The editorial, “All eyes on Pohakuloa” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, May 25), raises questions as to what authorizes the named Hawaiian cultural practitioners to speak for all of us Hawaiians, and what specific cultural practice do they need to do at Pohakuloa Training Area that cannot be done elsewhere.

Pohakuloa played an important role in preparing our military for combat during World War II — a war in which more than a 150,000 of our military died protecting our islands and people. We in Hawaii all supported their training there.

As for taking care of the training area, our military has always given it top priority to ensure our troops will be able to achieve the combat skills required. However, making the area completely safe from deeply embedded unexploded ammunition would be expensive and its success doubtful.

We, Hawaii’s Veterans of Foreign Wars, recommend awarding the Pohakuloa Training Area to the federal government.

Bill Punini Prescott

Nanakuli

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