Australia will not bombard Kahoolawe during the 1984 RIMPAC military exercises in Hawaiian waters.

The announcement was made yesterday by the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana at a news conference outside the State Capitol.

It follows a decision by Japan, announced last month, to refrain from bombing the small island seven miles southwest of Maui which has been used as a military target for years.

RIMPAC, which means Pacific Rim, is the name of the ocean military exercises held every two years in Hawaiian waters by the navies of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The decisions by Japan and Australia, for which the Ohana claims some credit, leave the United States, Canada, New Zealand and perhaps France to participate in this year’s multi-nation assault on a portion of the island.

Puanani Fernandez, an Ohana spokeswoman, said Australia decided against bombing the island because of the ongoing controversy between the U.S. Navy and the preservation group.

However, William Fisher, Australian consul-general in Hawaii, declined comment on why his government has chosen not to bomb the site.

"We have not, and won’t say why we are not participating in that portion of the exercise," Fisher said. "We are not going to interfere in U.S. politics no matter what the issue. It’s not our business." …

The Australian Navy will send 600 men in two destroyers, two submarines and a supply ship to RIMPAC, Fisher said.

Ohana officials said they expect confirmation from the New Zealand government that that country will not bomb the island.

New Zealand officials were unavailable for comment.

The Ohana said their lobbying has influenced those countries which have decided not to bomb Kahoolawe.

However, U.S. authorities said these decisions were made months ago and are unrelated to the group’s efforts. …

The Ohana believe the island is historically, archaeologically and spiritually significant to the Hawaiian culture.