Thirteen-year-old Kauhi Maunakea-Forth says the Army's live-fire training is “;kind of like sad that they're doing that to our land”; because of cultural sites at Makua Valley.

“;It's sort of like a link that connects us and the people of Hawaii to our ancestors that came before us. ... If they keep doing that to Makua ... how are they going to enjoy the beauty?”; the Waianae girl told the Army.

The Army is taking comments from the public until Nov. 3 on the proposed use of Makua Military Reservation for live-fire exercise by the 25th Infantry Division stationed at Schofield Barracks. The teen was one of about 100 who attended the first public meeting, which was held last night at Nanakuli High School.

Because of opposition to its use of Makua, the Army is now looking at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island as a viable alternative.

The first environmental impact statement was published in 2005, but a supplemental draft EIS was published in September because of the addition of Pohakuloa as an alternative. Pohakuloa had been screened out before the first EIS in 2005 because of the added cost and the additional three weeks for training and transporting Schofield soldiers and equipment there.

Other changes that caused the Army to prepare a supplemental EIS was that a Stryker Brigade, which could do limited training in Makua, was permanently stationed on Oahu earlier this year.

Opponent Pat Patterson said: “;You haven't cleaned it up and you want to drop more. ... You promised the Strykers would not be involved in Makua, that the EIS would not include anything about the Strykers. Now you're saying the Strykers are coming down our one road, past our churches, schools and houses?

“;Makua is not the place. I am for Makua to be returned to the native Hawaiian community, and that is the Waianae Coast,”; Patterson said.

The Army would like to replicate conditions similar to Iraq. That includes attack aviation using 2.75-inch inert rockets, indirect fire using 155 mm Howitzers, 82 mm mortars and direct fire up to .50-caliber machine guns.

The area remains littered with ordnance.

Henry Ahlo, a former soldier, supported the use of Makua by the Army, saying, “;Training is essential. If you don't have proper training, you can show your backside to the enemy.”;

Bill Hambaro said there are other places for the Army to go. “;We're right at the tipping point. Despite being bombed, burned, most of it is still good. Now is the time to stop it. Now is the time to heal.”;