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Army to take
new look at Makua
historic sites

The military says no site
in its live-fire range is
historically significant

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By Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-Bulletin

The Army maintains that none of the four archaeological sites uncovered during a survey of its live-fire training range in Makua Valley is historically significant.

However, Laurie Lucking, cultural resources manager for the 25th Infantry Division, said the Army has requested additional funding for more fieldwork at the sites and has hired two archaeologists.

A draft of the survey, completed by Ogden Environmental & Energy Services Co. for the Army last May, was turned over to the Waianae community in 1999.

Key community members were taken to the 456-acre training area to view the sites in October 1999, Army spokeswoman Capt. Cynthia Teramae said. "They were told what would be done to ensure that no firing would take place there."

Eight years ago, all targets in the training area were repositioned so "the soldiers are never shooting at an archaeological site," Lucking said.

Seventeen archaeological sites, including the historical Ukaniopu Heiau, have been documented over the years along the edge of the Army's firing range, Teramae said. A total of 45 sites are scattered throughout the valley.

Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, on behalf of Malama Makua, has filed a federal lawsuit contending the Army needs to complete an environmental impact statement before it resumes live-fire training.

Military training was suspended there in 1998. The Army says a supplemental environmental assessment is all that is needed. It hopes to resume training this spring. A public hearing on that proposal is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Army's Waianae Recreation Center.