Letter from Jim Albertini in April 7, 2016 Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Editorial| Letters
Pohakuloa fires raise health concern
What’s blowing in the smoke from the recent brush fires at Pohakuloa?
Pohakuloa has been bombed for 70 years with a wide variety of weapons.
There is depleted uranium (DU) in the Pohakuloa Training Area — the amount never adequately studied despite repeated requests. No one knows where all the DU is located or how much is there. DU in oxide form is extremely dangerous when inhaled and can cause cancers, birth defects and genetic damage. Other toxins from various munitions fired at Pohakuloa are also a concern.
Is anyone doing downwind fire air monitoring? There are at least 57 present and former military sites on Hawaii island involving more than 250,000 acres that contain unexploded ordnance and/or military toxins. The military is good at making a mess but poor in cleaning up.
Hawaii’s children deserve better.
Jim Albertini
Kurtistown
