Big Island residents protest Stryker
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai'i — Critics of the U.S. Army's plans to field a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Hawai'i turned out at a public hearing last night, with some Hawaiians worrying that the military is misusing the land, and others voicing concerns about environmental issues such as dust and noise.
The Army plans to base about 300 eight-wheeled Stryker armored vehicles on O'ahu as a fast-strike brigade, and shuttle them to the Big Island for regular training. If the plan wins final approval, the brigade could be operational by 2007.
As part of the conversion, the Army would buy about 23,000 acres adjoining Pohakuloa Training Area from Parker Ranch as a maneuver area for the vehicles.
It also would rebuild an old tank trail from Kawaihae to Pohakuloa, which soldiers would use to move the Stryker vehicles from the port to the training area.
About 45 protesters lined Banyan Drive in front of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at dusk, waving to passing traffic and holding signs that urged an end to military activities in Hawai'i. One was Hank Fergerstrom, a Hawaiian religious practitioner and spokesman for Na Kupuna Moku O Keawe, a council of Hawaiian elders.
Fergerstrom said the Pohakuloa area is sacred, and "for me, this is another military invasion, it's a blatant, in-your-face attack," he said. "It shows an incredible, blatant disregard for the culture of the Hawaiian people."
Fergerstrom dismissed those who support the project for the benefits it will bring to the local economy, saying that is only a good thing "if you call blood money good. I really would say it's worse than drugs. In fact, it actually stands counter to what the Hawaiian people represent, the spirit of aloha and all that."
For the Big Island, the $1.5 billion Stryker conversion means about $234 million in new construction as the Army upgrades Pohakuloa facilities or builds new facilities, including a new live-fire anti-tank range.
Last night marked the last scheduled public meeting on the environmental impact statement for the project.
About 200 people turned out for the meeting inside the hotel, including some who support the Stryker deployment.
Supporters included Herring Kalua, a Vietnam veteran who served with the U.S. Army's 4th Division, who thanked the military. Kalua urged the Army to be open with the community, and to respect Hawaiian cultural sites.
"We can talk everything about the military, but when the chips are down, our freedom is at stake, everyone in here sitting down would be fighting for our freedom," he told the crowd.
A total of 17 Big Island archaeological sites may be affected by the proposed construction of a "battle area complex," and nine archaeological sites are within the proposed anti-tank live-fire training range.
Keaukaha resident Lynn Nakkim said the residents of Waikoloa and Waimea have no idea what is in store for them with the Stryker conversion.
She predicted problems with noise from artillery, and dust clouds from 20-ton vehicles on maneuvers in a very dry area.
If the Stryker conversion is approved, the Army expects troops will train at Pohakuloa about twice as much as they do now.
Currently, up to 3,000 soldiers are deployed to Pohakuloa once or twice a year, Army officials said. With a Stryker brigade, up to 3,800 soldiers would be deployed three or four times a year.
Longtime peace activist Jim Albertini criticized private meetings by the military with business and other community leaders, and the use of police and security to "intimidate and distance ordinary people" from the process.
"Many people believe the Stryker Brigade is a done deal, that these hearings are a fraud, a facade to give the appearance of listening to the people when the decision has already been made," Albertini said. He cited a public comment by U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, that Inouye is assured a Stryker brigade will be based in Hawai'i.
The Army has extended the period for the public to submit comments on the EIS until Jan. 3. A final decision on whether the Army will proceed with the Stryker in Hawai'i could be made as early as April.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.
