Experience PTA Day connects Hawaii Island community with Army mission
POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii — Hawaii Island residents got a firsthand look at the people, programs and partnerships behind Pohakuloa Training Area during Experience PTA Day, an open house held Sept. 17.
The annual event welcomed community members from across the island to learn about military readiness, explore federal and civilian career opportunities and meet the personnel who support the installation’s mission. Attendees also had the opportunity to discover how PTA’s natural and cultural resource programs safeguard the land and native species while supporting vital military training.
“This event is for you, and we want you to ask questions, touch and feel the equipment, and learn about the many different aspects of PTA, including those that interface with the local community,” said Lt. Col. Paul Park, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area.
Park noted that more than 200 visitors attended the open house under clear skies to engage directly with service members and garrison staff.
During the event, natural and cultural resource personnel shared details about ongoing conservation efforts across tens of thousands of acres. These initiatives will soon operate under a new intergovernmental support agreement with local partners. For decades, subject-matter experts from Colorado State University and the University of Hawaii have supported the garrison’s cultural and environmental stewardship missions.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, presented a mortar system display, giving visitors a closer look at the weapon systems utilized during field exercises. Aviation personnel also participated, showcasing flight operations and the diverse units that routinely train at the high-elevation installation.
Demonstrations by the PTA Fire Department were a highlight for younger visitors, including a live demonstration of a high-capacity water cannon capable of discharging up to 3,000 gallons per minute.
“I really enjoyed the firefighters and their water cannon,” said one student after testing out a fire hose alongside emergency responders.
In addition to base demonstrations, the event featured booths and displays hosted by military recruiting services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Geological Survey, Kilauea Military Camp at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Team Rubicon Waikoloa.
Visitors included students and faculty from Hilo High School, Connections Public Charter School and Waiakea High School, as well as representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Emergency services personnel also highlighted the installation’s vital mutual aid and regional safety role, including emergency medical responses along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and collaborative wildland firefighting efforts with the Hawaii County Fire Department.
For community members familiar with PTA primarily through live-fire training exercises, Experience PTA Day offered a comprehensive look at the dedicated civilian and military personnel who sustain the garrison while balancing defense readiness with responsible stewardship.
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