In an about-face, the Army last night allowed in the same anti-Stryker placards that kept some protesters out of public comment meetings Tuesday and Wednesday night, and led to the arrest of seven individuals on trespassing charges.

Today, four of the seven were arraigned in District Court on charges that were reduced from second-degree criminal trespass, a petty misdemeanor, to simple trespass, a violation with no jail time.

The four pleaded not guilty. A Dec. 16 trial date was set for the four — Kyle Kajihiro, Steve Tayama, Gwendolyn Niheu (also known as Gwendolyn Kim) and Bok Dong Yoon.

Last night, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai'i, Cmdr. Col. David Anderson said he talked with Wai'anae Coast activist William Aila at Aila’s request, and after discussing the issue with longtime O'ahu resident Bill Paty and others, decided to allow the protest signs at last night’s meeting at Makaha Resort Golf Club.

"Our concern has always been that they would disrupt the meeting and preclude those who wanted to testify from having that opportunity," Anderson said.

He said he was given assurances the Stryker opponents would act respectfully at the meeting.

"I basically said, 'Why is the Army afraid of signs?’ " Aila said. "What I told Col. Anderson was, 'You treat people with respect, you get respect.’ "

Chanting as they went, about 35 people — many carrying anti-Stryker placards with slogans such as "Stryker destroys cultural sites," and "No more tanks" — peacefully entered the meeting room for the third public comment meeting on a draft environmental impact statement for the $1.5 billion fast-strike brigade.

Many object to an increased military presence in Hawai'i and the Army’s proposed acquisition of 24,000 acres for the brigade.

The Army wants to base about 300 of the 20-ton armored vehicles on O'ahu. Training also would be conducted on the Big Island.

A number of people spoke in favor last night of the Stryker plan. Bill Prescott, 71, who described himself as "kanaka maoli" (indigenous Hawaiian), said the Army did a "terrific job" with the draft EIS.

"On behalf of all kanaka maoli who served in the armed services," Prescott said, "I want to extend our thanks and appreciation for all you (the Army) are doing to protect the environment while also providing the necessary training for those who may be put in harm’s way for our country."

Kajihiro said that they will attend the fourth O'ahu public comment meetings scheduled for Tuesday at Turtle Bay Resort. Two meetings on the Big Island Wednesday and Thursday will follow.

The Army said it chose those sites because the meetings would be able to run later than at schools or other public sites.

Gov. Linda Lingle also spoke out against the private-venue selection.

"The military is such an important part of our community," Lingle said. "I’ve been very supportive of their efforts, but I think they made a mistake in this case. It should have been in a public facility so people could have come in with their placards. But when you’re dealing with private property, they have certain laws and rules that apply, and you have to abide by them."