Army to reopen debate on Makua live-fire training
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
More than a year ago, a contentious public meeting over Army operations in Makua Valley drew nearly 500 people to a community center in Wai'anae.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Nearly 80 people signed up to speak at the meeting, which began at 3 p.m., ran into the night, and saw impassioned commentary for and against live-fire training in the 4,190-acre valley that many Hawaiians consider sacred.
Steep ridges ring Makua Valley, where the Army conducts its controversial live-fire exercises. The Army has agreed to revisit the debate over environmental impact.
That process is about to start all over again.
The 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Hawai'i announced it would hold public "scoping" meetings April 9 and 13 in preparation for the environmental impact statement that community members had previously sought.
"It's happening in the community and giving us an opportunity to have a voice," said Wai'anae resident Sparky Rodrigues. "So I'm hoping everyone turns out and voices their concerns."
Renewed support for the military after Sept. 11 and the threat of overseas war led community group Malama Makua in early October to put aside its opposition to live-fire training in the valley and settle a lawsuit it had brought against the Army.
As part of the settlement, in exchange for the right to conduct 37 company-size live-fire exercises in Makua over three years, the Army agreed to conduct an environmental impact statement.
The first of the live-fire exercises was held in October.
The Army previously had resisted the comprehensive environmental review as too costly and time-consuming. Officials estimated it would take at least two years.
In announcing the dates for the upcoming meetings, Col. John C. Woods, the 25th's assistant division commander for operations, said, "We have two obligations — to ensure our soldiers are trained and ready, and to protect the environment of the lands entrusted to our care."
The following dates and locations have been scheduled for public input:
- 6 to 10 p.m. April 9, Nanakuli High & Intermediate School cafeteria, 89-980 Nanakuli Ave.
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13, Wai'anae District Park multi-purpose building, 85-601 Farrington Highway.
Comments also will be taken in writing.
The Army said its goal is to include federal, state and local agencies and the public to identify potential impacts and key issues to be analyzed in the EIS.
The Army previously produced an environmental assessment that concluded there was "no significant impact" to the resumption of live-fire training, halted in 1998 after a series of fires.
Some community members argued the report did not fully consider alternatives to training in Makua. The Army countered that it had done so, and that the use of Makua remained essential for battle readiness.
A key difference now is that community concerns will determine the scope and focus of the EIS.
"(With the EIS) we get a chance to participate at the ground level, instead of at the end, so this scoping part is very, very important for the community to participate in," said Rodrigues, who is on the board of Malama Makua.
Rodrigues said he expects land use issues, and possibly sovereignty, to be raised.
"There's no limit," he said. "Definitely the impact of the explosives and unexploded ordnance and cumulative effects of training (will be an issue)," he said. "What will that add to the contamination that's at Makua?"
As part of the settlement, Malama Makua was awarded $50,000 to hire its own experts to examine findings.
David Henkin, an attorney with the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, said the Army will re-use material from its environmental assessment as it restarts the review process.
Earthjustice represented Malama Makua in its lawsuit.
"We're hopeful the Army is going to take seriously the community's comments and concerns (in the new analysis)," Henkin said.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
