Comments for the record of 106 Consultation on the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)
To Dr. Julie M. Taomia Cultural Resources Manager US Army Garrison – Pohakuloa Hawaii julie.m.taomia.civ@mail.mil (808) 436-4280 Aloha Dr. Taomia,
The draft Pohakuloa Programmatic Agreement (PA) that says PTA contains no traditional cultural/religious properties (TCPs) is a lie, and a fraud.
Below are 9 points I want to submit for the record of the 106 Consultation process involving the Pohakuloa Training Area. I request a reopening of the 106 process so that people who were excluded, and others, can participate and more information can be shared to review and provide comments. I also want to say for the record that in my nearly 50 years of peace activism in Hawaii, dealing with many military commanders, Christopher M. Marquez, LTC, the present commanding officer of the Pohakuloa Training Area, is one of the most offensive, insulting, non-transparent, lack of good faith, officers I have ever met. He has done a great disservice to community/military relations in Hawaii.
As for the current draft PA, there are inadequate archeological surveys. Only 25% of the 133,000-acres of PTA has been surveyed. Traditional Cultural Sites have failed to be identified including the shrines identified on PTA in the article of Oct. 2014 by Patrick C McCoy of Pacific Consulting Services, Inc. entitled “A Re-examination of Kenneth P. Emory’s Theory of Necker Type Marae in the Summit Region of Mauna Kea, Hawaii: Many Marae….” See map in article with religious site on Pohakuloa. In short, the community has not been provided with a thorough archeological survey of Pohakuloa, known as — the “Land of the Night of Long Prayer,” the heavenly realm of unity between the three great mountains –Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai. Nor have we been presented a thorough picture of the true military impact from routine training to Pohakuloa. A prime example is we have been asking for more than a decade about the current number of live-rounds fired annually at PTA. Years back in the Stryker EIS 14.8 million live-rounds annually fired at PTA was noted. What is today’s figure? And provide a breakdown of the various rounds, live-fire and other types. In addition, few are aware that Global Strike strategic bombers B-52, B-1 and B-2 bombers from Louisiana, Missouri, and Guam have flown, and or continue to fly, non-stop bombing missions to Pohakuloa. Is this training for nuclear war? I can think of no greater religious desecration of sacred ‘aina, cultural and religious sites than to practice bomb for nuclear war. We have a right to know what is going on in the center of our island and what is taking place in our names to assess the true impacts. Has this sacred area of “the land of the night of long prayer” become a toxic waste dump with the land and water underneath contaminated with Deleted uranium (DU) and a wide range of other military toxins –lead, perchlorate, etc. ? When will this bombing and desecration stop? When will this contamination be cleaned up? When Will the illegal occupation by the U.S. of the independent neutral nation Hawaiian Kingdom end? What is the exit plan for the U.S. at Pohakuloa and other military sites in Hawaii?
Jim Albertini, president Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action April 15, 2018
#1. Feb. 18, 2017 Video at Pohakuloa main gate
Feb. 18, 2017 Video at Pohakuloa main gate
Military Police Lieutenant G. Alexander refuses to accept hand delivery of letter to PTA base commander signed by at least 84 people. He said to mail the letter.
#2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS6U1u944fk&feature=youtu.be
Below is an email sent to PTA Commander C. Marquez on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 from Jim Albertini
#3. Aloha Commander Marquez,
Below is a report on our gathering Saturday, Feb. 18th. As noted, when we tried to hand deliver our signed statement with 4 pages of names, PTA Police Lieutenant G. Alexander told us he would not accept it for you and we had to mail it. We will do that, but the refusal to even accept our respectful letter is further insult. Reminds me of the Gospel readings of yesterday of Jesus under Roman occupation – when you are slapped on the left check, turn the other cheek. When the Roman soldier forces you to go one mile, walk the second mile, etc. and the ultimate — Love your enemies! We will continue to do our best to walk the extra mile and love you in spite of your disrespectful, illegal and immoral actions. We remain firm in our belief. No lie can live forever. The arc of the universe bends toward justice. Love, not violence, will have the final word.
Blessings to you.
Jim Albertini
Photo of Protect Pohakuloa ceremony at Pu’uhuluhulu
photo by Donna Grabow
Press Release on Protect Pohakuloa gathering held Sat. Feb. 18, 2017
further contact: Jim Albertini 966-7622 email ja@malu-aina.org
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
Seventy people gathered Sat. morning at 10:30 at the Pu’uhuluhulu ahu at the intersection of Saddle Rd and Mauna Kea Access Rd. Ceremony and prayers were offered for the healing of our air, land, and water; for Pohakuloa, Mauna Kea, Oak Flat and Standing Rock and wherever people are suffering. Besides Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli) and other local residents present, native healers from inner Mexico joined in solidarity. Kumu Kalani Flores from Waimea lead the gathering ceremony and many people offered prayers and offerings, including chants and songs. Some of the ceremony was live-streamed to Oak Flat and Standing Rock. Following a pot luck lunch, twenty six people journeyed to Pu’u Koli, the very center of the island, for further ceremony and prayers seeking peace, aloha and the healing of our lands. Pu’u Koli is located on the southern boundary of Pohakuloa. Live firing from Pohakuloa could be heard during the ceremony.
Following the ceremony at Pu’u Koli, a delegation attempted to deliver the letter below to the Pohakuloa Base Commander, Christopher M. Marquez LTC via the PTA main gate. The letter was signed by more than 80 people. PTA Police Lieutenant, G. Alexander refused to accept the letter for Commander Marquez and said it would have to be sent through the US mail which will be done. The letter speaks for itself. Mahalo to all who were part of this gathering and who signed the letter.
To Christopher M. Marquez, LTC
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
Christopher.m.marquez3.mil@mail.mil
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.
For reply: Malu ‘Aina P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622. Email ja@malu-aina.org www.malu-aina.org
#4. Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
To Christopher M. Marquez
LTC, FA
Commanding Officer
U.S. Army Garrison
Pohakuloa Training Area
P.O. Box 4607
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 0607 September 30, 2016
Aloha LTC Marquez,
I read the Sunday, July 31, 2016 Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce (HICC) Activity Special Report, where there was a photo of a military drone and caption “Pohakuloa Advisory Council and MAC (Military Affairs Committee) members tour the Pohakuloa Training Area on page 13. Our organization would like to request a similar briefing and tour to that of the HICC. Among sites we would like to visit besides the drone field, and the launch pads for the Davy Crockett DU spotting rounds, is the ahu at the base of Pu’u Ka Pele to offer ho’okupu during Makahiki that I and many others, including the Kapele family from Kona and members of Royal Order of Kamehameha constructed quite a few years back. We would request a weekend visit during the month of November.
Mahalo for your assistance in this matter.
With gratitude and aloha,
Jim Albertini
President
Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org www.malu-aina.org
#5. Moanikeala Akaka amd others blasting Pohakuloa commanders about lack of cultural reports, etc. on Pohakuloa
Nov. 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15HosQNzcxo
#6. Jim Albertini and others testifying on Pohakuloa EA on Cultural Impacts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmw70hRQsx0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aNqJMg6Wgw&t=30s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsgSerjBxlw
To Office of the Executive Director
John M. Fowler, executive director National Historic Preservation Advisory Council ( ACHP)
To Office of General Counsel
Javier Marques, general counsel
To Cultural Resources Manager Dr. Julie M. Taomia US Army Garrison – Pohakuloa Hawaii
Aloha Kakou,
This is a formal complaint about citizens being turned away and prohibited from participation in a May 18, 2017 meeting in Hilo, Hawaii concerning 106 consultation involving the military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). At the May 19th Kona meeting people were not turned away. The Hilo meeting was held at the County’s Aupuni Conference room and several people that our organization had extended the invitation to sent to me by Dr, Julie Taomia were turned away. It was very insulting and I hereby request that the meeting be redone and an open invitation to the community be extended.
Below is a copy of the invitation that I received from Dr. Taomia that states that others are invited to participate.
People sought to attend because May 11, 2017 e-mail announcing the May 18 meeting said “New parties are welcome to join the consultation…” And 36 CFR 800.2 (d) (2) says agencies “must…seek public comment and input”.
To ensure the section 106 process will not be challenged, please hold another meeting as soon as possible but with at least two weeks advance notice.
Thank you
Jim Albertini, President 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
The law says:
(d) The public. (1) Nature of involvement. The views of the public are essential to informed Federal decision making in the section 106 process. The agency official shall seek and consider the views of the public in a manner that reflects the nature and complexity of the undertaking and its effects on historic properties, the likely interest of the public in the effects on historic properties, confidentiality concerns of private individuals and businesses, and the relationship of the Federal involvement to the undertaking. (2) Providing notice and information. The agency official must, except where appropriate to protect confidentiality concerns of affected parties, provide the public with information about an undertaking and its effects on historic properties and seek public comment and input. Members of the public may also provide views on their own initiative for the agency official to consider in decision making. (3) Use of agency procedures. The agency official may use the agency’s procedures for public involvement under the National Environmental Policy Act or other program requirements in lieu of public involvement requirements in subpart B of this part, if they provide adequate opportunities for public involvement consistent with this subpart.
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED Aloha, I am pleased to announce that we will be holding another consultation meeting for the development of a programmatic agreement for routine military training on Hawai’i Island. Two meetings are scheduled, one in Hilo and one in Kailua-Kona. We will continue discussion of routine military training, historic property identification, and potential effects to historic properties. We hope that you can join us at one of the venues or by calling in, as follows: Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017 Time: 5:30-7:30 pm Place: Aupuni Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 1, Hilo Call-in Line: 808-655-9988 Code: 0518# Date: Friday, May 19, 2017 Time: 5:30-7:30 pm Place: West Hawai’i Civic Center, Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona Call-in line: 808-655-9988 Code: 0519# Please note these are consultation meetings to fulfill the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act. Consultation topics will be limited to relevant issues as time is limited. The parties on this email have expressed an interest in participating in this consultation. New parties are welcome to join the consultation, but we will continue with the consultation and not start from the beginning. If I have inadvertently not included someone who should have been included, please share this information with them or provide me with their contact information so that I can forward this to them. Mahalo, Julie Dr. Julie M. Taomia Cultural Resources Manager US Army Garrison – Pohakuloa Hawaii julie.m.taomia.civ@mail.mil (808) 436-4280 CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED #8 Appeal to Reno Keoni Franklin, ACHP Aloha Mr. Franklin, I received your name from Dr. Alan Downer at the May 18, 2017 106 meeting in Hilo concerning the military Pohakuloa Training Area. Dr. Downer said I should contact you for assistance. Below is a copy of a statement with a partial list of signers (attached) that we sent the night before the May 18th meeting to military officials and hand delivered copies to everyone present at the meeting. Also below is a copy of a complaint we filed on that May 18th meeting where people who came were locked out. We have asked that the meeting be redone. We hope you can assist us in this process to ensure community voices are heard. Mahalo. — Jim Albertini, President 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
Aloha ‘Aina – Protect Pohakuloa
To Military officials, Julie Taomia, others listed and ccd in her May 11, 2017 email, county, state, and federal officials, news and social media.
Taomia Julie M CIV USARMY IMCOM PACIFIC (US) <julie.m.taomia.civ@mail.mil>
Aloha Kakou,
- Mahalo for the invitation to the May 18 Hilo & May 19 Kona meetings but the short advanced notice of 1 week leaves little time for inviting others, arranging schedules, and preparing meaningful input. This is a good faith effort in that direction nevertheless. The last consultation meeting on Pohakuloa was Sept. 30, 2016 at Pohakuloa and no minute notes of that meeting have been posted to date. How Come?
- At the Sept. 2016 meeting a request was made in writing for religious ceremony access to the ahu built at the base of Pu’u Ka Pele during the coming Makahiki season from Nov. thru Feb. Numerous follow up requests were made as well. No access for religious ceremony was granted. How come?
- At a Dec. 19, 2016 meeting at PTA which we thought was going to be a day of religious access, we were told that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) needed to be developed for access. We said whatever SOP was good for the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce recent site visits should be good for us. At that Dec. meeting those of us who came for religious ceremony signed a statement on the spot and hand delivered it to PTA Commander Lt. Col. Chris Marquez, which said: “Right of Religious Practice. We the undersigned do not recognize the U.S. military’s authority to prohibit religious access to Pohakuloa – the Land of the Night of Long Prayer. It is the right of the people to practice their religion by placing ho’okupu on the ahu at the base of Pu’u K Pele.” It is now 8 months since our written request for religious access and No SOP has been developed to date and access continues to be denied. How come?
- At the Dec. 19 meeting Julie Taomia said 1200 historic sites on PTA have been identified, since 1995 when the cultural section was established at PTA but less than 1/3 of PTA’s 133,000-acres have been surveyed for cultural and religious sites to date. How come?
- On several occasions we have asked for a list and map of the known sites, especially the religious sites. To date, nothing has been provided. How come?
In light of the above we call for the following:
- That a timetable be developed for the complete survey of cultural and religious sites for the entire 133,000-acre PTA, and that local Hawaiian authorities, not out of state universities and people be utilized in this effort.
- The current list and details with maps of the 1200 known sites, including the 7 religious sites, be released immediately.
- A SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for access to religious sites be developed immediately. It is long overdue.
Without such good faith efforts on behalf of PTA, there can be no moving forward on a possible programmatic agreement at PTA because people do not have the information relevant to consider moving forward.
Furthermore, all PTA expansion plans being considered should be made public. In the email announcing this consultation meeting, the Army stated, “Consultation topics will be limited to relevant issues as time is limited.” Let’s be clear. It is not the role of the Army to silence the community or dictate the topics that are relevant and to be discussed. The purpose of the consultation is to identify potential harm to historic/cultural/religious sites, including broad cultural/religious landscapes that encompass Po-haku-loa – The Land of the Night of Long Prayer.” It is also the job of the Army to identify measures it can take to avoid the identified harms, or at least to minimize the harm. To really be comprehensive, the programmatic agreement needs to have a MILITARY EXIT PLAN, a plan to clean up all toxins, including Depleted Uranium, UXOs, etc. a plan to restore the area to its pre-military use environment, and funding for Native Hawaiian education, health care in perpetuity in partial compensation for the damage done. We need to learn from Kaho’olawe. Pohakuloa’s 133,000 acres is nearly Five Times the size of Kaho’olawe. This time we want a 100% commitment, (not a 10% commitment,) to clean up 100% of your mess. It will be up to the Hawaiian people to determine when the job is done to their satisfaction not your satisfaction.
Toward the long term goal of a demilitarized Hawaii, and the return of Hawaiian Kingdom Government and Crown lands, we specifically demand the following short-term issues be addressed:
- An assessment of the impact of past military training activities at Pohakuloa on cultural and religious sites – including the rubbish, UXO, and other toxins that have not been cleaned up in areas near identified known sites; Also see recent Hawaii court ruling victory by Ku Ching and Maxine Kahalelio against the DLNR over Pohakuloa on failed clean up.
- That the entire Pohakuloa area –the Land of the Night of Long Prayer, the entire area known as the heavenly realm of unity between the three great mountains –Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai be designated as an historic site of cultural and religious significance. This area to include all cultural and religious sites – including Pu’u, Heiau, shrines, identified from oral tradition, cultural and religious practice.
- Identify how the present training activities including, what is it now — 15 million live-rounds fired annually? What are the impacts to historic sites, cultural and religious resources and traditional practices? Also include the impact of 2000 or 3000 pound inert bombs dropped from 30,000 feet by B-52, B-1 and B-2 bombers flying non-stop from Guam, Missouri, Louisiana, and perhaps places unknown.
- The military needs to recognize the importance of access to cultural and religious sites. The time for lip service is over. Show you recognize the importance by opening access to sites for traditional cultural and religious practice NOW!
Mahalo for your attention to these important concerns.
(Signature list in formation)
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
To Office of the Executive Director John M. Fowler, executive director National Historic Preservation Advisory Council ( ACHP)
To Office of General Counsel Javier Marques, general counsel
To Cultural Resources Manager Dr. Julie M. Taomia US Army Garrison – Pohakuloa Hawaii Aloha Kakou, This is a formal complaint about citizens being turned away and prohibited from participation in a May 18, 2017 meeting in Hilo, Hawaii concerning 106 consultation involving the military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). At the May 19th Kona meeting people were not turned away. The Hilo meeting was held at the County’s Aupuni Conference room and several people that our organization had extended the invitation to sent to me by Dr, Julie Taomia were turned away. It was very insulting and I hereby request that the meeting be redone and an open invitation to the community be extended. Below is a copy of the invitation that I received from Dr. Taomia that states that others are invited to participate.
People sought to attend because May 11, 2017 e-mail announcing the May 18 meeting said “New parties are welcome to join the consultation…” And 36 CFR 800.2 (d) (2) says agencies “must…seek public comment and input”.
To ensure the section 106 process will not be challenged, please hold another meeting as soon as possible but with at least two weeks advance notice.
Thank you
Jim Albertini, President 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
The law says:
(d) The public. (1) Nature of involvement. The views of the public are essential to informed Federal decisionmaking in the section 106 process. The agency official shall seek and consider the views of the public in a manner that reflects the nature and complexity of the undertaking and its effects on historic properties, the likely interest of the public in the effects on historic properties, confidentiality concerns of private individuals and businesses, and the relationship of the Federal involvement to the undertaking. (2) Providing notice and information. The agency official must, except where appropriate to protect confidentiality concerns of affected parties, provide the public with information about an undertaking and its effects on historic properties and seek public comment and input. Members of the public may also provide views on their own initiative for the agency official to consider in decisionmaking. (3) Use of agency procedures. The agency official may use the agency’s procedures for public involvement under the National Environmental Policy Act or other program requirements in lieu of public involvement requirements in subpart B of this part, if they provide adequate opportunities for public involvement consistent with this subpart. CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED Aloha, I am pleased to announce that we will be holding another consultation meeting for the development of a programmatic agreement for routine military training on Hawai’i Island. Two meetings are scheduled, one in Hilo and one in Kailua-Kona. We will continue discussion of routine military training, historic property identification, and potential effects to historic properties. We hope that you can join us at one of the venues or by calling in, as follows: Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017 Time: 5:30-7:30 pm Place: Aupuni Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 1, Hilo Call-in Line: 808-655-9988 Code: 0518# Date: Friday, May 19, 2017 Time: 5:30-7:30 pm Place: West Hawai’i Civic Center, Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona Call-in line: 808-655-9988 Code: 0519# Please note these are consultation meetings to fulfill the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act. Consultation topics will be limited to relevant issues as time is limited. The parties on this email have expressed an interest in participating in this consultation. New parties are welcome to join the consultation, but we will continue with the consultation and not start from the beginning. If I have inadvertently not included someone who should have been included, please share this information with them or provide me with their contact information so that I can forward this to them. Mahalo, Julie Dr. Julie M. Taomia Cultural Resources Manager US Army Garrison – Pohakuloa Hawaii julie.m.taomia.civ@mail.mil (808) 436-4280 CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED #9. Hawaiian Cultural practitioner, Jimmy Medeiros, calling for May 18th and May 19th 2017 106 meetings in Hilo and Kona to be redone to allow all people who want to testify.
Aloha Julie (June 2, 2017)
I agree we should have the meetings on both west Hawaii and east held
Again to give those who wanted to speak a chance
To testify make it complete have it on the entire island
Both sides do it again let all the testimony be herd.
Thank you, Jim Medeiros
Sent from my iPhone
