Protest at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) main gate 9:30AM Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Protest at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) main gate Wednesday, June 28, 2017
PTA is having a ground breaking ceremony for modernizing ranges and infrastructure beginning at 10AM on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. (See below) They are doing their modernization/expansion piecemeal to avoid a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on their overall expansion plans. We are planning a protest at the PTA main gate beginning 9:30AM till 11AM. Carpools leaving the Hilo side Komohana/Saddle Rd. intersection at 8:45AM on Wednesday morning. Please join and help pass the word. Mahalo.
We call for stopping all live fire at PTA, comprehensive testing and monitoring for Depleted Uranium (DU) Radiation contamination, clean up of the DU, no renewal of the PTA lease by the State of Hawaii which expires in 2029, and a military exist plan and overall clean up and restoration of this sacred area –“The Land of the Night of Long Prayer.” and a return of this crown and government lands to the Hawaiian people.
Jim Albertini
Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489
Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@malu-aina.org
visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
sign up on our website to automatically receive our posts
Jim
On behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Marquez, Commander USAG-Pohakuloa, you’re cordially invited to Pohakuloa Training Area Installation Improvement Ground Breaking:
Date: 28 June 2017, Wednesday
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii
Narrative along with historic pictures:
Pohakuloa Training Area is under-going a series of phased construction projects to modernize ranges and improve Cantonment infrastructure. Characterized as an austere training environment for military personnel, and a remote duty station for civilian staff, Pohakuloa Training Area represents the largest single live-fire range facility in the Pacific region. Originally constructed with the intent that facilities were temporary, Pohakuloa has remained an important training asset for all DoD services for the past 70 years. Temporary facilities have out-lasted their cost-effective life-spans for maintenance and upkeep. Today, out-dated and worn systems cannot fully support the requirements of military leaders to ensure combat readiness, nor provide adequate facilities for civilian support personnel. The Pohakuloa “Facilities Improvement Plan” focuses first on Cantonment basic services of water, power, wastewater, and communications. As utility systems are upgraded, new structures will replace antiquated Quonset huts, including barracks, dining facilities, laundries, and professional office space for civilian staff. Down-range initiatives will proceed in parallel with Cantonment upgrades. The recently completed Infantry Platoon Battle Course is the first of several modern range initiatives that will maximize training effectiveness within the existing boundaries of Pohakuloa. With a civilian workforce of ~200, and military throughput of ~12,000 annually, the “Facilities Improvement Plan” is necessary to enhance Pohakuloa operational capabilities and administrative services, to maintain the readiness of United States armed forces.
The contact info for questions is:
USAG-HI Protocol @ 808-656-0615
