Public Warned to Stay Away from Popular Beach Access in Honolulu

Honolulu, Hawaii

The site is located at the southernmost point of Bellows Air Force Station, north of Waimanalo Bay State Recreation Area. It has been designated "off limits" to the public, but officials say the no trespassing signs do little to keep people out.

Despite cleanup efforts which began years ago, the area which was once used as an urban warfare training site, likely still contains UXO.

"We don't want people to come stumbling across" the munitions, said state Department of Health Environmental Specialist Sven Lindstrom. He added that the site is "easily accessible from the state park from the beach, and there's areas where you can kind of cut through along the stream bed from Waimanalo to get to the beach."

Some two dozen signs having been posted along the perimeter of the site, warning the public of the possible of explosive hazards. The military proposed fencing off the land but decided against it after strong opposition from the community.

The area is one of four munitions response sites currently being investigated at Bellows Air Force Station. Last summer, crews found a 25-lb bomb about a mile down the road, buried just beneath the surface of the sand at the Menehune campground. Signs are posted to warn visitors not to dig or even build sandcastles.

Members of the community have expressed concern that UXO may lie outside the military's property line or even in waters in the area while Officials are reminding people who discover old munitions to not touch, carefully back away, and immediately call 911.