HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0118.005 2008-2010POHAKULOA HEALING CEREMONY AND PROTEST
Aloha Kakou,
Approximately 50 Big Island residents gathered on Saturday, Jan. 31st from LOAM ti111PM at Mauna Kea Park,
adjacent to the 133,000-acre military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). Troops were present at PTA but no live-
fire was observed. The purpose of the gathering was twofold.. First to conduct-a healing ceremony for the'aina
and second, to protest the ongoing. military bombing, radiation contamination, desecration and occupation of the
Hawaii Kingdom. People brought ho'okupu (offerings) for the healing ceremony. Ali'i ai Moku, Paul Neves, of
the Royal order of Kamehameha, brought his Ha1au who offered ole and hula as part of the ceremony. Kahko
Kanaele, a member of the Royal order and along-time activist taught chants to those gathered about the
importance of pulling together and bringing things to light. A number of people shared personal stories and
thoughts on resistance. Protest signs at the gathering read: "Aloha'Aina --A Call to Action," "Stop the
Bombing," "End U.S. Occupation," "Make Peace--Work for Justice." "The Kingdom Lives -Return Ceded
Lands." Throughout the gathering there was obvious military/police surveillance from vehicles in the park and
adjacent military areas.
Throughout the ceremony and protest strong trade winds were blowing from FTilo so our gathering was
fortunately upwind of the PTA base impact area. No above background readings were noted on several radiation
monitors present unlike May 29,-.2007 when winds were blowing directly off the PTA impact area toward Mauna
Kea Pazk and citizen monitors recorded several spikes 4 times background levels.
People who came from Kona noted there was an American flag waving pro-war group of about 20 people at
the PTA main gate azea, located about 1 mile from Mauna Kea Pazk. Among those present was Andrew Walden,
editor of the right wing now defunct Hawaii Free Press newspaper.
Following the healing ceremony, speakers, and a pani of shared food at Mauna Kea Pazk, several people
carved the protest to the PTA main gate area. Protest signs were set up directly in'front ofthe P.TA main gate,
.across Saddle Road from the Pro-wardemonstration. Ho'okupu from the healing ceremony were left on'the
triangle piece of land fronting the PTA main gate. Some exchange of thoughts took place-across .Saddle Rd, but
.all went peacefully.
The West Hawaii Today, Tan. 31st newspaper ran an article saying that Army Col. Howard Killian will be
giving a presentation to the Hawaii County Council Intergovernmental Relations Committee at 10:30AM on
Tuesday, Feb. 3rd. on depleted uranium atthe Pohakuloa Training Area. The article said, "the military recently
completed tests to determine whether any of the material poses a threat to army personnel at PTA or residents.
Although the tests won't be made public until spring, military officials recently reported the tests determined no
danger exists."
This kind of statement about "no danger exists" is a military medical judgment. The military keeps repeating
"no danger" with no data available for examination. We demand data on the radiation contamination; control
data, etc. We want to know the extent of the radiation contamination and if DU penetrators have been used at
PTA which we highly suspect. The military is tryingto focus ONLY on DU Davy Crockett spotting rounds from
the 1960s. The military has a proven track record that it cannot be trusted to tell the truth.
JOIN IN A PROTEST AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL BUII,DING 9:30 AM ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
3RD: TO CHALLENGE COL. KILLIAN ON HIS STATEMENTS OF NO DANGER.'
Jim Albertini
Malu `Aina•Center for.Non-violent Education & Action P;O.Box AB Kurtistown,.Hawai'i 96760
phone: 808-966-7622 email: JA@interpac.net Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina:org
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