TODAY’S THE LAST DAY TO SAVE HAWAIIAN PARADISE & THE PACIFIC!


Cathy Garger


The US Navy has stated its plans to wage increased military operations on the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific Ocean with increased “war games” and military exercises in order to expand military capabilities.

Comments are due today, September 17, to oppose Alternative Actions regarding a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawaii Range Complex. These Alternative Actions will have an adverse, damaging impact upon the Hawaiian Islands – the Hawaiian people and all forms of marine mammals and sea life including fragile and Endangered Species such as: humpback whales, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, Hawaiian stilt a’eo, and laysan albatross in the Pacific and on/around the Islands of: Kauai, Niihau, Kaula, Oahu, and Hawaii* … within a total area of 2.1 Million square nautical miles in the Pacific Ocean.

Approximately 150 weapons projects of numerous varieties are proposed – including radioactive materials (such as Depleted Uranium), electronic warfare, mines, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, torpedoes, “weather rocket”, land demolitions, “Explosive Ordnance Disposal”, anti-submarine warfare, electronic combat, live-fire (real ordnance) exercises, high frequency, “chemical stimulant” weaponry, and newer “exotic” weaponry such as “Directed Energy” (such as lasers or particle beam weapons) and “Advanced Hypersonic Weapon” (AHW -- weighing less than 40,000 pounds and measuring less than 35 feet… envisioned as a boost-glide weapon capable of attacking targets up to 6,000 kilometers away in less than 35 minutes, according to defense officials.).1

There is a Draft Environmental Impact Statement with public comments due today, September 17, that affects the Hawaiian Islands – the Hawaiian people and all forms of marine mammals and sea life including Endangered Species: humpback whales, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, Hawaiian stilt a’eo, and laysan albatross in the Pacific and on/around the Islands of: Kauai, Niihau, Kaula, Oahu, and Hawaii* … within 2.1 Million square nautical miles in the Pacific Ocean.

Live fire exercises (non-inert, actual munitions) will be used. See list beginning on page 2-17:
http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/Docs/Vol1_Part4of11_ch2_HRC_DEIS_JULY07.pdf

If all proceeds as planned according to the Hawaiian Range Complex Alternative Actions,
See Volume One: http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/EIS.aspx damage caused to people living in Hawaii, to marine life - and the Pacific Ocean itself - will be unfathomable! There are even many risks acknowledged in this report that are deemed as acceptable, such as the destruction of beaches, fish kills, and possible missile accidents that will affect humans, marine life and natural vegetation critical to ecological survival of all life forms on the Hawaiian Islands and in the Pacific.

Today, Monday, September 17, 2007 is the last day to submit comments. If a good number of people write today, perhaps this action could be prevented – or at least delayed. It only takes a few minutes to submit a public comment online or send an email today stating the following:

There should be NO ACTION-ALTERNATIVE taken on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawaii Range Complex! State your reasons for opposing the two Alternatives which are certain to have detrimental impact upon the Hawaiian people, the Pacific Ocean, and all life forms.

Common objections include objections to: the war military operations buildup/testing program, the high use of energy, the approval process for these actions, the cumulative impacts upon human and animal health, the socio/economic injustice to the native Hawaiian Islanders who live in this militarized, impacted area, radioactive and chemical hazards and problems associated with storage and waste products, the permanency of radioactivity from Uranium munitions in the environment (U-238, for example, has a half-life of 4.5 Billion years), destruction to natural, pristine areas and natural resources and vegetation, the erosion of air quality and water quality of the sea, the financial taxpayers’ burden of these military operations, impact on Hawaiian tourism and desirability as a place to live, and the risks to health and safety of humans and all impacted life forms.

Whether or not you live on the West Coast, remember that our air, our wildlife, and our oceans are all interconnected in the ecological system we all share. In other words, the damaging effects of these weapons and military “war games exercises” are not merely a problem for Hawaiians and those living near the Pacific Ocean alone!

*Affected areas on the Hawaiian Islands (not including the Pacific Ocean):
* Kauai, Niihau, Kaula, Pearl Harbor Oahu, Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point/Kalaeloa Airport Oahu, Marines Marine Corps Base Hawaii Oahu, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows Oahu, Air Force Hickam Air Force Base Oahu, Army Kahuku Training Area Oahu, Makua Military Reservation Oahu, Dillingham Military Reservation Oahu, Wheeler Army Airfield Oahu, K-Pier, Kawaihae Hawaii, Bradshaw Army Airfield Hawaii,
Pohakuloa Training Area Hawaii

To read the Hawaii Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement and learn more: http://www.govsupport.us/hrc

To write an email opposing the proposed Alternative Actions, address the email to: deis_hrc [at] govsupport.us

To submit your comments opposing the proposed Alternative Actions online: http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/publicComments.aspx

There is more information below. Please take a few minutes to make your feelings known about the proposed changes to military operations in the Hawaii Range Complex, and then pass this around quickly and widely – thank you!

Cathy Garger

To learn more about the proposed Alternatives to the Hawaii Range Complex:
http://www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/EIS.aspx

Monday is Public Comment Deadline for Draft EIS
By U.S. Pacific Fleet, Public Affairs, 9/14/2007 12:27:17 PM

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, is the deadline for public comments on the Navy’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for the Hawaii Range Complex.

The draft impact statement studies the environmental impacts of Navy training and research, testing, development and evaluation activities, which have been conducted for decades, around the Hawaiian Islands. The Navy considers the Hawaii Range Complex a unique and vital area for training Sailors before they deploy into harm’s way.

Cmdr. Richard Martel is the executive officer of the cruiser USS Lake Erie, which returned to Pearl Harbor from deployment on Sept. 4. He said, "The training conducted – such as underway fuel replenishments, helicopter qualifications, missile exercises and maneuvering tactics and active sonar for undersea warfare training -- in the Hawaiian waters operating area helped Lake Erie Sailors conduct numerous missions while deployed in support of the global war on terrorism.

“We are very fortunate to have been able to complete a successful deployment and have everyone return safely from our deployment to the Western Pacific,” Martel said. “The people of Hawaii, local and state representatives make the training opportunities possible and the friends and families of all Sailors are grateful."

The draft statement and more information about the Hawaii Range Complex are available online at http://www.govsupport.us/hrc The Navy held a statewide series of public hearings in August to gather public comments about the draft. Written comments may be submitted by Sept. 17, 2007, via:

Mail to Public Affairs Officer, Pacific Missile Range Facility, P.O. Box 128. Kekaha, HI 96752

or mailto:deis_hrc [at] govsupport.us

The project Web site, http://www.govsupport.us/hrc

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?b9f6145b-320b-4e4b-9221-26466977d4f1

“War Declared On Hawaii” http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_cathy_ga_070912_war_declared_on_hawa.htm

“TGI Article 12 – The Navy’s Pacific Plan”
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/

“No Aloha for Sonar Plan Found at Maui Meeting” http://www.mauinews.com/news/2007/8/28/04sonar0828.html

Notes:
1. www.military.com/features/0,15240,121633,00.html