HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.204 2024-2026From: Gabrielle Igarta
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2025 8:34 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in Support of Res. 234-25
Aloha Committee Members,) strongly support this resolution.US Military training at Pbhakuloa has
already caused serious harm -burning nearly 20,000 acres, contaminating the land, and threatening
endangered species. Beneath this area lies a major aquifer that supplies fresh water to Hawai'i Island,
and the military's track record shows they are not equipped to protect it. We have already seen what
happens when the military is left to their own devices to "clean up" here on Oahu, with Red Hill. It takes
community initiative to finally say enough is enough. There is also serious concern about depleted
uranium left in the soil, which can become airborne during exercises and has known health risks. The
half life of uranium far exceeds that of a single human life, so if the directive to clean up and safely
contain it is not rigorously applied now then there is dramatically increased risk of exposure for
generations to come. This can cause birth defects, serious illness, and death in humans and animals
alike.Pohakuloa is a wahi pana- a sacred place with deep cultural and ecological significance.
Continued military use is incompatible with itsconservation status and the values of aloha 'aina. Please
support this resolution to protect the land, water, and people of Hawai'i.Mahalo,
Gabrielle Igarta
Kapolei
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