County Council DU Resolution set for Tuesday, May 20th 8:30AM in Hilo

Aloha kakou,

Action Needed:

The next round of hearings on the County Council Depleted Uranium resolution 639-08 is set for 8:30 AM Tuesday, May 20th in Hilo with video hook ups for testimony in Waimea and Kona.  We hope that Lorrin Pang, MD will be able to testify on the medical and scientific issues.  If you would be willing to sign up to testify but give your time to Dr. Pang, if needed, please let me know.  Anyone can submit testimony to the council via email or in writing at the council meeting.  Bring 17 copies.  See a copy of the resolution below.

Mahalo.

Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box AB
`Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@interpac.net
www.malu-aina.org

Call and/or email Hawaii County council members and urge their support and strengthening of resolution 639-08. A growing number of people feel it is time to shut down PTA and get to the root of the problem as called for by long-time sovereignty activist Soli Niheu: "Rid Hawaii nei of the U.S.A."

Call 961-8211. Email: "angel pilago" <KAPILAGO@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Bob Jacobson" <jjaco@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Brenda Ford" <bford@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Dominic Yagong" <dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Donald Ikeda" <dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "emily naeole" <enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "john yoshimoto" <jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Pete Hoffmann" phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us

RESOLUTION 639-08 URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO ADDRESS THE HAZARDS OF DEPLETED URANIUM AT THE POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA.

WHEREAS, in the early 1960's the United States Military used the Pohakuloa Training Area for firing a formerly classified weapon, the Davy Crockett recoilless gun, which has created the presence of depleted uranium (DU) in the impact area at the U.S. Army Garrison, Pohakuloa; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific studies concerning the health risks from exposure to depleted uranium; and

WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a half-life of 4.6 billion years; and

WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive alpha particles that can cause cancer when inhaled or ingested and also cause kidney and lung damage; and

WHEREAS, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean-up of munitions and other products or materials containing depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area to protect all residents of Hawai'i Island; and

WHEREAS, the United States Military is hereby requested, with urgency, to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area with the following five-point plan:

1. Ordering a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and to all live firing exercises and other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium already present; 2. Establishing a permanent, high-tech monitoring system with procedures to ensure air quality control; 3. Establishing a citizen monitoring system to work closely with Military experts to assure transparency and community confidence; 4. Hosting quarterly meetings to update and inform the public; and 5. Ensuring permanent funds are available for the monitoring program; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I that the U.S. Military will incorporate the five-point plan to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to Colonel Howard Killian, Deputy Region Director, Army Installation Management Command-Pacific; all members of the Hawai'i State Legislature; Senator Daniel K. Inouye; Senator Daniel K. Akaka; Congressman Neil Abercrombie, and Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono.