Threat level low, but two sites on Maui might merit further cleanup

By CHRIS HAMILTON, Staff Writer
While the Allies were vanquishing the Nazis and America focused on the Pacific War, the Hawaiian Islands became a major staging area and training ground for thousands of Army and Marine amphibious units and naval aviators.

According to new draft reports by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an undetermined amount of unexploded munitions from practice bombing runs and target exercises remain in Maui County.

Draft reports for four former target zones say a safety risk remains more than 60 years later, although the potential harm to the public appears to be fairly minimal.

Four zones were examined since last fall by an independent team of private contractors: Kamaole Beach in Kihei, Kanahena Point at Keoneoio, Kanounou Point at Honokohau and Manele Bay on Lanai.

The Corps of Engineers recommended further review of two areas after discovery of World War II-era practice bombs and bullets: Kanahena Point in the state Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve and Kanounou Point.

“The Army remains committed to ensuring the health and human safety of the local community and the environment and stresses that munitions encountered by the public should never be touched or handled,” said Joseph Bonfiglio, chief of public affairs for the Honolulu Engineer District at Fort Shafter.

“If you come across unexploded ordnance, remember to follow the Three R Rule. Recognize — you may have seen ammunition. Retreat — do not touch it. Report — tell the police or an adult.”

The reports comply with a 1986 Formerly Used Defense Sites Program. The U.S. Department of Defense compiled a list of 51 such sites across Hawaii. So far, none have been scratched off the list.

There are more than 9,900 similar areas nationwide. Cleanup projects are planned or under way at more than 3,000 sites, Bonfiglio said. The federal government has spent about $4 billion on the program to date and expects to spend nearly $19 billion to achieve its goal.

Parsons Corp., an engineering consulting firm with expertise with unexploded ordnance, conducted the inspections on Maui. The surveys included some soil sampling, but did not recommend any large-scale ordnance removal efforts.

However, when the team in November found a .50-caliber round and two 155 mm shrapnel projectiles at Kanahena, an Army ordnance disposal team was called in from Fort Shafter.

The point’s 989 acres were a bombing target and drill area for underwater mines from 1945 to 1946. The military practiced firing small arms, .50-caliber rounds, practice bombs and 6-inch explosive projectiles.

The report states that it is highly likely that more explosives remain in the cracks and crevices at Kanahena.

“Therefore, there is a risk of an explosive hazard at this MRS (munitions response site),” according to the Kanahena report.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has restricted access to parts of the Ahihi-Kinau reserve for two years to analyze the condition of the resources. The munitions discovery had nothing to do with the idea of closing the park, said reserve Ranger Matt Ramsey.

Old munitions have been found there for years. The study’s findings accentuate the need for visitors to stay on well-marked and traveled paths in the park, he said.

Also in 1945 and 1946, the Navy used 649 acres at Kanounou Point as a bombing range, about half on land. The inspection team found two target rings still intact. The members also detected “anomalies” under the ground. Fifty soil samples were taken but revealed no dangerous toxins or metals.

The next step is to set up a cleanup plan. Sites are ranked on a scale of 1 to 8 (1 is the highest and reserved for chemical warfare test sites), and the cleanup priority is based on ranking and available funding, Bonfiglio said.

Kanounou Point received a priority rank of 6. Kanahena Point was given a priority 2 ranking, Bonfiglio said.

Manele and Kamaole are listed as low risk, without listings on the threat scale.

Manele Bay was used as a 68-acre offshore exercise area for marine mines. The Navy placed mines, which resemble giant steel sea urchins, and then practiced locating them.

Kamaole was part of a Kihei training ground for Pacific invasions. The 2,042 acres of beaches and land were lined with replica Japanese shoreline defenses. Troops regularly conducted maneuvers and practiced underwater demolition off shore.

As the military prepared for the invasions of Japanese strongholds on Iwo Jima and Saipan, the troops outnumbered Maui residents 3-to-1, said Roslyn Lightfoot, executive director of the Maui Historical Society.

“We have photos where the ocean was filled with ships that held thousands and thousands of troops,” Lightfoot said. “And they all trained here.”

The military used 40 mm high incendiary explosive projectiles at Kamaole. But since there is no historical record of explosives discovered or of contamination, the report for Kamaole said: “There is no risk to human health or the environment from munitions.”

Today, two slabs of concrete at the south end of Kamaole Beach Park I remain as evidence of the once-vast training grounds. A historical marker briefly tells the story.

• Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton@mauinews.com.