Press Release on DU at Pohakuloa
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEPLETED URANIUM HEARING DENIED
Hilo, Hawai’i, June 14, 2017
Four Hawai’i Island residents are expressing disappointment in a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decision to deny them a hearing on the Army license for depleted uranium (DU) at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). The residents raised numerous concerns about Army studies and monitoring plans.
Jim Albertini said, “Citizen radiation monitors on numerous occasions have detected radiation levels three to four times background levels in public areas around PTA….How much DU oxide dust is being dispersed from Pohakuloa is unknown.”
Cory Harden said “Records point to about 2,000 DU spotting rounds used at PTA, but only a few fragments have been found. Only 1,000 acres of the 51,000-acre PTA impact area were surveyed for DU. Concerns raised by professionals outside the Army and NRC were largely ignored.”
Ruth Aloua and Hāwane Rios said, “We are Kanaka Maoli that live within five miles of PTA in Waikiʻi Ranch. We have used the citizen radiation monitors at the farm during live-fire trainings and recorded radiation spikes of 62 counts per minute. If we are getting these readings here, what is happening to the rest of the island? In 2008 the Hawaii County Council approved Resolution 639-08 urging for comprehensive independent testing and monitoring to determine the extent of radioactive contamination of Pōhakuloa. The conditions of this resolution still havenʻt been met and the concerns of the community have not been addressed. There is a need for in-depth, long term, independent air monitoring of DU and, tragically, this is being blatantly and strategically ignored.We demand accountability, truth, and action. We are not afraid, we will not be silenced, and we are not defeated. The people deserve answers and Pōhakuloa deserves justice. Aloha ʻĀina! ”
The four say they will continue to seek resolution for unanswered questions about DU hazards.
Cory Harden, 808-959-7747, 333cory@gmail.com
