Makua Valley may ultimately benefit from an Army decision on the future of the Stryker brigade in Hawai'i.

The Army and environmental and Native Hawaiian groups have clashed in conflicts between military training — especially live-fire exercises — and cultural practices in this valley.

The potential effects of the brigade on Makua have been cited throughout the simmering legal battle over the permanent Stryker stationing.

But in the record of decision, a recent document filed by the Army and a major step in realizing the brigade here, Army officials show signs that the heat's being turned down.

Lt. Gen. James D. Thurman, deputy chief of staff of the Army, made the final decision on the Stryker brigade stationing, following a revised environmental impact statement. While it's not emblazoned in bold type, the evidence of a change in policy — and a welcome one — is there:

"The EIS states categorically that use of (Makua Military Reservation) is not part of the proposed action," Thurman wrote. "The (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) can be fully trained in all its mission essential tasks without the use of MMR. For purposes of this stationing decision, MMR has been determined to be unavailable for the live fire training" of the Stryker brigade.

Of course, a court injunction barring the live-fire training at Makua is the primary cause of its unavailability. But as it should, Hawai'i's congressional delegation is taking the statement that the valley is not essential to Stryker training as a hopeful signal.

Additionally, elected leaders and community groups should take this opening to press for greater protections and public access in Makua, once the Army releases its separate EIS on plans for the valley this fall.

The Stryker stationing has been the focal point of legal battles, the primary challenge centering on charges that the Army had not sufficiently explored alternative locations.

The plaintiffs in that case still argue that environmental impact of the brigade stationing — a $1.5 billion fast-strike unit with 325 Stryker combat vehicles and 4,000 soldiers — is greater in Hawai'i than in the Alaska or Colorado sites.

But in his written decision,Thurman maintains that the brigade's placement here makes the most sense strategically, with two distinct deployment facilities: Schofield and Pohakuloa. Support facilities for soldiers and families, as well as a better climate, also are cited.

The delegation continues to support the Army's decision. In the various alternatives considered, placement of either a Stryker brigade or another unit seems inevitable, but a Stryker will mean a larger infusion of federal dollars the economy clearly needs.

But elected leaders also have to join the community in holding the Army accountable to the Islands' environmental and cultural sensitivities.

Some progress in clearing unexploded ordnance to enable more public access to Makua has been made in recent months, and that's encouraging. It's another guidepost toward better relations between the Army and some within its host community.