HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.092 2006-2008 Is Radiation Blowing in the 'V'~ind
Over Hawaii Island?
On Tuesday, May 29~' there was a two hour protest against Senators Inouye and
Akaka' s recent pro $120 billion war funding vote, and ongoing military desecration
-and contamination at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). The protest took place at
Mauna Kea Park during the opening ceremony of the f,5 miles of the newly named
Ala Mauna Saddle Road that facilitates more live-fire training at PTA. During the
protest, a citizen radiation monitor recorded elevated radiation readings of 36 and 45
counts per minute (CPM). The maker of the monitor, Gammascout, says readings
over .5 Becquerel or 30 cpm are considered elevated and point to another source of
radiation above background. The wind on 5129 blew directly off the live fire training
areas of Pohakuloa, and dust devils visibly suspended topsoil in the air.
On Apri123, 2007 in south Kona another citizen radiation monitor recorded 93
cpm during live-fire Stryker training at PTA. That event made the KIN news. See
(httD://voutube.com/watch?v=L941USw54DQ) Following the Kona radiation reading
and confirmation of extensive radiation contamination at Schofield Barracks on
Oahu, which was exposed by citizen watchdog groups, the Army now says that
Pohakuloa may have radioactive contamination as well since similar and expanded
training takes place at PTA, Up to 14.8 million live-rounds are fired annually at PTA.
The Army intends to do radiological monitoring at PTA this summer. But having the
Army do the monitoring is like having the mongoose monitor the chicken coup,
PTA consists of 134,000 -acres. That's more than 4 times the size of
Kaha olawe. On Hawaii Island alone, there are 57 known present and former
military-sites fi need of clean up. Many of these sites have been left in hazardous
condition for decades. Where are all the Civil Defense and other government
radiation monitors to be brought out in the aftermath of a nuc{ear war? Shouldn't
they be brought out NOW and citizen volunteers trained and certified to use them #o
• monitor and document contamination that may be taking place in our midst? Military
beware: little brothers and sisters are watching you!
Military Clean-up N07' Build-up!
1. Moarn alt vietims of violence, 2.12ejeet war as a solatioo. 3. Defend eivil liberties. 4.Oppese all
discrimination: anti-Lsiamic, anti-Semitic, ete. S, Seek peace through justice in Hawai i and around the world.
Contact: Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action p.Q. Box AB'QM'a (Kurdstovrn},
Hawa~ i 96760, Phone (808) 966-7822. Email ia~interaac.net http:!/wvrw.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil (June 1, 2007 - 298th week) -Friday 3:30 - SPM downtowp Post Office,
Comm. No._~i R'~--
Ref. Ta CO"""
Ref. Dofe~