Recently the the U.S. Navy announced that the Naval Special Warfare plans to triple the amount of small-unit intermediate and advanced training conducted by SEALs and other special operations forces on nonfederal lands in Hawaii, with overall training expanding from Oahu and Hawaii island to Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Veterans For Peace member Jason Mizula lives on the island of Molokai and writes:
I oppose the US Navy’s proposal to expand training operations to the shore waters of south Molokai. The US military is the worst polluter on the planet beyond just their consumption of hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil every single day. Their footprint is enormous, operating from 800 bases in close to 100 countries, with personnel deployed to over 150, according to Politico. America is engaged in combat in dozens of these countries, and all out war in over half a dozen. The price tag is in the trillions, and loss of life incalculable if you take into account disease, famine, and poverty that linger long after the bombs stop falling. They’re currently training for this in the sky above Molokai and if they have their way, they’ll also train in the same place you go paddling and fishing.
America’s economy relies of constant enemies, constant fighting, and as a result, constant training. Islands like Kaho’olawe, Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and Vieques in Puerto Rico were seen as expendable. Molokai is viewed the same way by people wanting to train here. They proved this when they turned part of Kalauapapa into the Makanalua Bombing Range back in the 1940’s. Medicine was needed, not bombs. Medicine is what is needed today. Molokai deserves to be healthy but taxes fund war and training and never seem to find their way here in meaningful ways.
The taxpayer-funded “Youth Challenge Academy” offers a diploma to “at risk youth” but Uncle Sam is lying when he says that discipline, respect, leadership, community service, and fitness can only be taught alongside marching and unquestioned obedience to authority. These things can and should be taught alongside ‘aina-based education, instilling cultural values rather than military indoctrination. Children should not be groomed for war. Imagine if some of Molokai’s kumu’s got even a fraction of those tax dollars. Even Waldorf schools would envy what Molokai could provide for it’s keiki, and the world would be better for it.
Let’s not forget it was the military that painted the huge target that remains on Hawaii’s back when they moved the Pacific Fleet here in May of 1940, it was the military that ran the internment camps, and the military that has shown zero respect for Kanaka Maoli and the ‘aina. History has taught us that America’s interests do not align with Hawaii’s, and that’s not about to change. As someone who has trained, and followed orders using that training overseas, I oppose the military training anywhere near Molokai. As a resident of Molokai who has been blessed to help take care of this ‘aina, I oppose the further desecration of Molokai in any form.
Sign the Petition to Oppose U.S. Navy Training Exercises in Molokai
Jason has also written letters and asks that other members do so as well. Deadline extended until January 7th! Send all letters to NFPAC-Receive@navy.mil
An example of a letter
To whom it may concern
I oppose the US Navy’s proposal to expand training operations to the shore waters of south Molokai. Many people here are aware that the US military is the worst polluter on the planet beyond just your consumption of hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil every single day. You have no business training to kill people in the same place that people go fishing, surfing, & paddling.
If even one single monk seal is inconvenienced, much less displaced, that is one too many. As it is, our monk seals & sea turtles are forced to sunbathe on beaches covered with plastic that washes here from the pacific ocean, that washes here from a world of mindless consumption that you train & fight to preserve.
Will you be stewards of the environment here the same way that you were with islands like Kaho’olawe, Bikini Atoll, and Vieques? Will you treat the people of Molokai with the same level of respect you treated the patients of Kalaupapa when you turned part of that small peninsula into the Makanalua bombing range?
When you moved the pacific fleet here in 1940, you painted a huge target on Oahu. There is still a target on islands other than Molokai and we are not ok with that but we will not roll over and remain silent as you try expanding that target to include this peaceful farming community.
People here know that it was the military running the internment camps in the 1940’s which imprisoned some of their neighbors. I hope that none of the survivors of those camps have to see even one navy seal training when they are looking for whales.
The military has shown zero respect for Kanaka Maoli, for other locals, and for the ‘aina. History has taught us that America’s interests do not align with Hawaii’s. If you try to say that things are different now, we all know you’re lying.
As a farmer who takes care of this ‘aina every day, I oppose the further desecration of Molokai in any form.
As a human being who respects life, I oppose the missions that you train for no matter how noble you believe them to be. Taking innocent life is the antithesis of aloha.
Jayson R. Mizula
Ho’olehua