Community meetings in Hilo & Kona about Pohakuloa military impacts to cultural resources

Malu Aina Center for Non-Violent Education and Action

Nov. 27, 2017

Press Release on Community meetings in Hilo & Kona about Pohakuloa military impacts to cultural resources

Contact: Ruth Aloua 785-0211 for Kona forum, Pua’ena Ahn 854-1837 for Hilo forum

U.S. Army Garrison-Pohakuloa is seeking public comment on its 2017 Draft Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan regarding the 132,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area, located in the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The document states, “the general objective of the cultural resources management program are to eliminate impacts to the military mission arising from cultural resources.” Despite adverse impacts to archaeological resources and sacred sites, the Environmental Assessment concluded a Finding Of No Significant Impact. For this reason, USAG-Pohakuloa has declined to hold public meetings as it is not legally obligated to do so under a FONSI, despite “active public outreach” having been included as an Implementation Objective of the ICRMP.  Malu ʻAina Center for Non-Violent Education and Action will be hosting community meetings concerning this plan in lieu of USAG-Pohakuloa, co-sponsored by Hawaii County District 5 Council Member Jen Ruggles. The Hilo meeting will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Aupuni Center Conference Room from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The Kona meeting will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 at the West Hawai’i Civic Center in the open gazebo from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Community members attending in Kona should bring a chair or towel for comfortable seating. Written testimonies, songs, chants and art are welcomed. Testimonies will be video recorded, shared on social media and submitted to U.S. Army Garrison by the December 7, 2017 deadline.


For further information contact Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action via phone ((808) 966-7622) or email (ja@malu-aina.org). Sign-up on our website to receive our posts  http://www.malu-aina.org/

The EA can be found at https://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/NEPA/Documents/USAG-P_ICRMP%20&%20EA_Draft%20FNSI_revised.pdf and can submit comments.  Comments can be emailed tousaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil or mailed to: Directorate of Public Works, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii Environmental Division (IMHW-PWE) 947 Wright Ave., Wheeler Army Airfield Schofield Barracks, HI 96857-5013.

Please help pass the word. Mahalo.

-- 
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