POHAKULOA

DEPLETED URANIUM (DU)

     A very important article was published this week in the Honolulu based Civil Beat on “The Health Risks of Depleted Uranium in Hawaii.” Here’s the link to the article.

http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/02/the-health-risks-of-depleted-uranium-in-hawaii/

     The authors are: Public Health Doctor Carol Murry, Dr. Lorrin Pang, MD, 25 years in the Army Medical Corps, Dr. Mike Reimer, PhD retired nuclear geologist, and Dr. Doug Rokke, PhD retired Army Major in charge of DU clean up in Iraq after the first Gulf War.

     After years of denying Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation weapons use in Hawaii, evidence was produced in 2007 that DU had in fact been used starting in the early 1960s by the U.S. military at Schofield Barracks in central Oahu and the 133,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) located in the center of Hawaii island and possibly other Hawaii sites. The article clearly states “Depleted uranium, or DU, is a serious threat to health in Hawaii, where it was introduced through military activity.” Dr. Pang says that “inhaled DU oxide” dust particles are the specific hazard. The article says “More than 50 years of bombing at PTA, increased traffic on the new Saddle Road passing through PTA, combined with strong winds in the area and occasional flash flooding have provided increased potential pathways of public exposure to DU aerosol particles and potential transport of DU around the island. Furthermore, military and civilian work forces are possibly exposed daily, families and visitors picnic in the area, and a county park and Girl Scout camps are nearby.”

      The article is a call to action. “Comprehensive, independent testing and monitoring should be done at military expense, in cooperation with groups wishing to cooperate with the Army and State to determine the full extent of radiation contamination related to training sites.” The article concludes by noting “that the Hawaii County Council in July 2008, by a vote of 8-1 passed resolution 639-08, calling for stopping all live-fire at PTA and cleaning up the DU present.” But the military still continues live-fire at PTA. Here is a 17 min video by Isaac “Paka” Harp of Dr. Lorrin Pang, MD on the dangers of Depleted Uranium https://vimeo.com/19153948

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2017/02/11/activists-nrc-approval-for-pohakuloa-du-monitoring-a-sham/

Article on US bombing Syria with DU weapons http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46499.htm

Stop Bombing Hawaii!  

Put an End to War!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
   4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
   5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
   

Contact: Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760 Phone (808) 966-7622. Email: ja@malu-aina.org

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Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet Feb. 24, 2017– 805th week – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Video by Isaac “Paka” Harp.  Mahalo.

Feb. 18, 2017 Video at Pohakuloa main gate.  Video by Donald Wessels.

Military Police Lieutenant G. Alexander refuses to accept hand delivery of letter to PTA base commander signed by at least 84 people.  He said to mail the letter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS6U1u944fk&feature=youtu.be

Below is an email sent to PTA Commander C. Marquez on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 from Jim Albertini

Aloha Commander Marquez,
Below is a report on our gathering Saturday, Feb. 18th.  As noted, when we tried to hand deliver our signed statement with 4 pages of names, PTA Police Lieutenant G. Alexander told us he would not accept it for you and we had to mail it.  We will do that, but the refusal to even accept out respectful letter is further insult.  Reminds me of the Gospel readings of yesterday of Jesus under Roman occupation –  when you are slapped on the left check, turn the other cheek.  When the Roman soldier forces you to go one mile, walk the second mile, etc. and the ultimate — Love your enemies!   We will continue to do our best to walk the extra mile and love you in spite of your disrespectful, illegal and immoral actions. We remain firm in our belief. No lie can live forever. The arc of the universe bends toward justice.  Love, not violence, will have the final word.
Blessings to you.
Jim Albertini
Photo of Protect Pohakuloa ceremony at Pu’uhuluhulu

photo by Donna Grabow

Press Release on Protect Pohakuloa gathering held Sat. Feb. 18, 2017
further contact: Jim Albertini 966-7622 email ja@malu-aina.org 

Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org 

     Seventy people gathered Sat. morning at 10:30 at the Pu’uhuluhulu ahu at the intersection of Saddle Rd and Mauna Kea  Access Rd.  Ceremony and prayers were offered for the healing of our air, land, and water; for  Pohakuloa, Mauna Kea, Oak Flat and Standing Rock and wherever people are suffering.  Besides Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli) and other local residents present, native healers from inner Mexico joined in solidarity. Kumu Kalani Flores from Waimea lead the gathering ceremony and many people offered prayers and offerings, including chants and songs.  Some of the ceremony was live-streamed to Oak Flat and Standing Rock.  Following a pot luck lunch, twenty six people journeyed to Pu’u Koli, the very center of the island, for further ceremony and prayers seeking peace, aloha and the healing of our lands.  Pu’u Koli is located on the southern boundary of Pohakuloa.  Live firing from Pohakuloa could be heard during the ceremony.

     Following the  ceremony at Pu’u Koli, a delegation attempted to deliver the letter below  to the Pohakuloa Base Commander, Christopher M. Marquez LTC via the PTA main gate. The letter was signed by more than 80 people.  PTA Police Lieutenant, G. Alexander refused to accept the letter for Commander Marquez and said it would have to be sent through the US mail which will be done.  The letter speaks for itself.  Mahalo to all who were part of this gathering and who signed the letter.

The Health Risks Of Depleted Uranium In Hawaii

The Health Risks Of Depleted Uranium In Hawaii

By Carol Murry Douglas Rokke Lorrin Pang and Michael Reimer

photo by Donna Grabow