Category: Events & Action

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Oppose expanded sonar training in Hawaiian waters

The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports “Navy seeks input on its plan for sonar use” (June 10, 2012).  The navy has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for training and testing with sonar in Hawai’i and Southern California. The DEIS includes new projections that the sonar could cause more harm to marine mammals than previously thought:

The Navy acknowledges that its proposed test and training plan for sonar and explosives in Hawaii and California waters might unintentionally cause more than 1,600 instances of hearing loss and other injuries to marine mammals yearly.

[. . .]

Meetings are scheduled starting Tuesday on Kauai to allow the public to comment on the draft EIS for the proposed Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing plan, which covers the north-central Pacific area where the Navy testing and training would take place through 2019.

The environmental group National Resources Defense Council says the Navy’s new plan fails to adequately identify and assess alternatives, including ways to reduce the effects of explosives and sonar on marine mammals.

http://media.staradvertiser.com/images/20120610_navy.jpg

Navy spokesperson Matt Matsunaga is turning on the spin cycle:  the sonar being a necessary risk to fight terrorists and nations with submarines; sonar testing having been done in Hawai’i for decades;  and the navy has adequate mitigation measures.  He  even claims: “The fact is that sonar has not been linked to marine mammal deaths in Hawaii in the past and we don’t expect any in the future.”

I guess he disputes the 2008  beaked whale stranding on Molokai was caused by RIMPAC:

An environmental group is pointing a finger at sonar and the Navy’s Rim of the Pacific exercises in the stranding and death of a 15-foot Cuvier’s beaked whale Monday on Moloka’i, but the National Marine Fisheries Service said it doesn’t yet know what caused the juvenile male animal to enter the shallow water.

U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Mark Matsunaga, meanwhile, said it’s “premature, speculative and irresponsible to link naval activities to this stranding.”

[. . .]
The environmental law firm Earthjustice said the stranding came as the Navy conducted its multinational Rimpac exercise in Hawai’i waters.

Or maybe he forgot about the 2004 melon headed whale stranding in Hanalei during RIMPAC exercises:

The Navy has acknowledged that sonar was used in the hours before a pod of deep-water whales swam into Hanalei Bay. New information calls into question the Navy’s contention that the use of sonar during maneuvers off Kauai had nothing to do with driving a large pod of deep-water whales into Hanalei Bay during the Fourth of July weekend.

The information further validates a collection of evidence, which the Navy dismisses, that sonar presents a danger to marine life and buttresses arguments for some restraints.

About 200 melon-headed whales alarmed residents and marine biologists they were spotted in the bay about 7:30 a.m. July 3, swimming in a tight circle about 100 feet from the beach. These whales normally stay at least 15 miles off shore. Specialists and volunteers managed to herd the whales out to sea, but a newborn calf became separated from the pod and eventually died of starvation.

At the time, Rim of the Pacific naval exercises were being conducted about 20 miles northwest of Kauai, but Navy officials said no sonar had been used before the whales were seen in the bay. A spokesman told the Star-Bulletin that active sonar-tracking simulations had not begun until 8 a.m. while another told the Washington Post the exercises began at 8:30 a.m.

In the Garden Island reported that although NOAA could not reach a conclusive explanation for the 2004 stranding,:

“the active sonar transmissions” during that time were “a plausible, if not likely, contributing factor.”

“For them to come into the bay is definitely unusual behavior,” said Pacific Missile Range Facility spokesman Tom Clements.

[. . .]

There has been no evidence of any stranding taking place during RIMPAC’s month-long exercises of 2006 and 2008, Clements added.

Marine mammals — who use sound to communicate, travel and discover food — have attempted to avoid sonar in the past, according to NOAA documents. Four mass strandings — Greece in 1996, Bahamas in 2000, Madeira in 2000 and Canary Islands in 2002 — involved beaked whales (similar to melon-headed whales) and NOAA identified the “most likely” cause as “active military sonar.”

The Navy is holding hearings on the Draft EIS.  The Kaua’i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice distributed leaflets at the hearing.   Malu ‘Aina on Hawai’i island issued the following call to protest at the hearing on Thursday:

Malu Aina Center for non-violent education and action

Protest Navy War Plans!

On Thursday 6/14 from 5-8 PM representatives of the Navy will appear in Hilo to promote their Expansion Plan for war preparation exercises in the eastern Pacific and around Hawaii . While the topic is an EIS addressing potential harm to marine mammals, many see an opportunity to address U.S. war plans in a broader perspective, including the increasing use of Navy Seal Special Operation assassination squads and killer drones. Who are the real winners and losers in US military power projection in the Pacific basin and globally? Don’t be deceived that U.S. military power is about protecting “freedom and democracy/” It’s all about geopolitical control of oil and other resources to insure record corporate profits.

A demonstration with signs will be held from 4-5 pm, prior to the 5pm event start, and the attached flyer will be handed out. Anyone who wishes can participate. Bring a sign if you want but we will have plenty. We will be in front of the downtown Hilo Federal Bldg/Post Office, across Kalakaua Park from the meeting venue at the East Hawaii Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St.

A special thanks to friends on Kauai who did a similar protest and prepared the flyer.

Please pass the word on the Hilo protest. I encourage people to go to the Navy event and register your protest of U.S. war Plans. Give input in any way you see fit, i.e. how the money could be put to better use putting solar power on peoples homes, etc. Mahalo.

Jim

 

PS flyer attached—flyer


Navy Invites Public in Hawaii, San Diego to Open-House Meetings on Draft EIS

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Damon

The U.S. Navy encourages the public to attend open-house public meetings in Hawaii June 12-15 and on June 20 in San Diego to learn about and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for Navy training and testing activities in the Hawaii-Southern California Study Area.

The HSTT Draft EIS/OEIS takes a comprehensive look at the effects of Navy training and testing on the ocean environment in Hawaii and Southern California, incorporating the latest science. Four open house public meetings will be held in Hawaii and one in San Diego, Calif., to inform the public about the Navy’s Proposed Action and to obtain comments on the Proposed Action and alternatives, and the accuracy and adequacy of the Draft EIS/OEIS analysis. The public may arrive at any time during the open house public meetings.

There will not be a formal presentation; however, Navy representatives will be available to provide information and answer questions about the Proposed Action and Draft EIS/OEIS. The open house public meetings will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at:

Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Location: Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria
4319 Hardy St.
Lihue, HI 96766

Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Location: Maui Waena Intermediate School Cafeteria
795 Onehee Ave.
Kahului, HI 96732

Date: Thursday, June 14, 2012
Location: East Hawaii Cultural Center
141 Kalakaua St. Hilo, HI 96720

Date: Friday, June 15, 2012
Location: McKinley High School Cafeteria
1039 S. King St.
Honolulu, HI 96814

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Location: Marina Village Conference Center Starboard Room
1936 Quivira Way
San Diego, CA 92109

The Navy proposes to conduct training and testing activities primarily within existing range complexes and operating areas located in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands and off the coast of Southern California, Navy pierside locations in both areas and a transit corridor connecting the Hawaii and Southern California range complexes. The Proposed Action includes the use of active sonar and explosives. The HSTT Draft EIS/OEIS updates the science and analyses needed to continue critical Navy training and testing in the Study Area. The Draft EIS/OEIS combines multiple previous studies into one, thereby incorporating expanded areas and new science, platforms and activities.

Copies of the Draft EIS/OEIS are available to the public at www.HSTTEIS.com and at the following information repositories:

HAWAII

. Lihue Public Library, 4344 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766
. Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
. Wailuku Public Library, 251 High St., Wailuku, HI 96793
. Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720
. Hawaii State Library, Hawaii and Pacific Section, 478 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813

CALIFORNIA

. San Diego Central Library, 820 E. St., San Diego, CA 92101
. Long Beach Main Library, 101 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90822

The Navy is accepting comments throughout the 60-day public comment period, from May 11, 2012, to July 10, 2012. All comments must be postmarked or received online by July 10, 2012, for consideration in the Final EIS/OEIS.

Written comments may be submitted via the project website at www.HSTTEIS.com, in person at the public meetings or by mail to:

Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest
Attention: HSTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager – EV21.CS
1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, Floor 3
San Diego, CA 92132-5190

 

Visit the project website at www.HSTTEIS.com to learn more about the project.

 

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Osprey crashes, Japanese city rejects Osprey, and Marines want to bring Osprey to Hawai’i?

The Honolulu Star Advertiser reported that”Marines’ copter plan raises fear of noise” (June 12, 2012):

The public has nearly a month to weigh in on Marine Corps plans to station MV-22 tiltrotor Osprey and H-1 Cobra and Huey attack-utility helicopter squadrons at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, but any community opposition likely will boil down to a single topic, according to the secretary of the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board.

“In one word,” said Bill Sager, “it’s the noise.”

[. . .]

“Several people have expressed concerns to me,” he said.

While the Marines opened a 30-day comment period on their proposals last week, “People will have no way of evaluating the noise impact of an Osprey until they actually hear it,” Sager said.

It seems a  major concern for us in Hawai’i ought to be safety.   Today, an CV-22 Osprey crashed in Florida, injuring five: 

An Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed Wednesday during a routine training mission north of Navarre, Florida, injuring five crew members aboard, a military official said.

In April two U.S. troops died in an Osprey crash in Morocco.   Last March, a Marine pilot died and radioactive strontium 90 was released into Kane’ohe Bay when helicopter crashed on Ahu o Laka sandbar in the bay.

Okinawans have been strongly opposing the stationing of Osprey aircraft.  The city of Iwakuni on the main island of Honshu was proposed as a temporary base for the Osprey until facilities were available in Okinawa.  However, Japan Today reports that “Iwakuni balks at U.S. deployment of Osprey aircraft” (June 13, 2012):

Safety concerns after a recent crash have put plans to briefly deploy the U.S. Osprey aircraft to a city in Yamaguchi Prefecture on hold, officials said Tuesday.

Opposition to the plan to temporarily base the helicopter-like planes in the city of Iwakuni has been rising since the fatal crash in April left two Marines dead in Morocco.

Japan’s defense minister said Tuesday he may go to the city of Iwakuni to persuade local officials to accept the temporary deployment. But after meeting with ministry officials on Monday Iwakuni’s mayor said he needs more assurances that the aircraft is safe.

The Marine Corps released a Final Environmental Impact Statement on its proposals on the basing and statewide training of Osprey tiltrotor and Cobra and Huey attack-utility helicopter squadrons.   The 30-day comment period began Friday June 8.  The proposal is to expand the Marine Corps in Hawai’i :

  • 24 MV-22 Osprey aircraft
  • 18 AH-1Z Viper Super Cobra helicopters
  • 9 UH-1Y Huey helicopters
  • 1,000 Military personnel
  • 1,106 Family members

The Marine Corps helicopter Environmental Impact Statement can be viewed at:

  • Written comments on the EIS must be postmarked or received online by July 11 to become part of the official rec ord.
  • Comments can be made online by selecting the “contact” tab at www.mcbh.usmc.mil/mv22h1eis/ index.html or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific 258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100 Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134 Attn: EV21, MV-22/H-1 EIS Project Manager

 

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Hawai’i Delegation Report Back from the 8th Meeting of the International Network of Women Against Militarism

WOMEN’S VOICES WOMEN SPEAK
C/O HAWAI‘I PEACE & JUSTICE
2426 O‘AHU AVENUE
HONOLULU HI 96822
WVWS808.BLOGSPOT.COM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2012

Contact: Terri Keko‘olani 808-227-1621
Eri Oura 808-542-0348 eriola@gmail.com

Hawai‘i Women Share Experiences from Puerto Rico (Honolulu, O‘ahu). Four Hawai‘i women returned home recently after meeting with other members of the International Women’s Network Against Militarism (IWNAM) at the organization’s 8th annual meeting in Puerto Rico. They will share their experiences with the community Friday evening, June 1, 6:00 PM at the Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu.

The International Women’s Network Against Militarism (IWNAM) was formed in 1997 when forty women activists, policy-makers, teachers, and students gathered in Okinawa to strategize about the negative effects of the US military on their respective communities. The network—a collaboration among women active in their communities and who share the mission to promote, model and protect genuine security—includes women from the Philippines, South Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Guam, the continental United States, Puerto Rico and Hawai‘i.

“With the increasing militarism in so many of our communities, the opportunity to stand in solidarity with others who face issues similar to ours here in the islands,” said long time activist Terri Keko‘olani, “helps us to put our work into perspective.”

In addition to meeting around organization and strategic planning for the near future, the attendees participated in excursions to several storied places of Puerto Rico, such as El Yunqué Forest and a healing labyrinth in the mountainside village of Barranquitas. They participated in a protest against the building of a natural gas line in the city, met with survivors of domestic violence, former political prisoners, various women’s groups for peace, and others leading their communities in providing health screenings and services.
“Puerto Rico and Hawai‘i have much in common, as island economies that are dependent on importing basic necessities and vulnerable to unsustainable development and military interest,” Elise Davis, a public health educator, was particularly struck by the health concerns brought up by communities that experienced extensive military weapons testing. “Vieques has a 27% higher rate of cancer than mainland Puerto Rico, and no one can say with certainty that it is not related to the weapons testing.”

Communities, such as Ceiba, introduced them to the struggles to reclaim and reuse land no longer being used by the U.S. military. “There are so many similarities between Vieques and Kaho‘olawe,” shares Kim Ku‘ulei Birnie, a member of Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana. “They have Ceiba, Culebra and Vieques; we have Kaho‘olawe, Mākua and Pōhakuloa. We have so much to share with one another.”

The group also made presentations on the status of militarism in their respective countries, held at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, and at the museum on Vieques.

“There’s a strong partnership between the local communities and the university among the network in Puerto Rico. We met Puerto Ricos most involved and passionate activists and scholars who believe in the right to self-determination and actively resist further Americanization of their people and lands,” explained Eri Oura. “We were even greeted by the mayors of Barranquitas and Vieques.”

Terri Keko‘olani, Eri Oura, Elise Davis and Kim Ku‘ulei Birnie will share their impressions on Friday, June 1st, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu, 1212 University Avenue.

This is a pre-event to the Umematsu & Yasu Watada Lecture Series on Peace, Social Justice & the Environment. The public is invited.

Women’s Voices Women Speak is a group of Hawai‘i women who organize around Kanaka Maoli sovereignty and demilitarization in Hawai‘i from women’s perspectives.

www.wvws808.blogspot.com

Women for Genuine Security is the U.S.-based partner in the International Women’s Network Against Militarism.
www.genuinesecurity.org

# PAU #


Media documents can be downloaded here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-K0TmHJlFSUU19WaGk2WUZzeWM/edit

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Hawaiʻi premier of “Jam Docu Gangjeong” documentary about Jeju island struggle

Hawai’i Peace and Justice in collaboration with Hawai‘i Women in Filmmaking and DMZ Hawai’i / Aloha ‘Aina invite you to come see Documentary Film Shorts “Jam Docu Gangjeong” premiering for the first time in Hawai‘i will be shown at The ARTS at Marks Garage on March 17, 2012 6:30-8 PM in a free screening Light refreshment will be offered.   (You can download the announcement and press release.)

“Jam Docu Gangjeong” poster 3-17-12

Gangjeong Mar.17,2012 press release

When the South Korean government decided to build a naval base on the site of Gangjeong Village, a notice was sent out in 2007 and a quick vote taken (measured by applause) with a turnout out of a few dozen residents, out of a population of over 1000 and the measure approved. When the villagers realized what they had agreed to, they booted the mayor out of office, elected a new mayor who opposed the base and have been struggling against proposed naval construction ever since.  In a subsequent vote the same year 724 villagers voted against construction of the naval base. Gangjeong Village has been declared a UNESCO World Biosphere reserve, and Jeju island a UNESCO World Natural Heritage. Yet this conflict rages on and its fate may be decided soon. A group of filmmakers created a cluster of shorts that tell the story of the conflict at Gangjeong Village from different perspectives, but also portray the natural unique beauty of the coast of the northernmost semi-tropical island in the world. Banned from theater showings for 40 days by the Korean Film Commission, Jam Docu Gangjeong just recently received approval (January 31st) for showing in South Korea.

An update: Many of you are aware of the crisis on Jeju island at the village of Gangjeong, which was selected as the site for the construction of a South Korean naval base for use by the South Korean and U.S. military.  Most likely within the next 24 hours it will be decided whether 400,000 tons of explosives will be dropped on the islet of Gureombi just off the coast by Gangjeong village.  Please support the villagers struggling to protect their island from destruction!  Here is an action alert that came out today.

Action Alert:

Dear friends,

Thank you for taking action yesterday. Emails made a huge difference.

Today, Governor Woo of Jeju Island demanded postponing the blasting of the sacred Gureombi rocks, but the South Korean Ministry of Defense has refused to comply and is violating Korean law by moving forward in the project without the consent of the governor.

The blast is set for “around March 8,” Korea time. That’s Wednesday for those of us on this side of the Int’l. Dateline.

Several buses carrying dozens of riot police have been shipped in from the Korean mainland to handle protestors anticipated at the blast of Gureombi Rocks. The blast will require 400,000 tons of explosives.

Meanwhile, the S. Korean Ministry of Defense says, “The Jeju naval base is an important national project linked directly to national security. Unnecessary debates and social conflicts should be stopped for the construction to normalize as soon as possible.”

If you have not already done so, please send a letter asap to the following officials to STOP THE BLAST OF GUREOMBI ROCKS! STOP THE NAVAL BASE CONSTRUCTION! Also send your letter to the nearest South Korean embassy. (A list of embassies follows.)

SAMPLE LETTER:

To your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Korea, and to other heads of state, departments and consulates:

People from all over the world are shocked and disturbed that the government of South Korea would consider building a navy base on Jeju Island. It is a moral crime to cover Jeju’s fertile farmlands with concrete, and to destroy its rare, soft-coral reef. The Gangjeong villagers depend on their farms to live, and the planet depends on healthy reefs to live.

Jeju-do is sacred to all the people of the world, not only to the Korean people. Please do not allow Jeju Island to become militarized. If current tensions between China and the U.S. escalate in the South China Sea, if there is a naval base, the first target of attack by China will be Jeju Island. Please stop the militarization of Peace Island.

The South Korean government needs to listen to its people and not build a base to port US Navy Aegis missile destroyers and aircraft carriers. Please protect Peace Island and DO NOT BLAST THE GUREOMBI ROCKS! STOP CONSTRUCTION OF THE NAVY BASE!

Sincerely,

(your name here)

 

 

Mr. Kim Kwan-Jin

Minister, Ministry of National Defense

No. 1, Yongsan-dong 3-ga

Yongsan-gu, Seoul # zip: 140-701

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Tel: +82 2 748 1111 / +82-02-795-0071 (in the MND website above)

Fax: +82 2 748 6895 / + 82-02-703-3109 (in the MND website above)

E-mail: cyber@mnd.go.kr

http://www.mnd.go.kr/mndEng_2009/main/index.jsp

 

Mr. Lee Myung-Bak

President

1 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu

Seoul, 110-820

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Fax: +82 2 770 4751

Email: foreign@president.go.kr or president@cwd.go.kr or president@president.go.kr

 

Mr. Woo Keun-Min

Governor

The government of Jeju-do

312-1, Yeon-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Fax: +82 64 710 3009

E-mail: jejumaster@jeju.go.kr

 

EMBASSIES:

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN

New York

korea@un.int

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

Los Angeles

consul-la@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

Seattle

seattle0404@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

New York

info@koreanconsulate.org

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

Houston

con-hu@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

Boston

kcgboston@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

Honolulu

consulatehi@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

Atlanta

koreaconsulate@gmail.com

 

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

San Francisco

consularsf@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate Agency of the Republic of Korea

Hagatna, Guam

kconsul@guam.net

 

South Korea Embassy

Washington, DC

information_usa@mofat.go.kr

 

Consulate of the Republic of Korea

Tamuning, Guam

kcongen@kuentos.guam.net

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Impacts of Missile Defense in the Pacific, Asia and the World

The Kaua’i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice and the International Forum on Globalization present a thought-provoking evening with prominent peace activists. DOWNLOAD THE POSTER

Impacts of Missile Defense in the Pacific, Asia and the World

PMRF Missiles Destroy Environment, Democracy, Cultures

February 21, 2012

6:30 pm

Kapa’a Public Library

FREE

Speakers:

Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator of Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, US Air Force Veteran, currently with Veterans for Peace.

Dave Webb, National Chair of the UK Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Former space physicists with UK Ministry of Defence, and recipient of Pax Christi Award.

Lynda Williams, physics professor, singer, song-writer and actress.

Koohan Paik, Moderator

For More info: 808-822-7646

or Email: may11nineteen71@gmail.com

 

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ALONG THE AXIS OF PEACE: Global Resistance to U.S. Military Bases and Space-based Weapons

DOWNLOAD PDF OF THE POSTER

 

ALONG THE AXIS OF PEACE:

Global Resistance to U.S. Military Bases and Space-based Weapons

February 18, 2012

7:00 – 9:00 pm

Art Auditorium

UH Manoa

FREE

From Vandenberg, California to Kwajalein Atoll, Kaua’i to Jeju, South Korea, Okinawa to the UK, the U.S. global network of military bases and space-based weapons systems seeks to attain “full-spectrum dominance” over the planet. But grassroots movements are resisting through dynamic local-global networks of solidarity.

An international panel of activists and scholars will discuss the local, regional and global ramifications of the U.S. missile defense programs and expanding U.S. militarism in the Asia-Pacific region, resistance against U.S. military bases in Hawai’i, Okinawa, Korea and the UK and the far-reaching implications of the militarization of space.

  • • Lynda Williams is a physics educator at Santa Rosa Junior College in California and a board member of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.
  • Jamie Oshiro is an activist with the Hawai’i Okinawa Alliance, a group that conducts education and action in solidarity with anti-bases struggles in Okinawa as well as Hawai’i.
  • Dave Webb is the National Chair of the UK Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, a former space physicist for the UK Ministry of Defence and a recipient of the Pax Christi Award.
  • Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, an Air Force Veteran, and member of Veterans for Peace.
  • Kyle Kajihiro (Moderator) is an organizer with Hawai’i Peace and Justice and DMZ-Hawai’i / Aloha ‘Aina.

Contact: 808-988-6266 • info@hawaiipeaceandjustice.org • www.dmzhawaii.org

Sponsors: University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Department of English, Department of American Studies, and Department of Political Science, the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, Hawai’i Peace and Justice, and DMZ-Hawai’i / Aloha ‘Aina.

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Waikāne munitions cleanup feasibility study comments due 2/13/12

The Marine Corps clean up of unexploded munitions in the Waikāne ahupuaʻa is now at a critical stage where decisions will be made about the extent of clean up.  On January 12, 2012, the Marine Corps released its final draft of the Waikane Feasibility Study report. Comments on the proposed alternatives are being accepted  until February 13, 2012.

The website for minutes of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) and other reports and documents can be accessed here.

The full Feasibility Study that is open for review can be downloaded here.

The good news is that the Marine Corps has proposed to clean up the southern area of the site, which consists of the flat lands near the stream and the main farming and ancient taro fields, to a level suitable for unrestricted use.  This would allow the resumption of farming and cultural practices once the land is certified safe.  The safety fence would then be removed from this portion of the land.

The transfer of these lands out of the military is a separate process. The community must continue to press for the return of lands to the Kamaka family heirs.

Based on community feedback, the Marines have also proposed subsurface clearance of munitions in portions of the northern target area in the vicinity of the Kamaka family shrine and the Waikāne spring, which would allow for cultural access to these sites.  However, these sites lie in the most heavily contaminated areas. Subsurface cleanup surrounding the culturally significant sites would be an important objective for the community. The Marine Corps proposal is to clear a very narrow (8-ft wide) path to the cultural sites bounded by a 6-ft high chain link fence, which led one member of the RAB to comment that it would feel like a prison.

RAB member Emil Wolfgramm, a Tongan master story teller and cultural expert said that while he appreciated the Marine Corp’s effort, they were only dealing with the “plumbing”, i.e. the mechanical and practical methods of removing ordnance, while the Kanaka Maoli were concerned with the “water,” the spiritual and cultural content that generates meaning and restores life to the land.  He recommended that the process should begin with the reconsecration of the land so that the land can speak and direct what needs to be done.

The following changes need to be made to the current feasibility study and recommended plan:

1.  All accessible areas (less than 30 degree slope) in the Northern target and non-target areas should be surface swept and cleared of munitions.

2. The proposed fenced access corridors to the cultural sites are too narrow and obtrusive.  The Marine Corps should clear a wider path to the Kamaka family shrine and Waikāne spring to allow for more free access to the sites.

3. Procedurally, in advance of finalizing the maps, the Marines should conduct a site visit/cultural access to the shrine and spring with the Kamaka family and other cultural practitioners to determine what safety border would be appropriate and culturally sensitive.

Please submit comments on the Waikāne Impact Area Feasibility Study to the Marine Corps by February 13, 2012.

Comments may be emailed to:  randall.hu@usmc.mil.

Send a copy of the email to David Henkin, community-co-chair of the Waikāne Impact Range RAB: davidlhenkin@yahoo.com

Or mail comments to:   Commanding Officer, Attn LE (R Hu), Box 63062 Environmental, MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI 96863-3062.

The next Waikāne Impact Area Restoration Advisory Board meeting will be Wednesday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m. at the Waiāhole Elementary cafeteria.

 

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Waihopai Spybase Protest, January 20-22, 2012

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST

January 20-22, 2012

GO TO THE WEBSITE

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish.

The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.

First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.

Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.

How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.

Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.

CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW!
Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch.
E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

www.converge.org.nz/abc

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18th Annual Mākua Valley Christmas Vigil for Peace and Restoration of the ʻĀina

Fred Dodge of Mālama Mākua announced:

The 18th Annual Christmas Vigil for Peace and Restoration of the Aina will be held on December 25 at 3 PM  at the main gate of Makua Valley.

This wll be followed by a potluck celebration.

Please join us in celebrating this season of peace as well as showing aloha for this special aina.  All are welome.

Questions?  Contact Fred Dodge

Email: makuakauka@hotmail.com

Or call 696-4677.

Posted on

Save Jeju Island 생명평화 강정마을 Dec. 3: The 6th citizens’ nationwide action to revoke the Jeju naval base

Save Jeju Island 생명평화 강정마을

Dec. 3: The 6th citizens’ nationwide action to revoke the Jeju naval base

On Dec. 3, people nationwide gather to the Gangjeong village for the public culture festival for peace.

The main issue of the event is: SAVE THE GUREOMBI!

Event title: Toward Peace with Hope! Now it is the time for the Gureombi!

Venue: Gangjeong village

Date/ time: 2 to 8:30 pm, Saturday, Dec. 3 and 7am on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011

Sponsored by the Citizens’ nationwide action to save the Gureombi!

In detail

Dec. 3

1. Near the Gangjeong stream area: Peace message everywhere/ making banners

2. Four-way intersection(center of village): Catholic peace mass(11am)/ peace concert(4pm)/ main culture festival(7pm)/ photo exhibition

3. Village courtesy hall: food/fundraising marketing/ movie screening/ children’s drawing contest/ examination on FTA/ photo contest/ trip for the 10senaries of Gangeong, guided by the village elders(2pm)

4. Three-way intersection: Building Gureombi stone towers/ climbing to people’s watch tower/ sending peace message to the Gureombi/ fundraising marketing and food

12/3(토) 제6차 전국 시민공동행동의 날

http://www.kangjung.com/community/shop_community_view.html?boardNo=131017932850730000&start=0&uid=1935&index=0&field&search&category=131017932850730000

’12/3(토) 2시부터 제 6차 제주해군기지 백지화 촉구 전국 시민행동의 날이 강정마을에서 진행됩니다.

아래 웹자보를 보시면 아시겠지만, 이번에는 강정마을일대를 모두 보실 수 있도록 기획되었습니다.

이번 시민행동의 타이틀인 ‘희망을 안고 평화로! 이제는 구럼비다!’에 맞게 많은 분들께서 직접 강정마을로 오셔서 강정마을에 평화를 희망하며
힘찬 응원 부탁드리겠습니다. ‘

자세한 프로그램은 위 링크에서 보세용~~

http://www.facebook.com/events/260776477304249/

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