Hawaii County DU reso needs support

Aloha Peace Ohana,

The hearing on the DU reso is Wed. July 2, 2008 in Hilo at the Council chambers on Kilauea above the Ben Franklin Bldg.  Dr. Lorrin Pang will make a presentation in support after the public testimony which begins at 8:30.  Call or email the council and go to the hearing if possible.  Please pass the word to friends.  See below. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

PS  My older brother died suddenly this morning of a heart attack.  I will be traveling to Pennsylvania for his funeral and will not be able to be with you.  Best wishes of solidarity.

 Action Needed:

The Hawaii County Council will be hearing Resolution 639-08 Urging the U.S. Military to address the hazards of depleted uranium (DU) at the Pohakuloa Training Area. The hearing is set for Wednesday, July 2nd 8:30 AM at the Council room on the 2nd floor of the Hilo Ben Franklin building. Testimony can be presented orally and/or in writing (17 copies needed). Testimony can be orally presented via video from Waimea and Kona.

Call and/or email Hawaii County council members and urge their support resolution 639-08. A growing number of people feel it is time to stop all live-fire and 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 961-8225. 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

Stopping all live-fire at PTA is a key issue. Any live-fire risks spreading the radiation contamination. There needs to be a thorough independent assessment and clean-up of the contamination. Council chair Pete Hoffmann (retired Army Col. in military intelligence) has prepared an amendment to delete the call for a complete halt to all live firing at PTA which is the heart of the matter. Don't let this happen!

 

 

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.