Plans for Former Makanalua Bombing Range to be Discussed

The US Army Corps of Engineers will convene a meeting to engage public participation in its Proposed Plan for the former Makanalua Bombing Range Munitions Response Site on Molokaʻi.

Makanalua Bombing Range Munitions Response Site on Molokaʻi. PC: US Army Corps of Engineers

The meeting is slated for Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Mitchel Pauʻole Community Center in Kaunakakai.

The Proposed Plan summarizes a Remedial Investigation Report for the formerly used defense site.

Based on the results of the Remedial Investigation, the Corps has identified No Action as the Preferred Alternative because it says there is no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment at the Makanalua Bombing Range.

An Army Corps of Engineers representative will be available to receive comments and questions on the Proposed Plan during the meeting.  The public is also invited to submit written comments to: Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, Programs and Project Management Division, Environmental Branch, Building 230 – Attention: CEPOH-PP-E (Lori Wong), Fort Shafter, Hawaiʻi 96858-5440.  Phone: (808) 835-4090 Fax: (808) 835-4129 Email: [email protected]

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the former Makanalua Bombing Range, also known as Kalaupapa Bombing Target and Kalaupapa Naval Bombing Range, is located on the north central coast of the island of Molokaʻi, southeast of the Kalaupapa Airport and east of the Molokaʻi Lighthouse within Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the Makanalua Peninsula.

Property and Project History: (*as documented by the US Army Corps of Engineers)

In 1941, the Territory of Hawaiʻi issued a permit to the US Navy to use the area for aerial bombing. Typical aircraft involved in the training were Hellcats, Wildcats, Dauntless, and Corsairs. Active bombing practice took place between 1942 and 1945. In 1946, the land was returned to the Territory (subsequently State) of Hawaiʻi. The land is currently owned by the State of Hawaiʻi, and managed by the US National Park Service, State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health. The USACE conducted both an Inventory Project Report (equivalent to a CERCLA Preliminary Assessment) in 1990 and a Site Inspection in 2009 for this Munitions Response Site. Munitions and Explosives of Concern and munitions debris were reported during the INPR site visit and SI field work activities. Due to the SI findings the site was recommended to move into the RI/FS phase of the CERCLA process.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has since completed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study at the former Makanalua Bombing Range. During the RI/FS a total of 99 Unexploded Ordnance items and 1.024 pounds of munitions debris was found and disposed of off the site. The UXO and MD found were practice bombs of the following types: AN-Mk5, AN-Mk19, AN-Mk23, and AN-Mk43. No high explosive ordnance was found during the RI.

The locations of where the munitions were found was documented, and from this information it can be determined the size of the area that is recommended for further cleanup.