Press Release on Pohakuloa $210 million building project and don’t forget the Pohakuloa Protest Aug. 1st.
Press Release on Pohakuloa Environmental Assessment
Malu Aina 966-7622 ja@malu-aina.org
A request for a 2 week extension of the public comment period was sent to the Army today and assistance was asked from the offices of Senator Brian Schatz and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Below is Jim Albertini’s email to the Army
Attn: Lisa Graham usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division Our organization requests an extension of the comment period beyond Aug. 7, 2018 for the EA concerning construction of new buildings at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). The original publication in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald on July 13, 2018 page A-8 listed a site to view the EA that was not accessible. As far as I know there has been no republication of a correct on-line site for viewing the document. I had to make numerous phone calls to get a correct link to access the site. In addition an Army site link contains a WARNING to my web browser and others that the site is not secure and advises not to go forward. This is not conducive and inviting for public input and should be corrected. I would suggest at least a 2 week extension of the deadline for public comments and a republication in the Big island daily newspapers of an online site for accessing the EA if you really want public input. Mahalo for your consideration. Aloha, — 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
$210 Million for Military Building at Pohakuloa Training Area
Community Input Needed
A major $210 million upgrade is planned at the 133,000-acre military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) located in the center of Hawaii Island. PTA is used as a live-fire training area for all branches of the US military, and even other countries as with RIMPAC 2018. From June 27 until Aug. 2, 2018 some 26 nations (including Israel for the first time) will participate in RIMPAC war games on land, sea and air in and around Hawaii. Participating will be 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. The war exercises include bombing and shelling the Pohakuloa Training Area in the center of Hawaii Island.
The 191 page Environmental Assessment (EA) done for the PTA building upgrade is available here oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/Other_TEN_Publications/2018-07-23-HA-NEPA-EA-Draft-FONSI-Pohakuloa-Training-Area-Cantonment-Facilities-Improvement.pdf#search=PTA Paper copies are suppose to be available at the Hilo, Kona, and Waimea libraries. Deadline for public comments to be received via email or postal mail is Tuesday August 7, 2018 though an extension of time has been requested, but not yet granted. Comments with reasons calling for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and/or NO action can be submitted via email to Attn: Lisa Graham usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil or sent via US postal mail Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division (IMHW-PWE) Attn: Lisa Graham, 947 Wright Ave. Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857-5013.
The $210 million upgrade at PTA includes the demolition and replacing 123 buildings. Nothing in the current EA addresses the wide range of military toxins, including radioactive Depleted Uranium oxide particles (DU oxide) which have been used in the 75 years of bombing and other live-fire at PTA. There needs to be comprehensive, independent testing and monitoring for DU oxide and other military toxins at these PTA buildings which are adjacent to the newly improved Saddle Rd. The EA does not make clear the land status of the building area. Is it leased lands, approximately 23,000-acres (lease DA-94-626-ENG-80due to expire in 2029) Presidential Executive Order #11167 (approximately 84,000-acre) seized land, Governor’s Executive Order #1719 (approximately 800-acres) seized lands, or lands more recently purchased from Parker Ranch – approximately 23,000-acres.
More information in recent years has become available about the US illegal overthrow and continuing illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom. No treaty of Annexation of Hawaii exists. Therefore, would not Presidential and Governor Executive Orders and leases of illegally seized Hawaiian Kingdom lands also be illegal?
Free Hawaii! De-Militarize and De-Occupy Hawaii Now!
- 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
Sign up on our website to receive our posts http://www.malu-aina.org/
August 3, 2018 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet — 880th week – Fridays 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
On 7/29/2018 7:37 PM, Jim Albertini wrote:
STOP BOMBING HAWAII!
For people, plants, and animals, air, land and sea!
PROTEST
Wednesday, Aug. 1st
10AM – 12 Noon
Pohakuloa Main Gate
Carpools leave Hilo 9AM. Meet at Komohana & Saddle Rd.
From June 27 until Aug. 2, 2018 some 26 nations (including Israel for the first time) will participate in RIMPAC war games on land, sea and air in and around Hawaii. Participating will be 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. The war exercises include bombing and shelling the Pohakuloa Training Area in the center of Hawaii Island.
Please pass the word! Mahalo.
For more information 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
Sign up on our website to receive our posts http://www.malu-aina.org/
