The Army may also use the tactical vehicle wash facility, complete construction of the Urban Assault Course, and proceed with construction of the motor pool, the judge ruled.

In his ruling, Ezra said "The public interest lies on both sides of this dispute. On the one hand, the public clearly has an overriding interest in protecting its soldiers from injury and death with state-of-the-art equipment and training without any further delay."

Ezra also said, however, that this court "has profound respect for the cultural history of Hawai`i and its unique environmental resources."

However, "in this court's view, there are few things that are more important than the lives of those men and women who serve in the armed forces."

The Army demonstrated that continuing to complete Stryker brigade training without delay will save the lives of the soldiers who are serving in Iraq or will be doing so soon, the judge said.

Ezra is requiring the Army to take extra steps to protect the environment such as putting in filters and other buffers at its vehicle motor pool, and provide periodic progress reports on the environmental impact. Another requirement is to build storm-drainage measures along roads at the east range in Kahuku.