Ewa Senator Wants Transparency On Military’s West Loch Plans
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/minority-leader-wants-transparency-on-militarys-west-loch-plans/
Blast Arc Calculated Using Professional Munition Software Shows West Loch Or Ammunition Ship Explosion Radius
Senate Minority Leader Kurt Fevella has written a letter to the Navy expressing concerns about the handling of outreach efforts about the relocation of the Army’s current munitions stockpiles.
The proposal, based on findings from a 1995 land use study commissioned by the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, would move a Navy-run facility at Lualualei on the Leeward side to West Loch.
The military argues it will improve public safety by simplifying logistics, storing ordnance in newer facilities and requiring less transportation of explosive munitions on public roads.
But Ewa neighbors of the project, including many in Fevella’s district, feel the stockpiles put them at risk.
After a public outcry the Navy extended the public comment period but many residents felt the military didn’t do enough to inform the public and are still frustrated that the Navy seems unwilling to hold public hearings either in-person or online.
“The residents and public have the right to know what is happening in their immediate area and information regarding this should not in placed in obscure legal notice sections in publications where residents of our affected communities … would never read or see.”
West Loch was the scene of a deadly World War II munitions handling disaster during the preparations for the Battle of Saipan that was covered up by the military until the 1960s. Fevella referenced the tragedy in his letter, noting that while the Navy officially tallied 163 killed and 396 wounded “this total doesn’t account for Marine or Army stevedores who were present.”
Construction of the new Army storage facilities isn’t set to begin until 2022. Moving the Army’s munitions is part of a larger move from Lualualei to consolidate storage in West Loch. The Navy is also planning on building 24 new box storage magazines at West Loch and on Aug. 10 it awarded Honolulu construction contractor Nan Inc. $33.5 million to build them.
Associated Press: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
https://apnews.com/article/honolulu-archive-harbors-hawaii-ff34cced43101243efcf0f98509a294a
Navy Times: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
Military.Com Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
USNEWS: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
Defense Communities: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
https://defensecommunities.org/2020/09/pearl-harbor-munitions-depot-expansion-raises-local-concerns/
Hawaii Tribune Herald: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2020/09/17/hawaii-news/state-briefs-for-september-17-3/
West Hawaii Today: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
News Break: Pearl Harbor munitions depot expansion concerns residents
