Navy set to detonate old ordinance at Molokini

[Knockneed Man]

Have y’all heard about this? Good history too.

Is it true that the Navy is planning to detonate old ordnance in the Molokini Marine Life Conservation District in July 2020? The record shows how devastating this was after detonations at Molokini in the 1970s and 1980s.

FYI there’s a link to the change.org petition in there as well.

 

[shoredivr]

Thanks for bringing this up, why not just float the ordinance over deeper water like it was done before?

 

[ibj40]

Have y’all heard about this? Good history too.

Is it true that the Navy is planning to detonate old ordnance in the Molokini Marine Life Conservation District in July 2020? The record shows how devastating this was after detonations at Molokini in the 1970s and 1980s.

FYI there’s a link to the change.org petition in there as well.

Had the opportunity to dive there several years ago. Absolutely spectacular both inside and outside the crater.

Signed the petition and made a donation.

Hard to believe that the Navy has no conscience!

 

[CanadaDan]

Signed... the biggest Navy in the world has to have a better solution than in place detonation. I understand it's not easy but the effort and possible sacrifice of a an ROV has to be worth it.

 

[Knockneed Man]

Update:

State plans to leave war ordnance in place off Molokini Crater

State plans to leave war ordnance in place off Molokini Crater

By Associated Press | August 21, 2020 at 4:54 AM HST - Updated August 21 at 10:30 AM
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii plans to leave undetonated World War II ordnance in place off Maui until a nonexplosive removal option is developed.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Wednesday that the decades-old explosives will remain untouched for now in the Molokini Marine Life Conservation District, The Maui News reported.

The Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board recommended against detonating the munitions in place following a state request for an assessment.

Community members, environmentalists and lawmakers expressed fears of irreversible damage to coral reefs and ocean life in the Molokini Crater.

The military used the crater for bombing practice when the U.S. entered WWII. Detonations in place have previously been conducted to remove dangerous munitions from the popular snorkeling site.

Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case said the location and ocean depth of the ordnance convinced officials to forego detonation.

The department instead recommends “the 3 R’s of UXO (unexploded ordnance) safety,” which are recognize, retreat and report underwater explosives to emergency officials and the state Health Department Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response office, Case said.

State Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator Brian Neilson said officials are confident commercial dive and snorkel operators who take customers to the conservation district have a vested interest in safety and the vitality of aquatic resources.

The state continues to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to pursue a nondestructive method to remove the ordnance.

“The leave-in-place option provides time to explore new technology and options,” the land and natural resources department said in a statement.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who has worked to secure funding to clean up former defense sites, said the decision was “the right call for our community and for our marine environment.”