Editorial
Terrorism war could involve Makua Valley

The Army is thinking about using the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to short-circuit a lawsuit that is preventing a return to training in Makua Valley. In its sense of urgency, the Army is on the right track.

Our sense is that a big slice of the community would support such a development, given the emotions that have galvanized the nation in the two weeks since the attacks.

State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Kalaeloa, Makaha), says a silent majority along the Wai'anae Coast has always supported the Army's use of Makua.

That may be so, but it's important to remember that the American Constitution is as much about protecting the rights of minorities as it is about majority rule.

Malama Makua's lawsuit in federal court seeks to force the Army to demonstrate that its activities in the valley would not damage the environmentally and culturally sensitive 'aina. The environmental impact statement process would take years and cost millions.

The Army halted training in Makua in September 1998 pending resolution of the community group's complaint. But it has worked hard to show its determination to become a reliable steward of these lands. Indeed, we wonder who Malama Makua thinks would do a better job of maintaining the valley were the Army to be removed.

The Army has made clear that every day without training in this valley is a day in which its troops become less proficient, less prepared, less likely to survive combat situations.

The events of Sept. 11, of course, and President Bush's subsequent declaration of a war on terrorism, have lent real immediacy to that concern. In light of the crisis situation, it makes sense that the Army should be allowed to resume training in Makua immediately, even as the lawsuit proceeds. If the court determines that the impact statement process is required, training should continue simultaneously — at least until the end of this national emergency.

At a time when defense officials are predicting casualties in the coming campaign, other considerations pale in the face of preparedness efforts.

That said, the Army must tailor training at Makua to preparations realistically aimed at the emergency ahead, and not simply a return to business as usual. Indeed, some of the large-force maneuvers that Makua traditionally hosted may have been rendered obsolete by the events of the past two weeks.