Maui group faults airborne
laser targeting project
WAILUKU >> A Valley Isle group has criticized a draft environmental assessment by the U.S. Air Force to test a laser-infrared system over South Maui that would provide images of objects at a distance and at night.
Air Force contractor Textron Systems is developing the system for imaging surveillance that reveals a target from a distance without being noticed by the human eye.
The Air Force said the Standoff Intelligence Detector system is "eye-safe" and that there will be no significant environmental impact on threatened or endangered species.
But Maui Peace Action spokeswoman Mele Stokesberry said the environmental assessment is inadequate and that the planned flight path could create an "undesirable impact" on residents of Kihei.
The Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory wants to conduct about 50 flights of two to four hours in a Twin Otter aircraft equipped with a prototype laser system.
The airplane would take off from Kahului Airport and fly at about 4,800 to 6,000 feet altitude and circles target sites in a 12.2-mile diameter.
Square targets would be put on the second-story roof of the Premier Place building at the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kihei and possibly vehicles on Haleakala Ranch for the laser-infrared system to try to identify, the Air Force said.
"The noise impact may be particularly disturbing because the plane will be slowly circling an area, rather than just transiting through, especially if the flights are conducted past 10 p.m., when it is quieter," she said.
Stokesberry also objected to the Air Force conducting the tests during the mating season for the endangered Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel. She said the dark-rumped petrel flies at night from the ocean to the mountain and is "highly sensitive to distraction by light."
Stokesberry said the assessment also failed to include Molokini islet as a bird nesting site in the target area.
She said the group believes the Air Force should further explore conducting the tests at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where battlefield equipment has been tested in the past, or in Boston, where Textron has its headquarters.
The Air Force said it wants to test the system in Maui's more challenging weather conditions.
Air Force Research Laboratory spokesman Rich Garcia said the purpose of publishing the assessment is to receive public comments and to evaluate and adjust it accordingly. Garcia said the comment deadline is listed as May 28 but will be extended an additional four days for Hawaii residents.
Comments may be sent to AFRL/DEOS, 3550 Aberdeen Drive SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117, or by e-mailing Michelle.Hendricks@kirtland.af.mil.
Copies of the environmental assessment are available for review at Maui regional libraries in Kihei, Wailuku and Kahului.