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Hawaii residents denounce Stryker plans

HILO, Hawaii — The Army received strong and angry opposition to its plans to base a Stryker brigade in Hawaii during its fifth and final public meeting of the week.

Big Island residents on Friday expressed concern of the brigade’s potential impact on cultural sites and pollution.

“They didn’t even look for another site because they think the island is a dumping ground for the rest of the nation,” said Moanikeala Akaka of the Aloha Aina Education Center. “We Hawaiians deserve more respect from America.”

Comments were taken in writing, through court recorders and video recorders.

The Army held five scoping meetings to comply with a federal appeals court order from October. The ruling said the Army violated environmental law when it decided to base the Stryker brigade in the islands without first considering a variety of alternatives.

At Waiakea Intermediate School on Friday night, many told the Army to station its 4,000-man brigade anywhere but in Hawaii.

The Army wants to station the brigade at Schofield Barracks on Oahu and train at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.

“We’re trying to get as much comment, as much input from folks as we can,” Col. Michael Bishop said. “That’s why we’ve held the five meetings.”

Hilo resident Bunny Smith said the brigade would be tearing up an environment sacred to Hawaii.

“It’s one more way the U.S. will be imposing itself on other people, and the vehicles will be used to do murderous things in Iraq,” said Smith, holding a sign that read “Peace Now.”

Emotions flared more than once during the meeting and sometimes voices grew to an angry shout.

“The only reason they’re having these meetings is because they didn’t follow the law,” said Henry Horton, a Pahoa resident. “Now they come here and tell us we can’t speak.”

Meetings were also held in Waianae, Honolulu, Haleiwa and Waikoloa.