Posted on: Friday, July 9, 2004

EDITORIAL
Stryker unit brings opportunities, trials

The coming of a Stryker brigade to Hawai'i is in many ways an achievement of striking magnitude: as a boost for the state's economy, with 28 projects worth $693 million; as a reassertion of the state's vital role in the nation's global military strategy; as an impressive accomplishment by its congressional delegation.

Yet it is not without its challenges as 291 eight-wheeled Stryker vehicles compete with private cars on public highways and raise literally tons of dust elsewhere, as 810 soldiers are added to create the 3,500-member Stryker brigade, and as the Army acquires thousands of additional acres of private land for training.

The Army's 3,000-page environmental review frankly admits to significant impacts on cultural and biological resources, but the Army pledges to do its utmost to mitigate them.

The Army correctly claims to have been a good steward of the land in its care in recent years, but its personnel and our population must watch carefully to ensure that that standard doesn't slip. The potential for harm to the land from military activities is staggering; $400 million was not nearly enough to restore Kaho'olawe.

We're inclined to agree with Sen. Dan Akaka, who said he believes "a balance can be obtained between preserving Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources and meeting our military's training needs."

The need for better training facilities has taken on a new urgency. No one wants American soldiers in a combat zone without the best and most thorough preparation.

But it's everyone's job to ensure that the cost of that preparation, in terms of the environment and cultural heritage, remains reasonable and manageable.