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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2001

Pointing to the necessity of ensuring national security in the wake of September 11's terrorist attacks, Native Hawaiian activists and the U.S. Army last week came to an agreement over munitions training at a sacred and cultural site.

The Army will resume live ammunitions training at the Makua Valley Military Reservation on the island of Oahu but on a limited scale, according to the agreement announced last Thursday. Exercises will be restricted to a 457-acre part of Makua 16 times this year, nine the next and 12 in the following -- a vast reduction of training that had occurred up to 300 times a year in the past.

The Army has also agreed to conduct a greater environmental impact study of the area, a habitat for endangered species and numerous Native Hawaiian sites. Special access will be allowed for ceremonial purposes, requiring the Army to clear away any unexploded devices for civilian access.

The concessions represent a major victory for the Malama Makua, a Hawaiian community group that has challenged the training. Citing archaeological, environmental and health impacts, the group had been pushing the Army to study the issue in depth.

In 1998, the group won a temporary respite when the Army suspended exercises after a fire broke out in the range, torching 800 acres. Malama Makua used the opportunity to file a lawsuit seeking study of effects on heiau (temples) and ko`a (fishing shrines), as well as 30 endangered species.

Malama Makua again scored a win when a federal judge ordered the Army not to resume training as it had planned. There was evidence the area could be harmed and the Army's argument that exercises were needed for national security fell flat, said U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Molloway in July.

"The Army cannot now come into this court and say that national security will be jeopardized by a delay of a few months," Molloway wrote in a 52-page ruling to suspend training until a full trial could be held.

With America's response to terrorism of heightened concern, however, a trial -- scheduled to begin October 29 -- could have changed Molloway's mind. For its part, Malama Makua recognized the national security implications.

"Malama Makua will not stand in the way . . . during this time of national crisis," David Henkin, a lawyer for the group, said in a statement.

The Army issued a statement praising the agreement, also raising the need for exercises in the light of the terrorist attacks. Along with its study, the Army will dedicate a $50,000 community grant to help guide the process.

"We appreciate that the Army will prepare an environmental impact statement and start the process of addressing legitimate concerns . . . about threats to our culture, our precious and unique native ecosystems," added Sparky Rodrigues of Malama Makua.

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