I just watched the full 42 minutes of the media briefing. PTC commander Cronin dodged reporters’ questions, then he said it’s “not a concern” of his about lava possibly approaching Depleted Uranium, toxins, and unexploded ordnance. I was appalled at Mayor Mitch Roth’s ignorance of what goes on at Pohakuloa. He said it’s just a training base. They use smoke and fog things, not things that blow up and spread shrapnel. The truth is that millions of live rounds are fired annually at Pohakuloa. That live fire has been going on there for 75 years. Fighter jets, bombers, heavy artillery, rockets, anti-personnel weapons, you name it.  They use it at PTA. There is a massive toxic stew on the ground there and being dispersed into the air and blown by the winds every time high explosives are used. PTA commanders like LTC Kevin Cronin come and go every 2-3 years. Their job is to NOT be transparent about what goes on there. Just keep the lid on the toxic mess being created and pass the buck to the next commander. Reminds me of the Nuremberg Nazi war crime trials. One Nazi commander at Auschwitz extermination camp said –people don’t try to escape from Auschwitz. “Afterall, Auschwitz is a family camp. Why would they want to escape.”

Watch for yourself and see what you think. 

Video of the 44 minute Media briefing on Mauna Loa lava flow can be found here. 

Pohakuloa Commander LTC Kevin Cronin, Mayor Mitch Roth, Police, USGS Ken Hon, etc.

-- 
Jim Albertini 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

Mauna Loa Lava Flow & Pohakuloa Military Toxins!

     If the Mauna Loa Lava flow moves further west into the main portion of the Military Pohakuloa Training Area — there is the potential for a massive military toxic burn pit spread of contamination.

     The Mauna Loa lava flow is still heading north toward Saddle Rd.  If the flow continues, at some point it will turn either most likely right (east toward Hilo) or left (west toward the main portion of the Pohakuloa Military base).  It will not continue north — uphill toward Mauna Kea.  Actually, the flow is already in the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) base on the easternmost portion of the 133,000-acre base within 2 miles of the Saddle Rd. and a little over 3 miles from the 55,000-acre “Impact Area” of Pohakuloa (PTA) where tens of millions of live rounds have been fired over the past 75 years.  All sorts of weapon systems, both ground and air have been used at PTA, containing a wide range of high explosives and toxins, including lead, Depleted Uranium (DU), etc.  All of PTA may contain munitions, but if a lava flow enters this impact area, it could create a very large military toxic burn pit.  Toxic fumes could endanger military personnel, and residents, and visitors of Hawaii Island, and perhaps beyond Hawaii Island.  In such an event, there should be extensive independent (not military) air monitoring for toxic particulate matter, and advance warning for evacuations.  Allowing the military to do the monitoring would be like letting the fox be in charge of the hen house. 

     Depleted Uranium metal when hit with high explosives burns and turns into small Depleted Uranium oxide particles that can be easily inhaled.  These particles once inside the body can cause various cancers and genetic damage affecting generations to come. President Biden attributes the burn pit toxins of the Mideast wars to his son’s unusual brain tumor and death.  Too bad that we have to wait for a prominent politician’s tragedy to highlight the threat to common people – but better late than never. 

     Watch the short 14 min video on Pohakuloa –Now that you know, do you care? to learn about Pohakuloa and the serious hazards of Depleted Uranium.  Click on the link https://vimeo.com/94598875

Tutu Pele: Please Cleanse & Shut Down Pohakuloa Gently!

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

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 to receive our posts.

For more information http://www.malu-aina.org

Dec. 9, 2022, Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet – week 1106– Fridays 3:30-5 PM downtown Post Office

Hawai’i Volcano Blog

Lava parking area temporarily closed after discovery of unexploded ordinance

Lava parking area temporarily closed after discovery of unexploded ordinance

Malu ‘Aina Annual Appeal

December 2022

Aloha friends,

     Once a year, during this Holy season, I write to ask for your help to sustain the work of Malu ‘Aina, an all-volunteer organization committed to justice, peace, and a living planet for generations to come.

     2022 marks 43 years since the founding of Malu 'Aina. Some of you have been with us from the start. Others more recently. Please know, we appreciate all of you for your solidarity and donations of support. You are our base. To maintain our independence and critical voice, we do not seek corporate or government funding. We started grassroots and want to stay grassroots.

  We remain committed to the principle of non-violence, kapu aloha, as our guiding light. We believe deeply that the means we use must be in line with the end that we seek. Currently, we are in transition to the next generations of leadership.  It's a slow process but we hope the vision of Malu ‘Aina will be carried forward for generations to come. Your ideas, and suggestions for next-generation leaders, are encouraged.

  We continue to grow food at Malu ‘Aina to share with people in need, but with limited volunteer farm help. We have long served as an emergency food pantry. Each week we also write a new peace leaflet for widespread distribution and conduct a peace vigil at the downtown Hilo Post Office/Federal Building. Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, marked 1104 consecutive weekly peace leaflets, for a vigil that started the day after Sept. 11, 2001. You can read the new weekly leaflet on our website www.malu-aina.org. In addition, we continue our efforts to de-militarize Hawaii and the planet and shift resources from warfare to healthcare, education, and protecting the environment. Protecting the planet from nuclear war and climate disasters are the two biggest challenges facing human civilization.

  We have plenty of work to do.  Our 40 year-old-farm tractor was not running for nearly 2 years. We had difficulty finding parts. But thanks to the help of a volunteer mechanic friend and your financial help it’s now running again. A younger driver would be helpful to this senior citizen turning 76. Mahalo for your continued financial support and solidarity in this journey of working for justice, peace, and aloha ‘aina. You are a blessing and very much appreciated.

With gratitude and aloha,

Jim Albertini

Donations are tax deductible if checks are made to Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 ‘Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760. A Pay Pal account (Donate Button) has also been set up on our webpage www.malu-aina.org. To receive our posts, please send me an email ja@malu-aina.org with a request. You can also reach us by phone (808) 966-7622. Mahalo.