DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii Army National Guard members Col. Gary Hara, Col. Raymond Jardine and Kuni Jacob (who was born and raised in Waianae) talk during a break in the hearing in Nanakuli last night on the Army's use of Makua Valley for live-fire training.

Critic decries Army’s
‘environmental terrorism’

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Concerns of possible health effects from the Army's live-fire training in Makua Valley were among the objections raised last night at a public hearing on the environmental impact of the training.

"This community has been a victim of environmental terrorism for decades," said A. Frenchy DeSoto, former trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Residents also raised concerns of noise pollution and water contamination before a 7-member panel of military officials and civilians. Some requested that the Army look into the effects of live-fire training on native plants that are used for medicinal purposes, food and cultural practices.

Kyle Kajihiro, program director for the American Friends Service Committee, said, "The destructive activities in Makua Valley is immoral and must end."

A few Leeward Coast residents supported the Army's use of Makua Valley for live-fire training.

Albert H. Silva, who lives a mile-and-a-half away from Makua Valley said, "They have been the best stewards of the land."

Silva added that the training is vital for the protection of civilians.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM At left, Amy Lutey, who does community relations for the 25th Infantry Division, talks with A. Frenchy DeSoto, right, at a hearing last night on the Army's use of Makua Valley.

"The soldiers come out of there well-trained. That's for you and I," he said.

Waianae resident Bill Prescott said President George Bush has declared war on the terrorists, the Army needs a place to train.

The hearing at Nanakuli High & Intermediate School was a first step in a process to gather public comment for an environmental impact statement on the effects of the training. More than 70 people attended and most were opposed to the training.

The hearing comes after an agreement between the U.S. Army and the group Malama Makua allowed the Army to resume live-fire training in the valley. Training had been suspended for three years because of legal action until the agreement reached three weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

As part of the settlement, the Army agreed to do the environmental study. Military officials expect to have a draft of the environmental impact statement completed by February 2003 and a final study to be done by September of that year.

Another public meeting is scheduled at the Waianae District Park Multipurpose Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Written comments will be accepted until April 28.