Ke One Kani O Makua |
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On January 26, over 500 community members packed the Wai'anae Multipurpose Center to testify on the Army's Envirionmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Signficant Impact (FNSI) for live fire training at Makua. After weeks of cancelled meetings and changed plans, the community finally had a chance to speak out about the impacts of live fire training on Makua. Testimony went from 3:00 pm to 2:00 am. The Army ran out of time. Overwhelmingly, the community criticized the Army's Environmental Assessment and called for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) instead. Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Aunty Frenchy DeSoto, a leader in the Makua movement, delivered a petition with over 900 signatures calling for the Army to clean up and leave Makua valley. Fisherman William Aila, Jr. delivered another 500 letters demanding an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Küpuna testified with sadness and anger about how families were evicted fr om the valley and how their homes and church were blown up. Cultural practitioners described the riches of the valley prior to military occupation. Many comments focused on a concern for health, the lack of data about soil and groundwater contamination, the insufficient analysis of past impacts to the culture, community and environment, and the lack of community input into the scope of the investigation. Many testified about the high cancer rate on the Wai'anae coast and possible links to toxics in Makua. As a result of the strong community response, the Army withdrew its FNSI and said that it would explore ways to address the community's concerns. However, community leaders are skeptical, believing that this is only a tactic to diffuse community anger, pointing out that the FNSI could be reinstated at any time. Malama Makua and Earthjustice filed another lawsuit during the thirty-day comment period after the FNSI was first released calling on the Army to do an EIS. Federal Judge Oki-Mollway rejected the Army's motion to dismiss the suit. She gave the Army until May 15 to make a decision whether it will stand by its FNSI and attempt to resume training, or begin the process for an EIS. From comments it received, the Army identified fourteen issues of concern, which it planned to discuss in small meetings with select community groups. Concerned that the Army was once again attempting to manufacture consent, community leaders called on the Army to discuss not only the issues of concern, but also the process. Hui Malama o Makua, a coalition of concerned organizations, held its own meeting on March 10 and invited the Army. At first hesitant, the Army agreed to attend and present its proposed set of issues and a process. The Army had to request permission to enter the hall. Many community organizations of the Wai'anae coast were represented. The community corrected the Army on the key issues of concern, and reiterated that doing an EIS was a necessary first step to addressing any of the points it had identified. Community members pointed out that the Army mentioned no plans for clean up of unused areas of the valley. Momi Kamahele, representing 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition of hula practitioners, demanded that the Army's study include a complete cultural impact statement that considers impacts on practices. Community leaders agreed to have three additional meetings with the Army to focus in on the specific issues of concern with the stipulation that these meetings would in no way replace doing an EIS. The issue discussions will take place Sunday, 3/18 at 3:00 pm, Saturday, 3/24 at 8:00 am and Sunday, 3/25 at 3:00 pm. All meetings will take place at the Wai'anae District Park, Multipurpose Center. The first will focus on environmental concerns, including health issues. The second will look at what the Army calls "community issues," and the third will examine cultural concerns. Meanwhile the bombs are silent in Makua. For more information, contact AFSC Hawai'i at (808)-988-6266 or Malama Makua at (808)-696-4677. |