Army hearings focus
on Makua Valley impact

2 sessions will look at key issues
for an environmental study

---

By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.com

The Army will hold two hearings next month to help identify potential impacts and key issues that will be analyzed in the environmental impact statement it needs to complete to justify continued live-firing training in Makua Valley.

The first hearing will be held at 6 p.m. April 9 at Nanakuli Intermediate and High School. The second will begin at 10 a.m. April 13 at the Waianae District Park multipurpose building at 85-601 Farrington Hwy.

The 25th Infantry Division (Light) was allowed to resume limited training in January at Pililaau Range Complex in Makua Valley after an agreement was reached Oct. 4 with Malama Makua and Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund.

Under the settlement, the Army agreed to do a comprehensive environmental study of the air, soil and ground water within three years. It also allocated $50,000 in a technical assistance fund to facilitate public participation in the National Environmental Policy Act.

The court-approved settlement allowed the Army to conduct 16 company-level live-fire exercises within the first year, nine in the second year and 12 in the third year on 457 of the valley's 4,190 acres.

It says Makua is the only place on Oahu where it can undertake critical training of its soldiers.

The agreement requires the Army to airlift explosives, artillery, mortar and anti-tank rounds to the valley instead of transporting the ammunition through the community.

Military vehicles also are restricted from using Farrington Highway at certain times to avoid peak travel hours and times when children are traveling to and from school.

The Army is prohibited from using rockets; tube-launched, optically tracked and wire-guided missiles; and other incendiary devices that have been responsible for fires in the area.

The Army has also agreed to allow at least one observer to attend all training and has allowed access of the valley to community members twice a month and overnight access twice a year.