Protect Pohakuloa! Stop Bombing Hawaii!
PROTECT POHAKULOA
A Makahiki ceremonial gathering is planned for 10:30AM Sat. Feb. 18, 2017 at the Pu’uhuluhulu ahu located just off the intersection of Saddle Rd and Mauna Kea Access Rd. Car pools will leave Hilo (Komohana and Saddle Rd) at 9AM. The letter below addressed to Commander Marquez will be delivered to the Pohakuloa Main Gate personnel on Sat. Feb. 18th. Anyone wishing to have their name added to the list of signers can email Jim Albertini. His email address is ja@malu-aina.org. Letter signing will also be available at the Pu’uhuluhulu gathering. Following the Makahiki ceremony, a pot luck gathering will be held at Mauna Kea Park, located within a mile of the Pohakuloa Main Gate along Saddle Rd. Please join us and help pass the word. Mahalo.
To Christopher M. Marquez, LTC Christopher.m.marquez3.mil@mail.mil
Commanding Officer US Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area
P.O. Box 4607 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0607 Office phone 808-969-2407, cell 808-228-6598
Seeking PONO!
We, the undersigned, are deeply offended by your repeated lack of good faith in responding to our Sept. 30, 2016 request, and several follow up requests, for religious access to the ahu at the base of Pu’u Ka Pele for ho’okupu and Makahiki ceremony. We are also deeply offended by your failure, and that of other PTA commanders, to respond to questions submitted in writing about Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation contamination at PTA and other community concerns dating back to 2007, questions that were also presented to you in writing on Sept. 30, 2016. Your repeated lack of good faith, and that of other PTA commanders, hurts rather than improves military/community relations.
We do not believe that you have the moral or legal right under the U.S. Constitution, and certainly not under Hawaiian Kingdom law, to prohibit religious practice and access to sacred sites at Pohakuloa. The U.S. as an occupying power, has a legal duty to uphold Hawaiian Kingdom law and the right of religious practice and access under the law — Kanawai Mamala Hoe, which is also recognized in the Hawaii State Constitution. Article 12, section 7 of the Hawaii State Constitution affirms the right of traditional religious practice. Religious practices are also protected by numerous international and human rights laws; too many to mention here and are cited in military manuals and handbooks that apply directly to military branches of the United States of America.
Therefore, please immediately cease and desist from your illegal activities of blocking our right to religious practice and access. Please also know that we consider your ongoing occupation and the bombing of Hawaii not only illegal, but the ultimate in religious desecration of our sacred ‘aina and we intend to hold you accountable.
(Statement with signers names to date will be hand delivered to Pohakuloa Main Gate, Feb. 18, 2017, Contact information for Commander Marquez is provided above for those who wish to deliver their own message. )
Stop Bombing Hawaii!
- 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. 17, 2017– 804th week – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
