protection

The summit of Haleakalā sits directly above the East Maui watershed, which provides two-thirds of the island's drinking water. Any industrial expansion at the summit poses a direct threat to the source of life for Maui's residents.

  • Watershed Vulnerability: Direct path to island aquifers.
  • Vital Resource: Source of 2/3 of Maui's potable water.
  • Industrial Impact: Concerns regarding runoff and ecosystem health.
Issue 002

2023 Diesel Spill: Failure of Oversight

Contamination // EVIDENCE
2023 Diesel Spill: Failure of Oversight

700+ gallons spilled January 2023. Remediation remains open. Investigations revealed a failure of preventative maintenance and a lack of proper leak detection equipment.

  • Maintenance Failure: Not a 'lightning strike' as initially claimed.
  • Lack of Disclosure: History of undisclosed spills at the same site.
  • Open Remediation: 3+ years and the case is still not closed.
Issue 003

Sacred Land & Cultural Identity

Cultural // EVIDENCE
Sacred Land & Cultural Identity

Haleakalā is not just a location for telescopes; it is a sacred relative and a site of profound spiritual significance. The Air Force has acknowledged 'adverse effects' to the summit as a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP).

  • Desecration of Wao Akua: The realm of the gods.
  • Blockage of Access: Kupuna and practitioners restricted.
  • Piko Connection: Generational burial sites of umbilical cords.
Issue 004

Legal & Procedural Failures

Legal // EVIDENCE
Legal & Procedural Failures

The federal review process has been criticized for failing to conduct a genuine analysis of alternative sites. Continental locations were dismissed without rigorous comparison, violating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

  • Alternatives Analysis: Lack of 'hard look' at continental sites.
  • Section 106: Inadequate consultation with NHOs.
  • HEPA Avoidance: Strategic project shifts to bypass state review.
Issue 005

Alternative Sites & Systems

Alternatives // EVIDENCE
Alternative Sites & Systems

Five primary alternative locations and systems offer comparable or superior capabilities for space domain awareness without impacting sacred lands.

  • White Sands, NM: Existing DAF infrastructure.
  • Mt. Hopkins & Kitt Peak, AZ: Proven atmospheric quality.
  • Space-Based: Zero atmospheric interference, global coverage.
Issue 006

The HEPA Story

Regulatory // EVIDENCE
The HEPA Story

The Air Force strategically avoided Hawaii's environmental review law (HEPA) through project modification, undermining the community's primary regulatory protection.

  • Strategic modification to avoid state permits.
  • Minimized oversight of a project affecting sacred land.
  • Institutional defiance of state and county authority.
Issue 007

Maui County Council Resolution

Political // EVIDENCE
Maui County Council Resolution

Unanimous 9-0 opposition from the Maui County Council. Mayor's Office and OHA Trustee Hulu Lindsey also on record opposing the project.

  • Resolution 24-103: Formal legislative opposition.
  • Unified community leadership stance.
  • OHA Trustee opposition record.
Issue 008

Section 106 Consultation Gap

Legal // EVIDENCE
Section 106 Consultation Gap

Formal NHO consultation did not begin until January 2026 — after prior communications claimed consulting party views had been gathered.

  • Inaccurate reporting to federal agencies.
  • Strategic delay in meaningful consultation.
  • Violation of Section 106 spirit and law.
Issue 009

Space War & Surveillance

Security // EVIDENCE
Space War & Surveillance

Proposed AMOS STAR facility reflects global space-domain warfare. Testifiers raised concerns about Haleakalā becoming a strategic military target.

  • Space Domain Awareness: Military focus.
  • Increased risk of Maui as a strategic target.
  • Surveillance economy overriding community values.
Issue 010

The Decades of Defiance

Historical // EVIDENCE
The Decades of Defiance

A chronological record of contamination, arrests, and community resistance from the 1980s to the present.

  • 1980s-2015: Three major undisclosed diesel and coolant spills.
  • 2023: 700-gallon spill revealed maintenance failures.
  • 2024: Maui County Council votes 9-0 against AMOS STAR.
  • 2026: 80+ testifiers unify in opposition at public hearings.

Latest News & Releases

Recap of Q&A at Hanohano ʻO Haleakalā

Protect Haleakalā Coalition

|

March 12, 2026

Recap of Q&A at Hanohano ʻO Haleakalā

Read article →
Community Hosts “Hanohano ʻo Haleakalā” – An Evening of Education, Testimony, and Solidarity

Protect Haleakalā

|

March 11, 2026

Community Hosts “Hanohano ʻo Haleakalā” – An Evening of Education, Testimony, and Solidarity

Read article →
Maui County Again Urges Air Force to Not Continue

Civil Beat

|

March 10, 2026

Maui County Again Urges Air Force to Not Continue

Read article →

The Legal Concerns

Our analysis shows that there is a strong case for continued use of Hawaiʻi Environmental Protect Act (HEPA) to parts of the project, and proper engagement with federal environmental and historic preservation laws. We are holding the Air Force accountable to these standards.

AirForce Must Comply With Hawai'i Law

We call on the U.S. Air Force to comply with both Hawai'i state law (HEPA)and federal law before proceeding with any construction on the summit.

Take Action & Testify
01Genuine Alternatives Analysis
02Proof of Infeasibility
03Meaningful Section 106 Consultation
04Supplemental EIS

Follow Us

Follow our progress and receive legal updates, community news, and action alerts directly in your inbox.

About Our Network

We are a collective of publicly recognized Hawaiian cultural practitioners, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi experts, business owners, environmentalists, and community leaders working together to protect the summit of Haleakalā.

Kākoʻo Haleakalā

Kākoʻo Haleakalā

@kakoo_haleakala

Kilakila Haleakalā

Kilakila Haleakalā

www.kilakilahaleakala.org

Hoʻoulu Lāhui

Hoʻoulu Lāhui

@hooululahui