Join the first Hilo Peace Vigil of 2023
Join the First Hilo Peace Vigil of 2023
Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 from 3:30-5 PM at the downtown Hilo Post Office/Federal Building.
Mahalo. Peace makes a Happy New Year for ALL. This week’s leaflet below.
Pohakuloa! 
The Most Toxic Place on Hawaii Island!
The Military 133,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) is located in the center of Hawaii Island and should really be called for what it is – The Pohakuloa Toxic Area. The area has been bombed and shelled for more than 75 years by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and foreign countries too. Millions of live rounds are fired annually at PTA. A wide range of toxins has been used including lead, perchlorate, and radioactive Depleted Uranium (DU). The continuing live fire of high explosives, re suspends many of the toxins that can then be carried long distances in the high winds that frequently blow through the Saddle region of Hawaii Island. Inhaling tiny DU oxide particles can cause several cancers and genetic damage can be passed to future generations.
The Military Pohakuloa Facebook page recently announced that the Army will again be having an Open House “Experience Pohakuloa Day” on April 20 from 9 AM to 1 PM. The military post said it is time for “showcasing our training, environmental and community relations mission.” See #XPTADay #armycommunityrelations #PacificsPremierTrainingArea How bizarre! There can be no greater desecration of the ‘aina than bombing. And to celebrate that bombing on what is widely recognized as “Earth Day” only adds insult to injury.
Of the 133,000 acres at PTA, 23,000 are leased from the State of Hawaii for 65 years at a total cost of $1.00. That lease expires in 2029 and the military is already negotiating to renew the lease so it is doing a lot of public relations work to try to shine its image. In addition to the leased land, 84,000 acres were simply seized in 1964 by a Presidential executive order signed by Lyndon B. Johnson. The military paid ZERO dollars for that 84,000 acres and there is no expiration date to the seizure of land. However, Kaho’olawe island, which encompasses 28,000 acres was also seized by presidential order. Still, that order was rescinded by another presidential order in 1990 signed by George H.W. Bush that returned the entire island to the State of Hawaii. If it was done for Kaho’olawe, it can be done for Pohakuloa too! All that is needed is political pressure for action.
The year 2023 has just begun. We have plenty of work to do. Don’t be bamboozled by military propaganda to renew the Pohakuloa lease and keep sending more and more weapons to escalate the war in Ukraine. De-militarizing Hawaii and the world and preventing nuclear war and climate disasters need to be at the top of our New Year’s resolutions. Never underestimate the power of people working together in nonviolent action.
Stop the Bombing! Clean Up the Military Opala!
Return the Land to the Hawaiian People!
And End the Illegal Military Occupation of Hawaii!
1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject violence & war as solutions. 3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination: anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Russian, etc.
5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
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 to receive our posts.
For more information http://www.malu-aina.org
Jan. 6, 2023, Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet – week 1110– Fridays 3:30-5 PM downtown Post Office
-- Jim Albertini 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
