UXO Site selected: Pacific, HI-06 (Oahu, Ordnance Reef), HI |
General Area: Pacific Ocean, HI Site Type/Program: Sea Disposal (U.S.) Location: Ordnance Reef, (Unexploded Ordnance as indicated on NOAAs nautical chart 19340), lies on the western, leeward side of Oahu and covers an area of approximately 1 nautical mile in length by 0.5 nautical miles in width, and lies in approximately 10 - 70 meters of water. Brief History: During a benthic survey of the outfall in 1992, City and County (C&C) of Honolulu, Department of Wastewater Managements oceanographic team discovered military munitions between 0.3 and 0.6 miles northwest of the existing sewage outfalls diffuser. Military munitions observed between 60 and 120 feet deep. The munitions are believed to have been disposed of at the site during WWII. |
![]() |
Range / Site Description: At the request of the USACE, the Navy EOD Detachment from Pearl Harbor conducted a diver survey in July 2002 to determine the various amounts and types of military munitions in Pokai Bay on the western coast of Oahu. The search method employed was swimming a course heading the length of the study area, with course corrections sent from the surface to ensure accurate runs. Each run was 100 yards apart. This was deemed sufficient to get a general evaluation of the overall search area. Bounce dives were conducted on the deepest section just outside of the third section to try and determine the extent the military munitions disposal site. Associated Munitions: Confirmed conventional munitions at the site include naval gun ammunition, 105mm and 155mm artillery projectiles, mines, mortars, and small arms ammunition. Activities Completed: Archive search of records - DoD has only released minimal data on the site in the Annual Reports to Congress. In 2007 the University of Hawaii and NOAA conducted a remote sensing survey and sampling to "independently" collect data to determine the extent of munitions in the area and to sample for munitions constituents. During the NOAA survey, 81.7 linear miles was surveyed using side scan sonar and 96 sediment samples were collected. Forty-nine fish were also collected and analyzed for metals contamination. Issues: The Army has made several public announcements that it will address the hazards at the site. To date, progress has been slow and the politics between NOAA, University of Hawaii, and other stakeholders has increased. Other Information: Continued study and potential eventual removal action by the Army. |
Reports Documents Relevant to Pacific, HI-06 (Oahu, Ordnance Reef), HI Available on UXOInfo.com: Click on the title to view the document from UXOInfo.com's UXO Library
|
UXO Site Maps
|
||
Chart of Ordnance Reef Disposal Site Hawaii- Click Map for Larger View |
If you have or know of any chanegs to the information posted about
or want to donate additional images or reports on
Pacific, HI-06 (Oahu, Ordnance Reef), HI,
please email UXOInfo.com at
information@uxoinfo.com Back To UXO Site Search Page
Back to UXO Site Inventory Search Page
UXOInfo.com Home
|