honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008

WWII munitions found throughout Maui County

Maui News

New reports by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say an undetermined amount of unexploded munitions from World War II-era practice bombing runs and target exercises remain in Maui County.

Draft reports for four former target zones say a safety risk remains more than 60 years later, although the potential harm to the public appears to be fairly minimal.

Four zones were examined since last fall by an independent team of private contractors: Kama'ole Beach in Kihei, Kanahena Point at Keone'o'io, Kanounou Point at Honokohau and Manele Bay on Lana'i.

The Corps of Engineers recommended further review of two other areas — Kanahena Point in the state 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve and Kanounou Point — after the discovery of World War II-era practice bombs and bullets there.

"The Army remains committed to ensuring the health and human safety of the local community and the environment and stresses that munitions encountered by the public should never be touched or handled," said Joseph Bonfiglio, chief of public affairs for the Army Corps' Honolulu Engineer District at Fort Shafter.

There are more than 9,900 such areas nationwide. Cleanup projects are planned or under way at more than 3,000 sites, Bonfiglio said.

The federal government has spent about $4 billion on the program to date and expects to spend nearly $19 billion to achieve its goal.

Parsons Corp., an engineering consulting firm with expertise with unexploded ordnance, conducted the inspections on Maui. The surveys included some soil sampling, but did not recommend any large-scale ordnance removal efforts.

However, when the team in November found a .50-caliber round and two 155 mm shrapnel projectiles at Kanahena, an Army ordnance disposal team was called in from Fort Shafter.

The point's 989 acres were a bombing target and drill area for underwater mines from 1945 to 1946. The military practiced firing small arms, .50-caliber rounds, practice bombs and 6-inch explosive projectiles.

The report states that it is highly likely that more explosives remain in the cracks and crevices at Kanahena.