POHAKULOA
Maybe More Military Depleted Uranium than Thought
Retired Nuclear Geologist, Dr. Mike Reimer, PhD of Kona says “the amount of DU (Depleted Uranium) present at PTA (the military 133,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area located in the center of Hawaii Island) is likely greatly understated.” Dr. Reimer says “The amount (of DU) typically is estimated based on a probable number of DU spotting rounds used for practice. It is highly probable that not only were spotting rounds used but also dummy warheads constructed of DU.”
Dr. Reimer has sent a July 24, 2017 letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) asking them to investigate this matter. If indeed some dummy M-390 nuclear warheads, each constructed with more than 50 pounds of DU, were fired along with an estimated 2000 DU 8 ounce spotting rounds at Pohakuloa, “there could be upwards of thousands of pounds or more DU at PTA,” according to Dr. Reimer. And it should be noted that PTA has had decades of high explosives used in this same impact area which likely has turned much of this DU metal into oxide particles than can be carried long distances by the wind. According to Hawaii Doctor, Lorrin Pang, MD, inhaled DU oxide alpha particles are the most deadly form of radiation, causing various cancers and genetic damage. See the short video below where Dr. Pang explains the health dangers of inhaling DU oxide dust particles. The danger applies equally to troops who train at Pohakuloa, residents and visitors alike. https://vimeo.com/19153948)
On Wednesday, July 19th, the Hilo Hawaiian Civic Club sponsored an excellent forum on Pohakuloa held at Hawaii Community College. Speakers included Isaac “Paka” Harp, Dr. Lorrin Pang, and Ruth Aloua. Paka Harp started by showing a 17 min video “An Uncomfortable Truth”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzfEFlVQ0gU about the illegal overthrow and ongoing military occupation of Hawaii by the U.S. Dr. Pang emphasized that DU used at Pohakuloa raises ethical questions of exposing people to unknown risks without their informed consent. (See http://westhawaiitoday.com/5634673.html )
Ruth Aloua, who has lived and farmed in Waiki’i, the closest neighbors to PTA, spoke passionately from the heart about what the bombing of Pohakuloa means to her – for people, plants and animals, air, land and water, ancestors and future generations. She covered it all. You can view her inspiring talk here – = https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=cTpLp07vZF4&app=desktop
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