Stop the Bombing!

Military Clean Up NOT Build Up!

Below is a brief report on the Hilo hearing held last night, Jan. 11 on plans for military expansion at Pohakuloa. The plans call for new live-fire ranges and training, and construction activities, at Pohakuloa as well as high altitude helicopter flights and landings on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in training for Afghanistan/Pakistan high altitude mountainous warfare.

The first hour and a half was taken up with open house science fair displays by military people who knew very little about the history of militarism in Hawaii and couldn’t answer many questions asked. But the public testimony portion on Pohakuloa was powerful.
It started with Kumu Paul Neves and his Ohana/halau doing chants and then Paul led a Pule.  Lots of young Hawaiians testified both in their native tongue and English.  They spoke elequently against the military desecration of the sacred mountains and aina.  Other Hawaiians and people of all ages,  testified as well.  The testimony went for 2 hours.  Not one person spoke in support of the military expansion plans. The PTA new commander and the Army Garrison commander sat stoned face throughout the 2 hours of public testimony

In my testimony, I noted that no further military activity at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) should go forward.  On July 2, 2008 the hawaii County Council passed a resolution by a vote of 8-1 calling for a complete halt to all live-fire at PTA and any ativities that create dust until their is a comprehensive independent assessment of the depleted uranium (DU) present at PTA and a clean up of the DU.  The council’s resolution also called for 7 additional actions, none of which have been implemented.

I emphasized that stopping all live-fire, construction, and other activities that create dust is key.  Du particles are particularly hazardous when inhaled.  I also emphasized that the federal government should pay for the comprehensive independent assessment, testing and monitoring for radiation contamination and that federal funds should be sought through Hawaii’s congressional delegation –senators Inouye and Akaka, and representatives Hirono and Hanabusa.  There has been plenty of money over the years for military build up but very little funding for military clean up.  It’s time to change those priorities.

Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright

Schedule of Appearances

on Hawaii Island

“Images from Afghanistan and the Gaza Flotilla”

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011

Univ. of Hawaii at Hilo UCB 100

with video of 2nd Gaza flotilla and still photos from her recent trip to Afghanistan
7 p.m. – Speak on Gaza flotilla and Afghanistan
University of Hawaii, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii
Contact Jim Albertini
www.malu-aina.org

Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

6 p.m. – Speak on Gaza flotilla and trip to Afghanistan

Holualoa Theater, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

Contact Sharon Taylor

Aloha Peace Ohana,

Reminder: There will be a peace organizing meeting on Monday, January 10, 2011 from 7-9PM at the Keaau Community Center.  Among items for discussion are

1.  Pohakuloa expansion plans and high altitude military helicopter training on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea for deployment to Afghanistan/Pakistan wars.

2.  Ann Wright speaking at UHH on the evening of Jan. 20th on Gaza and Afghanistan.  Ann has just returned from Afghanistan and will report on her trip and share photos.

Come and bring a friend and some ideas for peace.

Mahalo,

Jim Albertini

Army announces Programmatic EIS for construction at Pohakuloa Training Area

December 20, 2010 by kyle
January 11, 2011
5:50 pm     to     9:00 pm
January 12, 2011
5:30 pm     to     9:00 pm

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

FOR MG TERRY / LTC NILES / USARPAC MS. NIELSEN for PTA PEIS NOI notifications

Aloha ‘Okou,

I hope that this email finds you well. Unfortunately time constraints preclude my ability to call all of you today.  Therefore I am sending this email to ensure that you receive this information.

I wanted to personally notify you of the Army’s action to publish a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register this week, stating that the Army will prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island — which will evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with the modernization of training ranges, infrastructure, and support facilities there.

The PEIS will also specifically evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with the construction and operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle Area at PTA.

The Army is seeking public input to identify community concerns or issues as part of the PEIS process – which is being conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The proposed actions at PTA involve upgrading existing ranges to current standards and/or constructing new ranges; upgrading and/or constructing new Soldier support facilities in the cantonment area; and improving or constructing roads and utilities at PTA.  The proposed action would improve the current shortfall in collective live-fire training capabilities for units stationed in Hawaii.

The PEIS will evaluate constructing and operating an Infantry Platoon Battle Area –  which includes an infantry Platoon Battle Course, a live-fire shoot house, and a Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) facility.  The PEIS will also consider alternate courses of action, including modernizing PTA’s existing training ranges, infrastructure and facilities, or a No Action alternative.

Public scoping meetings to receive community input are scheduled to be held in Hilo on 11 Jan and in Waimea on 12 Jan.

Tues., 11 Jan 2011:

Hilo Intermediate School

5:50 – 6:45 p.m. – Open House       7:00-9:00 p.m. – Open Microphone session

Wed.,  12 Jan 2011

Waimea Elementary & Intermediate School

5:30-6:45 p.m. – Open House         7:00-9:00 p.m. – Open Microphone Session

I will be at both public meetings. I hope that you will be able to attend one or the other of the meetings.

A Public Notice will be advertised in the Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today, and a media release issued to all media.

Section 106 consultation will be conducted on this project, and we have already started the archaeological field work to enable us to do this, as those who have been working for CSH are undoubtedly aware.  Fieldwork will be ongoing into the new year as well using PTA Cultural Resources staff.

For additional information on this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me or our action officer, Mike Egami at 808-656-3152. Unfortunately, I will be on leave from December 21 through December 28, returning on December 29.

However, I do eventually read through all of my emails, so please feel free to send one back, or call me when I return should you have questions or concerns.  And of course, we have our next Cultural Advisory Committee meeting on January 14.

Have a wonderful, safe and enjoyable holiday season, and I look forward to seeing all of you in the new year!

Mahalo nui loa,

Julie

Dr. Julie M. E. Taomia
Archaeologist, Cultural Resources Section
Environmental Division
Directorate of Public Works
Pohakuloa Training Area
US Army Garrison
(808)969-1966
http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&service_provider_id=83121&site_id=46&service_category_id=5

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

Environmental Assessment for High-Altitude Mountainous Environmental Training (HAMET)

I believe comments are due by Jan 23, 2011.

www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sites/nepa/