Army on Big Isle Still of Concern

Honolulu Advertiser

Army on Big Isle Still of Concern

Why hasn't the Pohakuloa Community Advisory Group (CoAG) met for seven months?

I welcomed the startup of CoAG, since I had given up after repeatedly requesting such a group through the Sierra Club eight years ago. Two years ago, the Army announced CoAG's startup at County Council, and invited me to join.

Pohakuloa Cmdr. Warline Richardson and staff person Steve Troute did a commendable job of recruiting members and listening to conflicting views during several meetings.

But the last meeting was canceled on less than a day's notice, and when I ask the Army about future meetings, no one replies.

Meanwhile, military actions continue to impact Hawaii Island. Decades-old military sites remain in hazardous condition. Unexploded ordnance turns up on land and in near-shore waters. Questions linger about depleted uranium and other forgotten hazards. Stryker training pre-empts thousands of acres of agricultural land. It brings noise, increased fire risk, soil compaction and erosion, and multiple construction projects that may destroy cultural sites. More military aircraft and more runways may impact Kona.

Why can't the Army find time for CoAG?

Cory Harden
KU I KA PONO
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