COURTESY U.S. NAVY A SEAL
Delivery Vehicle maneuvers near the USS Kamehameha, a now-decommissioned submarine in this handout Navy photo.
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The U.S. military is proposing to expand military use of public lands and waters of Hawaii for exercises beginning in 2019 (“Navy proposes tripling amount of SEAL training in Hawaiian islands,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. Opens in a new tab14) Opens in a new tab.
The preferred proposal includes the possibility of deploying and landing Osprey MV-22s during the events along with naval ships, manned and unmanned submarines and other craft. The exercises are expected to last from four to 72 hours.
The areas that have been proposed are important economically, fragile environmentally and highly used recreation areas.
As a swimmer, paddler and homeowner in Hawaii, the intrusion level of having Osprey aircraft, submarines, emergency personnel, Marines and more interacting with swimmers, paddlers, wildlife and tourists seems crazy and irresponsible.
The federal government already owns more than 500,000 acres in the state. Why would the military use the public lands and waters that host the tourists who make up the largest segment of our economy on some of the most pristine shoreline in Hawaii for their exercises?
Please take the time to review and make your own judgment. The draft environmental assessment is at go.usa.gov/xUnDC. Public comments are open until Dec 10.
Mary Spears
Kamuela, Hawaii island
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