Pohakuloa Military officials kick out media from Public Meeting
Free Speech & a Free Press
Go Together!
On Thursday, May 16, 2019 the Military Pohakuloa Training Area blocked a West Hawaii Today news reporter from a meeting about training impacts attended by 75-100 members of the public at the County Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, Hawaii. If the public is in a meeting with government officials, then the press has a right to attend and report on the meeting. The military violated the right of a Free Press and owes the West Hawaii Today newspaper, it’s news reporter, and the public an apology.
The PTA Deputy commander, Greg Flemming, who chaired the meeting did his best to control and spin everything in the military ‘s favor, but people weren’t buying it. Flemming tried to claim at the start of the meeting that he didn’t want to be filmed but several people challenged him as a public official chairing the public meeting. He was forced to back off his request. The meeting was videoed by several citizens. PTA commander Lt. Col. Loreto Borce, and Civilian cultural manager Julie Taomia also participated in the meeting. In the background was PTA Sargent Major and the Public Affairs person Mike Donnelly. Many people in the audience spoke out passionately to stop the bombing, about the need to protect cultural and religious sites at PTA, and clean up the military’s toxic mess, including Depleted Uranium radiation. Concerns were also expressed about military toxins contaminating water. A highlight of the evening was the presence and voice of Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science (HAAS) charter school students from Pahoa. Many of the students have been to Kaho’olawe on several occasions and their experience has showed them the importance of working to stop the bombing, cleaning up Pohakuloa, and protecting (not bombing) Pohakuloa and all that is sacred.
The public was unaware the news reporter was blocked from attending. The meeting was suppose to be a consultation with the community about effects of training at Pohakuloa. It was anything but. The meeting was a fraud. The arrogance of military officials could not be disguised by military camouflage. It was written all over military faces that the meeting was a mere legal formality that they didn’t want to attend, and couldn’t wait to be over. Real consultation begins by military officials genuinely listening to the community and responding to community concerns in community run meetings. That process has yet to begin.
Shame on Pohakuloa Training Area Officials!
