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Military says what? “We are stewards of the land.”

Monday, October 2nd, 2023

Pohakuloa Toxic Area (PTA) Commander says

“We are stewards of the land.”

Lt. Col. Tim Alvarado

LTC Tim Alvarado, PTA Commander

Can you imagine — the commander of a 133,000-acre military base that has been bombed and shelled for 75 years with millions of live rounds fired annually (including Depleted Uranium radiation, lead, etc.) saying “WE ARE STEWARDS OF THE LAND.”

 

  1. www.hawaiitribune–herald.com › 2023/06/29 › hawaii‘We are stewards of the land’: Alvarado assumes command at PTA

     

    Jun 29, 2023 · By JOHN BURNETT Hawaii Tribune-Herald | Thursday, June 29, 2023, 12:05 a.m. Share this story. JOHN BURNETT/Tribune-Herald Lt. Col. Timothy Alvarado, the new commanding

Even the State DLNR in testimony on the State lease renewal draft EIS of 23,000 acres of Hawaiian Crown & Government lands to the military on June 7, 2022 had harsh words. Both the Dept. of Land & Natural Resources and Office of Conservation & Coastal Lands  listed a range of adverse military impacts to animals, archeological sites, and cultural resources.  These agencies listed major data gaps.  They expressed alarm at the number of dump sites,  Perhaps most significant, they said “Military activity that involves maneuvers, ammunition, artillery and mortar systems, depleted uranium, explosives, firing points, hazardous material and waste seem inconsistent with the conservation district, according to the agency.”

“It appears that military training is in direct conflict of the Conservation District designation,” the agency wrote.

The State comments noted. the Army document lacks any provisions for restorative actions such as reforestation, or cleanup of unexploded munitions.

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

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An invitation to PTA Commander LTC Tim Alvarado to speak and answer questions at a public meeting

Sunday, October 1st, 2023

FOR PUBLIC RELEASE: Oct. 1, 2023

Mailed to:

Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) Commander

LTC Tim Alvarado

PO Box 4607, Hilo HI 96720

 

also emailed to 

Amy Phillips 
PTA PAO to be delivered to LTC Alvarado
Phillips, Amy CIV USARMY USAG (USA) <amy.phillips.civ@army.mil>
 
 
Aloha LTC Alvarado,
 
Our organization hosts public community meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at the Kea’au Community Center from 6-8 PM.
We would like to invite you to come and make a presentation about PTA and respond to community concerns. Our proposed possible meeting dates for you are Monday Oct. 23rd or Nov. 13th.  If neither of these dates are good for you please propose a better date (2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month).
 
Some community concerns expressed about PTA include the following:
1.  What possible toxins are blowing in the dust, wind, and smoke off PTA from more than 75 years of bombing and shelling, including the use of Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation rounds at PTA?  It has been suggested that an independent authority install air filters 360 degrees surrounding the base at government expense to see what might be coming off the base.  What is your evaluation of PTA’s lack of response to Hawaii County Council’s resolution 639-08 passed in July 2008 by a vote of 8-1 calling for 8 actions to be taken by PTA.  (Copy enclosed with letter sent to PO Box 4607, Hilo HI 96720)
2.  There are growing concerns about spreading wildfires started at PTA from bombing and shelling.  Is PTA, located in the dry, windy center of Hawaii Island, our “Lahaina” fire waiting to happen?
3.  There are growing concerns, in light of Military Red Hill fuel contamination of the aquifer on Oahu about toxins from PTA possibly contaminating the drinking water of Hawaii Island.  Were military toxins found in the two water wells drilled at PTA 10 years ago?  Were the water wells tested for a wide range of military toxins? Why aren’t those wells being used by PTA instead of paying $2 million yearly to haul water to PTA?
4.  What are the military plans for clean up of all the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and other toxins on the entire 133,000- acres of PTA?  I note that maps of PTA say “All of PTA should be considered a Dud Hazard Area.”
5.  It’s been reported that less than half of PTA has been surveyed for cultural sites.  Why the delay in doing cultural surveys for the entire base?
6.  There are growing community concerns about not renewing or canceling the State lease of 23,000 acres for 65 years at a total cost of $1 and the rescinding of the US presidential executive order in 1964 that seized 84,000 acres of Hawaiian crown and government lands indefinitely for zero costs.
7.  What are the current number of live-rounds, and listing of all the various types of rounds, fired at PTA.  Is it 15 million, 20 million, 25 million?  The last figure I believe released about 20 years ago noted 14.8 million live rounds fired annually at PTA. What other rounds, besides live rounds, have been fired at PTA?
 
The above are just some of the concerns I have heard expressed in the community.  There will no doubt be many others, but these are starters.
 
We will be grateful for your attendance and addressing these questions and others in a mutually respectful gathering.  Mahalo.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Jim Albertini, president of Malu ‘Aina
 
cc: general public, elected officials, news media
-- 
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

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