Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 6, 1 June 2005 — Hawaiian groups appeal Stryker ruling [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian groups appeal Stryker ruling

By Sterling Kini Wong After receiving two setbacks from a federal judge in their attempt to stop the Army from bringing a Stryker Brigade to Hawai'i, three Native Hawaiian groups announced in May that they will continue their fight in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The groups - 'īlio'ulaokalani Coalition, Nā 'Imi Pono and Kīpuka - are appealing U.S. District Judge David Ezra's April 25 ruling that the Army did not violate federal environmental laws when it decided on Hawai'i for the $1.5 hillion project. Ezra also said they filed their complaint to late. The groups elaim that the Army did not properly

notify the public or consider alternative locations for the project, whieh would transform one of Hawai'i's two combat brigades into a quick-strike unit centered around the 19-ton Stryker combat vehicles. In addition, they are seeking an injunction to stop the project until their appeal is resolved. "The Army misled the public on the proper time to comment on transformation and admits that transforming the 2nd Brigade in Hawai'i

will destroy sacred sites," said William Aila, spokesperson for Nā 'Imi Pono. "We have no ehoiee but to seek justice at the next level." The transformation would station more than 300 Stryker vehicles in Hawai'i and require the acquisition of 23,000 acres in Pōhakuloa on Hawai'i island and 1,400 acres to expand Schofield Barracks. Ezra made a second ruling in late April against the same Native Hawaiian groups involving the Stryker Brigade. Ezra denied the groups' challenge of a settlement that would enable the Army to acquire the additional Schofield land. Previously, another federal judge approved the agreement, whieh would allow the Army to pay Campbell Estate $15.9 million for the land. With Ezra's rulings in its favor, the Army is now moving forward with its plans for the first construction phase of the project, whieh will begin in the fall. To fully staff the brigade, an additional 810 soldiers are scheduled to begin arriving in Hawai'i this summer. The Army plans to bring the first 24 Stryker vehicles to Hawai'i by May 2006 and have the brigade operational by 2007. Li

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Hawaiian and anti-militarization groups have been fighting the Army's plan to base 300 of the 19-ton Stryker assault vehicles in Hawai'i. Photo: Sterling Kini Wong