Local Government Requests UXO Clearance from Army

Waikola, Hawaii Hawaii County Mayor, Harry Kim, sent a letter to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health (ODASA ESOH) asking for assistance in adjusting the UXO clearance schedule for portions of the Former Waikoloa Maneuver Area. The request was made to accommodate the construction of affordable housing units.

According to the letter, the US. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has put restrictions on new funding due to the potential for UXO in the area. The funding restriction essentially stopped development projects in the area.

The letter stated in part: "I strongly urge your agency to parcel out these projects and schedule them for Ordinance [Ordnance] Clearance work at the earliest date possible.......I cannot emphasize the importance of clearing these subject parcels so as we can help our citizens make this island a better place to live."