The first-rate article, “Native Hawaiians are still waiting” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 27), delved into the military’s failed pledge to remove unexploded bombs in Waikoloa and other Big Island areas in order to meet housing obligations to Native Hawaiians. The record has been very poor.
Yet, so many questions remain.
One, what are the best available technologies to identify and remove the dangers? What does removal cost? Are we being misled and slow-rolled by the military because this just isn’t a priority?
Two, lots of building has occurred above non-Department of Hawaiian Home Lands areas identified as possibly still containing unexploded ordnance in locations like Waikoloa, once used for military exercises. What is the record for serious accidents on those lands?
Three, what safety and insurance liability standards are Hawaiian Homes using so that beneficiaries can obtain the loans needed to build on these lands?
As powerful as the article is, it falls short of fully explaining the near-standstill on keeping our promises to the native people of our great state. We must dig deeper.
Chuck Freedman
Kaimuki
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