HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.032 2006-2008
EMILYNAEOLE
Councilmember
HAWAI7 COUNTY
COUNCIL
July 2, 2008
TO: Peter Hoffman, Chair
and Council Members
FROM: Emily Naeole, District 5
RE: Resolution 639-08
333ICdaueaAvenae, Second Floor
Ben Franklin Building
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Marling Address:
(Former Cowny Building
25 Aupunt Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96710
Attached is a proposed amendment to the above-referenced resolution. The
purpose of the amendment is to request that the U.S. Military provide for a liaison to
Hawaii County and semi-annual reports to the Council summarizing depleted uranium
monitoring, detection, and mitigation efforts.
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RESOLUTION NO.
STATE OF HAWAII
A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES MII,ITARY TO ADDRESS THE
HA?•ARnS OF DEPLETED URANIUM AT THE PbHAKULOA TRAINING AREA.
WHEREAS, in the early 1960's the United States Military used the Pohakuloa Training
Area for firing a formerly classified weapon, the Davy Crockett recoilless gun, which has created
the presence of depleted uranium (DU) in the impact area at the U:S. Army Garrison, Pohakuloa;
and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific
studies concerning the health risks from exposure to depleted uranium; and
WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a
half-life of 4.6 billion years; and
WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive alpha particles that can cause cancer
when inhaled or ingested and also cause kidney and lung damage; and
WHEREAS, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean-
up of munitions and other products or materials containing depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa
Training Area to protect all residents of Hawaii Island; and
WHEREAS, the United States Military is hereby requested, with urgency, to address the
potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area with the following [five]
seven-point plan:
1. Ordering a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and to all live firing exercises and
other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an
assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium already present;
2. Establishing a permanent, high-tech monitoring system with procedures to ensure air
quality control;
3. Establishing a citizen monitoring system to work closely with Military experts to
assure transparency and community confidence;
4. Hosting quarterly meetings to update and inform the public; [and]
5. Ensuring permanent funds are available for the monitoring program; and
6. Providing a liaison to the County of Hawaii to facilitate communication between the
United States Military and the County of Hawaii; and
7. Providing semi-annual reports to the Hawaii County Council summarizing depleted
uranium monitoring, detection, and mitigation efforts; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
U.S. Military will incorporate the five-point plan to address the potential hazards of depleted
uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of this
resolution to Colonel Howard Killian, Deputy Region Director, Army Installation Management
Command-Pacific; all members of the Hawaii State Legislature; Senator Daniel K. Inouye;
Senator Daniel K. Akaka; Congressman Neil Abercrombie, and Congresswoman Mazie K.
Hirono.
Dated at , Hawaii, this day of 2008.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
2
OUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCII. of the
County of Hawaii on
ATTEST:
AYES ~ NOES ~ ABS ~.EX
FORD
HIGA
HOFFMANN
IKEDA
JACOBSON
NAEOLE
PII.AGO
YAGONG
YOSHIMOTO
COUNTY CLERK CHAIItMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.