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BRUCE ASATO / 2006
Schofield Barracks soldiers conduct blank-fire exercises deep in Makua Valley. Live-fire training was halted in Makua in 2004, but had been set to resume. This week, however, Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. “Randy” Mixon, head of the U.S. Army in the Pacific, said the Army will no longer pursue live-fire training in the valley.
The Army is asking the public to comment on its plans to study marine life near Makua Valley where commanders want to resume live-fire training.
U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii said in a statement Tuesday the court-ordered study will determine whether military activities at Makua Military Reservation have contributed to or will contribute to the contamination of the area’s marine resources.
The study will examine whether proposed Army training poses a health risk to area residents who gather food from the ocean.
The service is accepting public comments by email and mail through March 22.
The plan is available on the U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii website and at Waianae, Kapolei and Waialua public libraries.
People may also comment at a Feb. 20 public meeting at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School.
