An invitation to PTA Commander LTC Tim Alvarado to speak and answer questions at a public meeting
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE: Oct. 1, 2023
Mailed to:
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) Commander
LTC Tim Alvarado
PO Box 4607, Hilo HI 96720
also emailed to
Amy Phillips
PTA PAO to be delivered to LTC Alvarado
Phillips, Amy CIV USARMY USAG (USA) <amy.phillips.civ@army.mil>
Aloha LTC Alvarado,
Our organization hosts public community meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at the Kea’au Community Center from 6-8 PM.
We would like to invite you to come and make a presentation about PTA and respond to community concerns. Our proposed possible meeting dates for you are Monday Oct. 23rd or Nov. 13th. If neither of these dates are good for you please propose a better date (2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month).
Some community concerns expressed about PTA include the following:
1. What possible toxins are blowing in the dust, wind, and smoke off PTA from more than 75 years of bombing and shelling, including the use of Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation rounds at PTA? It has been suggested that an independent authority install air filters 360 degrees surrounding the base at government expense to see what might be coming off the base. What is your evaluation of PTA’s lack of response to Hawaii County Council’s resolution 639-08 passed in July 2008 by a vote of 8-1 calling for 8 actions to be taken by PTA. (Copy enclosed with letter sent to PO Box 4607, Hilo HI 96720)
2. There are growing concerns about spreading wildfires started at PTA from bombing and shelling. Is PTA, located in the dry, windy center of Hawaii Island, our “Lahaina” fire waiting to happen?
3. There are growing concerns, in light of Military Red Hill fuel contamination of the aquifer on Oahu about toxins from PTA possibly contaminating the drinking water of Hawaii Island. Were military toxins found in the two water wells drilled at PTA 10 years ago? Were the water wells tested for a wide range of military toxins? Why aren’t those wells being used by PTA instead of paying $2 million yearly to haul water to PTA?
4. What are the military plans for clean up of all the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and other toxins on the entire 133,000- acres of PTA? I note that maps of PTA say “All of PTA should be considered a Dud Hazard Area.”
5. It’s been reported that less than half of PTA has been surveyed for cultural sites. Why the delay in doing cultural surveys for the entire base?
6. There are growing community concerns about not renewing or canceling the State lease of 23,000 acres for 65 years at a total cost of $1 and the rescinding of the US presidential executive order in 1964 that seized 84,000 acres of Hawaiian crown and government lands indefinitely for zero costs.
7. What are the current number of live-rounds, and listing of all the various types of rounds, fired at PTA. Is it 15 million, 20 million, 25 million? The last figure I believe released about 20 years ago noted 14.8 million live rounds fired annually at PTA. What other rounds, besides live rounds, have been fired at PTA?
The above are just some of the concerns I have heard expressed in the community. There will no doubt be many others, but these are starters.
We will be grateful for your attendance and addressing these questions and others in a mutually respectful gathering. Mahalo.
Sincerely,
Jim Albertini, president of Malu ‘Aina
cc: general public, elected officials, news media
-- 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
