Malu 'Aina

Tax Day is April 15th.  Over half of every federal tax dollar goes to the military and corporations that profit from war.

The proposed US defense budget will cost the U.S. public two billion dollars per day.  The U.S. has been at war over 8 years in Afghanistan, 7 years in Iraq, with the wars expanding into Pakistan, Yemen.  Who’s next?
Meanwhile, counties and states are cutting back on basic services:  Our kids can’t go to school on Fridays, library hours are cut, people are losing jobs, homes are being foreclosed, businesses are closing or barely hanging on.

Let’ look at some hard economic facts: In 1970, CEOs made $25 for every $1 the average worker made.   An in-depth study in 2004 on the explosion of CEO pay revealed that, including stock options and other benefits, CEO pay is now $500 to $1.  The U.S. already had the highest inequality of wealth in the industrialized world prior to the financial crisis — and it’s gotten even worse.  Since the crisis, which has hit the average worker much harder than CEOs, the gap between the top one percent and the remaining 99% of the US population has grown to a record high. The economic top one percent of the population now owns over 70% of all financial assets, an all time record.  The 400 richest Americans have more wealth than 50% of the U.S. population — that’s 155 million Americans combined. 43% of American workers have less than $10k for retirement

2009 was a record-breaking year for Wall Street bonuses, as firms issued $150 billion to their executives, much of that tax payer funded bailouts.  That $150 billion bailout could have paid an annual salary of $30,000 to 5 million people.  However, the real size of the Wall St. bailout is estimated to be $14 trillion. Trillions more, 25% of taxpayer dollars allocated to military spending goes unaccounted for every year, not to mention the billions spent on overcharging and outright fraud. During the War on Terror, the Economic Elite have used our tax money to build a private army that has more soldiers deployed than the US military.  Private contractors regularly get paid three to five times more than soldiers, and have been repeatedly caught overcharging and committing fraud on a massive scale.  Read more  http://www.alternet.org/story/145705/

Had Enough?

Please visit our web site http://www.malu-aina.org to view the flier about the Islandwide roving peace vigil set for Saturday April 10 and Sunday, April 11.  Bring a sign or wave one of ours at a location near you, or at all the stops.  Please help pass the word by forwarding this message to your friends.

Here’s a summary of the roving vigil times and places:
On Saturday, April 10th 9-10AM Bayfront Hilo, 11-12AM Honoka’a (Hwy by Tex’s Drive In),
1-2PM Waimea fronting Foodland, 3-4PM Waikoloa Village by Shopping Center.
On Sunday, April 11th 9-10AM Volcano Hwy 11 Wright Road, 11-12 Na’alehu theater
1-2 Capain Cook across Manago Hotel, 3-4PM Kailua-Kona pier

Stop the Wars!  Fund Human Needs!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.  Phone (808) 966-7622.  Email ja@interpac.net  http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 9, 2010 – 447th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net  www.malu-aina.org

April 2, 2010 Press Release:
Military refuses to participate in moderated balanced public forum on Depleted Uranium radiation contamination on Hawaii Island.
further contact: Jim Albertini 966-7622
Mike Egami Public Affairs Liaison
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
P: 808 656-3152
C: 808 387-8511

“The U.S. Army has refused to participate in a balanced public forum on the issue of ‘Military Depleted Uranium radiation contamination on Hawaii Island,'” said Jim Albertini of Malu Aina.

Albertini invited the Army to give a 1/2 hour presentation followed by a community 1/2 hour presentation led by Dr. Lorrin Pang, MD, then a 1 hour Question & Answer session.  The proposed evening forum was to take place at the University of Hawaii at Hilo April 23rd or 24th and moderated by a UH professor.

The Army’s refusal came in an April 1, 2010 email to Albertini by Mike Egami, Public Affairs Liaison, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.  Egami referred Albertini to the Army’s website http://www.imcom.pac.army.mil/du/index.htm  and said the Army would be doing a DU briefing in May at the Pohakuloa Training Area.

Albertini said, “A balanced public forum in the community is more accessible and much preferred over a military briefing by invitation only at PTA .  It’s clear the Army doesn’t want a level playing field.  It wants to own the ball, play only on its field, with its rules and referees.  It’s an attitude of — the Army’s way or no way. That’s the nature of military occupation.  The public be damned.”

Dr, Lorrin Pang, MD said: “Good scientists don’t claim to know everything.  In fact they become most important when they are willing to admit this.  The toxic effects of DU weaponry involve novel chemistries (DU oxides and nano-toxity), routes of exposure and environmental effects.  Based on this uncertainty the precautionary principle mandates a moratorium to military activities involving DU.  The safety assurances by the military and government agencies are at best based on ignorance or, worse, intentionally misleading. As an example they denied the existence of a Gulf War Syndrome and ignored health effects which might link it to DU. Ignoring the health effects allowed them to use the data as proof of safety.  It now has been shown in the scientific and health community that on these two counts (at least) they were wrong, very wrong.  We have moved to a different level of disagreement. While I am still willing to discuss facts – I am forced to now question their integrity and scientific credibility. I, and I hope the public, will demand a satisfactory explanation from them and their supporters before we move forward.”

Lorrin Pang, MD, MPH
As Private Citizen
Retired Army Medical Corp
America’s Best Doctors Listing 2007-present
Consultant to the World Health Organization since 1985

Albertini said a few points should be noted for background:
1.  On July 2, 2008 the Hawaii County Council passed resolution 639-08 by a vote of 8-1.  The resolution called for 8 actions including “order a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and to all live-fire exercises and other activities at PTA that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the DU already present;” the resolution also called for permanent monitoring to insure air quality control, citizens monitoring system to work closely with the military to assure transparency and community confidence.
Albertini said, “this isn’t happening.  It’s business as usual at PTA.”
2.  Albertini also noted that numerous written citizen questions to the Army go unanswered, including questions sent to the Army on Feb. 21, 2010 and hand delivered to Army officials on Feb. 24th at PTA by State Representative Faye Hanohano of Puna requesting written answers to the citizen questions.  (see below) To date: NO RESPONSE
3.  On Nov. 11, 2008 Commander, US Army Garrison-Hawaii, Matthew Margotta said:
“stopping live-fire at PTA is NOT going to happen,” despite incomplete assessment and testing for DU contamination at PTA.  Margotta referred to the County Council’s action call by saying “it’s only a resolution.”
Margotta’s comments show callous disregard for the health and safety of troops, residents and visitors alike.  It appears that obsession with “mission” has blurred all common sense.
4.  The Army is stonewalling on the Pohakuloa Community Advisory Group (CoAG), according to CoAG member, Cory Harden.  The Army touted CoAG to the County Council and the public as a way for the community to have input on DU.  The Pohakuloa CoAG hasn’t met for 8 months.

-pau-

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawai`i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 email ja@interpac.net
Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

February 21, 2010

An open letter to all County, State, Federal officials, and special interests participating in the closed door meeting at the military’s Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Feb. 24, 2010.   (To people invited to Pohakuloa  from those who aren’t)

Please be aware that the meeting will be picketed.  We do not believe in “democracy by invitation only.”   The doors are closed to the public who pays the bill.
We are angry that the military continues to conduct bombing missions and live-fire without a complete independent assessment of the Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation present at PTA and without  cleaning up as called for in Hawaii County Council resolution 639-08.  The military has been stonewalling the community’s concerns about health and safety for years. The Davy Crockett DU weapons may just be the tip of far more widespread DU contamination.

We invite you to stop and dialog with us before you enter the base.  Inside, we ask that you be our voice. Ask the following questions and …

PLEASE GET ANSWERS!

1.  Why hasn’t the Army stopped all live-fire and bombing missions until there is a complete independent assessment and clean-up of the DU already present as called for in County of Hawaii resolution 639-08?
The Army denied even having DU in Hawai’i–until citizen groups found out DU had been discovered at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, in 2005. Estimates of the number of DU spotting rounds vary widely–from about 700 statewide to over 2000 at Pohakuloa alone just from one weapon system –Davy Crockett.  (There may have been many more DU weapon systems used at PTA and other Hawaii ranges.)  Concerns about Army searches, reports, and air monitoring have been raised by Dr. Mike Reimer, a geologist, and Dr. Marshall Blann, a consultant to Los Alamos National Laboratory, both from Kona; and Dr. Lorrin Pang from Maui, a former Army doctor who is a consultant to the World Health Organization. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not yet granted the Army a license to possess DU. Yet the Army has ignored a County resolution calling for a halt to bombing and live-fire that may spread airborne DU from undetected DU munitions.

2.  Are there more forgotten hazards?
The Army claims it was unaware of the Davy Crockett  DU spotting rounds because they were classified.  This should be a wake-up call to investigate for more DU rounds and other forgotten hazards. Remember that the Army tested nerve gas and defoliants on State lands in the Waiakea Forest Reserve (Hilo’s watershed) in 1966 and 1967 while publicly denying such testing.  The Army lied.  It said it was doing “weather” testing.  The State canceled the military lease over the lies and attempted cover-up.  Isn’t it time to cancel the State lease to the military of stolen Hawaiian Kingdom lands now contaminated with radiation from weapons testing?  Military use of Hawai’i Kingdom lands violates the Kingdom’s position of neutrality stated in numerous treaties.

3.  Why is there plenty of money for new military projects, but little to clean up the 50-plus former military sites on Hawai’i Island littered with unexploded ordnance, toxins, and other hazards?  When will all of the 50-plus present and former military sites, totaling more than 250,000-acres on Hawaii Island, be cleared of unexploded ordnance, toxins, and other hazards?  A few examples…
Students dug up a grenade in a school garden in the Waimea/ Waikoloa area.
Old ordnance was found twice in 15 months at Hapuna, some in water as shallow as 30 feet, some only about 100 yards from shore.
A recreational diver found unexploded ordnance in Hilo Bay–searchers then found 300 pieces
Another diver found a 60-millimeter shell at a popular Hilo dive site, about 50 yards offshore in 12 feet of water.

4.   Why won’t the military participate in public forums on community concerns about health and safety over depleted uranium and other military toxins?  What’s the Army afraid of?

5.  The cumulative impacts from numerous military projects in Hawai’i need to be fully addressed.  About 1 acre out of 25 statewide is already military-controlled. Thousands of acres of past and present military sites, Stryker land grab, Hilo National Guard rebuild, University military research, armed “Superferry”/Joint High Speed Vessel—what’s next?  There are rumors the military wants more of Hawai‘i Island.  How much Hawai’i Island land is the military planning to take? Where and when?

6.  When will the Pohakuloa Community Advisory Group (CoAG) meet?
It hasn’t met for seven months. The Army never answered a CoAG member request to restart meetings. Note that the Army only started CoAG a year and a half ago–five years after Sierra Club first asked for such a group.

7.  Why are no public scoping hearings planned for the Army’s Joint High Speed Vessel EIS?
Citizens should be able to publicly raise concerns for the JHSV Environmental Impact Statement–like
Risks to marine animals from vessel strikes, fuel spills, and live-fire
Risks of spreading coquis, fire ants, and other invasive species
Effects of security zones on native Hawaiian cultural practices and subsistence activities, and on fishing, commerce, and recreation
Vagueness about which ports will be used

8.  We want Military Clean-Up NOT Military Build-Up!  If the U.S. stopped spending several $billion/per day on imperial wars there would be more money for county and state budget needs, jobs, and funding human needs.  We urgently request that you–as public officials–speak up on these critical issues of War, Militarism and the Health of our island citizens.

With gratitude and aloha,
Jim Albertini
for  Malu ‘Aina ohana

Crucifying Imperial Power Then & NOW!

Today is Good Friday in the Christian calendar, the day Jesus was executed by the Roman Empire for the crime of sedition (stirring up the people) in occupied Palestine.   For the Romans, crucifixion was up front and personal.  Troublemakers were tortured and executed in public places.   Pubic torture and crucifixions were meant to deter others from stirring up trouble for the empire.

The U.S. is today’s global empire.  It’s crucifying power operates on a much wider scale, and is more stealth in nature.   But the intent is much the same: get rid of troublemakers, deter and stop others from resisting imperial domination.  Today’s crucifying power takes many traditional imperial forms: torture, troops on the ground in occupied areas, and modern chariots of empire called Stryker urban-assault-vehicles.  But modern crucifixion also includes the exotic: Depleted uranium (DU) radiation weapons and  “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) otherwise known as drone airplanes.  U.S. hunter-killer drones are well named (Predators and the more advanced Reapers).

DU radiation weapons have been used at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in the center of Hawaii Island contaminating the ‘aina.  Drones also train at PTA and are now being widely used as missile-firing aircraft in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other countries.   Drones can be operated from comfortable distant locations in the U.S. where those doing the killing are a half-world away from their victims.

The U.S. empire, like the Romans, and other empires, believe that violence is a solution to problems.  Jesus on Good Friday taught a new way –that being willing to die but not to kill, is the way to new life, justice and peace.  His witness proved that the blood of the martyrs is the seed to a new movement of non-violent resistance, what others call –the church.

Where is the church today?  Have we as church members become slackers?  After 7 years of war and occupation in Iraq and nearly 9 years of war and occupation in Afghanistan, and threatening war against Iran, where are the voices of conscience speaking out for justice and peace and against war and occupation?  How many Christians, Buddhist, etc. are refusing to participate in the wars of empire?  How many churches, temples, etc. are actively supporting the empire’s wars?  How many churches, temples, etc.  are speaking out publicly to cut off the war funds and redirect spending to education, health care, and other human needs including military clean up instead of build up?  And what about 117 years of occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii?

Stop the Wars!   End Occupations!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.Phone (808) 966-7622.  Email ja@interpac.net  http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 2, 2010 – 446th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office