Press release on B-2 bombing of Pohakuloa

Press Release December 11, 2007

further contact: Jim Albertini 966-7622, email ja@interpac.net

Is Hawaii being used to train for a bombing attack on Iran?

An Associated Press story of Nov. 22, 2007 reported that B-2 stealth bombers from Guam are using Hawaii for target practice. Specifically, its been learned that B-2s bombed the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in the heart of Hawaii Island in September, October and Novemeber and plan to continue to do so on a monthly basis. Hawaii County Mayor, Harry Kim, was unaware of the B-2 bombings but felt officials and the public need to be informed when such activities are taking place. The news reports said the B-2s dropped 2000 lb inert (dummy) bombs at PTA. A check on the internet confirms that 2000 lb bombs carried by the B-2 can be both conventional and nuclear weapon "bunker busters" to destroy hardened underground facilities. Are the B-2s bombing Hawaii training for a possible attack on Iran?

The U.S. Army confirmed on August 20, 2007 that PTA is contaminated with radiation from weapons training. The confirmation of Depleted uranium (DU) came after years of the military denying its presence. Radiation contamination has also been confirmed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, and other military firing ranges in Hawaii may be contaminated as well. Citizen groups exposed the contamination on Oahu and people on Hawaii Island began doing their own radiation monitoring recording levels 3-4 times background and kept the pressure on the military. The full extent of military radiation contamination is unknown due to the extensive size of firing ranges in Hawaii, poor record keeping by the military, and incomplete testing to date. A major question is whether continued training at confirmed military radiaiton contaminated sites endangers troops, visitors, and residents of Hawaii and risks spreading the contamination? Despite military efforts to downplay the hazards of DU, more and more evidence is suggesting that airborne DU particles are particularly hazardous if inhaled.

In light of the above, we the undersigned call for the following:

1. The immediate establishment of independent, high tech monitors (at military expense) around all range impact areas where real-time data is available to the public on-line 24/7.

2. Testing (at military expense) for DU exposure of military personnel and members of the civilian community who believe they may have been exposed to DU. (The U.S. is spending $2 billion a day on the military. There should be funds available to see if troops and civilians are being contaminated by their own radioactive weapons.)

3. Stop training for war. Military exercises spread contamination, deepen the Iraq quagmire and take the US closer to the brink of an attack on Iran. We will not stand for the Bush administration waging another illegal and immoral imperial war of aggression. We want Hawaii to be a beacon of justice, peace, independence, and aloha.

Is Radiation Blowing in the wind?

Signed:

Jim Albertini, President, Malu Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action, Hawaii Island

Kyle Kajihiro, Program Director, American friends service Committee, member DMZ- Hawaii/Aloha Aina

Terri Kekoolani, Program Coordinator, AFSC Hawaii, member DMZ-Hawaii/ Aloha Aina

Sam Kaleleiki, President Ohana Ho`opakele

Paul Campbell

Cory (Martha) Harden

Manis Martin, Kapoho Hawaii

Larry David Samuels M.D., M.S.,Sc. D. (Environmental Health)
(formerly Division of Radiological Health, US Public Health Service)

Fred Dodge, MD, Waianae, HI

Joe Farias III, March For Humanity

Louis and Paris & Juju Korn

Robby Labovitz

Bob Nichols, Writer, Project Censored Award Winner, San Francisco

Janet Codispoti, CODEPINK - Women for Peace

Ali`i Sir Kalikolehua Kanaele, Kea`au, Hawaiian Kingdom 96749
Marya Mann, Ph. D., Loom of Love, Kailua Kona

Jeff Sacher

Krisztina Samu, Uranium Free Hawaii.

Puhipau, Joan Lander, Na Maka o ka 'Aina

Ronald Fujiyoshi, U.S.-Japan Committee for Racial Justice

Mele Stokesberry, President, Maui Peace Action.

Lisa Long, Kona, HI

Sigrid Yoakum

Arnie Kotler, Koa Books

World Can't Wait-Hawai`i
Not In Our Name-Hawai`i

Galen Kelly, Hawaii Island Resident

Michele Chavez-Pardini, Waimea

Bonnie Morgan, Lahaina, Maui

Niyati Brown

Rainbow Peace Ohana, Waimea

Helen Seffinger, Hilo, HI
Patricia A. Johns, Kamuela, HI

Global HOPE UHH student group

David Eichner, Kapaau, HI

Martha Hennessy, Kurtistown, HI

Paul W. Normann & Judy Walker, Kurtistown, HI

Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Ola`a (Kurtistown), Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622 Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org