HDR-H radar wrong for lots of reasons
The new Hawai‘i Military Land Use Master Plan produced by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, projecting military land use for the next 25 years or more, has been issued.
Besides the four recognized Army leases; Pohakuloa, Makua, Pohanoho and Kahuku, currently under environmental review, there are 15 other leases and easements based on the same 65 years for one dollar formula. All leases, including the Navy’s lease of PMRF, expire in August 2029.
Of note here on Kaua‘i, some leases and easements encompass vast ocean areas off Na Pali, and 7,445 acres of land adjacent to PMRF. The Plan appears as HMLUMP FINAL 30APR2021.pdf. Two quotes from page 7 of the document:
“Current zoning laws and airspace regulations don’t provide a sufficient buffer to permit a full range of military activities.”
“The construction and operation of eco-tours, ridgeline zip lines, and residential communities pose a risk to mission as it hinders…the joint force from…utilizing the land and its associated airspace to the fullest extent.”
Militarization is everywhere in our lives, and it’s not static. Explaining it has been described as like trying to explain water to a fish. Even more restricted access to hunting, gathering and meeting places seem inevitable under this INDPACOM plan, should it be carried out.
Another quote: “of concern is the…need for resiliency in…energy security and environmental resiliency due to climate change impacts, including shoreline erosion, sea-level rise and increased storm intensity and frequency…”
Someone, please explain this to our congressional delegation, who continue to promote the $2 billion HDR-H radar that would burn quantities of oil for its operation and would be built in the tsunami zone only 300 yards from the beach.
Kip Goodwin, Kapa‘a
Looks like its time to form a Friend of Barking Sands Beach organization similar to the very successful Friends of Maha’uleapu initiative and launch a vigorous campaign to help protect and preserve the natural beauty of this incredible Kauai asset.
Excuse me but I recall that Congress and the Pentagon denied funding for the program, again…. by the time it does receive the billions of dollars to build and employ it would be obsolete, like yesterday…. right? Let’s put our pressure on the military to gth outta red hill and offshore tankers at Pearl harbor…. that’s almost a done deal thanks to Sierra club and the woke people who have been in court for damages from the leaks for years.
I like the idea. Not only for safety reasons, but the military brings in other fun stuff to the community. Number is recreational activities. Two for the hobby goers a place to fly their drones, and model airplanes, or rockets. And three, a chance for better relations with the community would create a island wide involvement.
For these, I’d say a go on the military.
If you like the military so much maybe you should move to Oahu
The above name…
Number one…