Expect increased military traffic to Pōhakuloa Training Area starting Oct. 7

Tropic Lightning Soldiers from across the 25th Infantry Division will participate in a large-scale training exercise called Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 23-01 that runs Oct. 31 through Nov. 9 on the Big Island and Oʻahu.

This training exercise is a regional combat training center rotation that will build combat readiness in America’s Pacific Division and is a key way that Army forces engage in a joint environment with regional allies and partners

Training will include use of blank ammunition and explosive simulators during daytime and nighttime hours at Pōhakuloa Training Area, which is located on the Big Island in the high plateau between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Hualālai volcanic mountains.

There will be increased military traffic before the exercise, starting on Oct. 7, from the Kawaihae Harbor along Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, Waikoloa Road and Daniel K. Inouye Highway.

After the exercise, there will be increased military traffic from Nov. 19 to Dec. 4, along the same route.

In addition to an increase in traffic, residents can expect an increase in helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems flights. The increase in aircraft activity will take place Oct. 28 to 30 at Bradshaw Army Airfield on the Big Island and Wheeler Army Airfield on Oʻahu.

To report concerns related to noise or training, community members can call the US Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Community Relations office at 808-656-3487 or email usag.hawaii.comrel@army.mil. The community relations office responds to all reported concerns during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.