The military's next battle over training rights may shift to the Windward side of Oahu and to the Marine Corps with a proposal pending in the Pentagon to allow jungle training there. Marines want to train in
Waikane Valley jungleBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comOfficials at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe hopes to hear by next week whether they can begin the six to nine month environmental assessment process to justify using 187 acres of land in Waikane Valley.
However, the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board is expected to request that the Marine Crops do a more comprehensive environmental impact statement, which could take several years.
Dan Bender, chairman of the Kahaluu Board, said so far his group hasn't taken a position on the Marine's proposal, "however I would anticipate that the board might request a complete EIS for the proposed activities."
He added that the board "is strongly in favor of protecting the environment, and the integrity of the sacred spaces of Hawaiian people. We have taken positions to protect gravesites, and to preserve our rural environment. We advocate for preservation of areas that have great historic significance to the Hawaiian people."
Rep. Colleen Meyer, who represents the area and has been briefed by the Marine Corps, said she is not against the Marines training there. "I know there is a need to do adequate training." But the Republican lawmaker acknowledged that the Windward Oahu community has "strong feelings" when it comes to environmental matters, which she shares.
"They are concerned about the streams in the area, the quality of the water and the creatures that live there," Meyer said.
State Sen. Bob Nakata said he expects the Marines to involve the entire Windward Oahu in the planning process, noting that "there are archeological sites in the area."
"I hope there will be a lot of discussions," the Democratic legislator said, "not only over this proposed training, but also over the status of the Marine base since it is a significant part of the community and the largest employer on the Windward side. I don't want to see a situation where the base is forced to move out of here."
Maj. Chris Hughes, Marine Corps spokesman, said based on the events following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, "we identified the need to train our Marines in a jungle environment."
About 100 Marines from Kaneohe Bay deployed to the Philippines to serve as a security force pointed to the need for more jungle training, Hughes said.
Hughes said that the Marines don't plan to use live ammunition on the 187 acres six miles north of Kaneohe, which it obtained through condemnation in 1994. "It will be either paint ball or blank ammunition," Hughes said.
When the Army tried to resume live fire training in Makua Valley, it ran into problems over its environmental assessment. The Army is now preparing a more costly environmental impact statement after a federal lawsuit over the environmental assessment.