Army desecration of burials angers Native Hawaiians

Post Date May 28, 2010

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, DMZ-Hawai'i / Aloha 'Aina In the News, Hawaiian Sovereignty, Land, Culture & Human Rights

Yesterday, a representatives of Native Hawaiian organizations and other supporters went on a site visit to the area in Lihu’e (Schofield range) where the Army desecrated the burials of at least two individuals, including an adult and a child. Poi pounders and other cultural implements were also found at the site.

The Army’s propaganda spin machine has sought to make the desecration into “protection” and a cultural access into “consultation”. The Honolulu Advertiser article at bottom is inaccurate. It states that “All work was immediately halted.” But this is a false statement.

After the first bone was unearthed, the contract archeologist working for Garcia and Associates (GANDA) ordered the earth moving work to continue for another half-hour until more bones were found, in violation of federal and state laws that require all activity to cease when bones are unearthed.

The desecration of the sites in Lihu’e is happening on a massive scale. But since these areas are in live fire ranges and off limits to civilians, the destruction is largely invisible to the public. Below is the press release from Native Hawaiians who visited the site and performed ceremony for the ancestors that had been unearthed by the Army.

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May 28, 2010

Hawaiian Community Angered by Desecration of Burials at Schofield Barracks

Lihuʻe, Oʻahu. Representatives from several organizations concerned over the U.S. Armyʻs recent disturbance of ʻiwi kupuna (ancestral remains) visited the site on Schofield Barracks where a cultural complex was disturbed by Stryker-related construction. They were told by Laurie Lucking, cultural resource manager for U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, that the area where the ʻiwi kupuna was unearthed would be “closed forever.” But military construction and training continue to destroy many other cultural sites in a large expanse of land sacred to native Hawaiians.

Leimaile Quitevis, former cultural monitor who documented many of the sites in Lihu’e and a member of the Oʻahu Island Burial Council comments on the significance of the cultural site complex. “Hundreds of archaeological site features have been identified in the immediate vicinity of Stryker Brigade construction. In addition, more than 300 surface artifacts were collected by Army representatives. The massive amount of cultural properties located in this area help to paint the picture of the pre-contact land use of Lihue. The significance and importance of this landscape to Kanaka Maoli is limitless. Lihuʻe was once the ruling center of Oʻahu, hosting famous rulers and infamous battles. This history is important when evaluating and assessing the historic properties that have been identified. These sites are not isolated ‘archaeological sites.’ They are features, pieces of a puzzle, and parts of a whole. These sites are part of a complex that laments and praises the history and culture of our ancestors. Several bone fragments have been documented throughout the project area. None of these bones have ever been positively identified by a qualified osteologist. In addition clusters of artifacts are treated as isolated finds rather than actual sites. To date this project has damaged numerous petroglyphs, desecrated a minimum of two individual’s graves and breached the site protective measures of Haleauau Heiau.”

“The Army failed to do adequate cultural site investigations and consultations before drawing up and proceeding with its Stryker brigade plans,” said Summer Mullins a representative from Kipuka, one of the three native Hawaiian groups involved in the 2004 litigation against Stryker expansion. This was the first time that she and many others were given access to the area once recognized as the seat of government for Oʻahu aliʻi. In the past, groups had made several requests for access that were ignored or denied by the Army.

She added, “This desecration was completely avoidable. It was not an ʻinadvertent discovery,’ as the Army claims. They need to be held responsible for their actions. The Army failed to listen to the strong concerns raised by cultural monitors and community members years ago about the cultural importance of the Lihu’e area. Our wahi pana and wahi kapu are not appropriate training areas.”

“When our Kanaka Maoli people say do not disturb an area but their advice is not heeded, this does not constitute ‘proactive dialogue.’ Desecration was predictable. We are faced with the problem that the Army occupies a vast area that physically retains important cultural sites and burial grounds. No matter what, access to these sites must be guaranteed to our kanaka maoli people. It is their traditional right to visit, care for and continue passing on history to the next generation,” said Terri Keko’olani of the American Friends Service Committee.

Representatives were angered by the Armyʻs initial claim that they were protecting the discovery, as their actions painted a completely different picture. “The assertion that ‘all work was immediately halted’ is false. The contract archaeologist for Garcia and Associates (GANDA) ordered digging and grading to continue after the first ʻiwi was found, a violation of Federal and State laws that call for all activity to cease. Earth moving activity stopped only after more bones were exposed,” added Leimaile Quitevis.

According to Tom Lenchanko, spokesperson for lineal descendants of the area, “The families object to any process where our human remains are damaged, with no sensitivity to the lands of our Lo Aliʻi – Lihuʻe, Wahiawa and Helemano encompassing over 35,000 acres that is Kukaniloko. This is our national treasure. Our kupuna are all over that aina, and the military is blatantly disrespecting our ancestral burial sites.”

“This is Hawaiian land, we all know that the US military has no moral or legal authority over our lands or resources,” said Andre Perez of Hui Pu. “Relocating the bones of our ancestors for warfare training is unacceptable. It is the military who needs to relocate.”

Noelani DeVincent, kumu hula and member of the Wahiawa Hawaiian Civic Club was heartbroken to see this sacred place ripped apart, “It was a really emotional experience to see such a huge wrong being done towards our people. It is our kuleana to right this wrong, but how can we trust the Army will take care of this place?”

Leimaile Quitevis added “Our kupuna are calling us to look to the lands of Lihuʻe. We must kukulu kumuhana (pull our strengths) and work together to defend the bones of our ancestors and the rich history of this ʻāina.”

Other participants in the cultural access include Kai Markell and Kamoa Quitevis of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, William Aila of Hui Malama i Na Kupuna, Melva Aila of Hui Malama o Makua, and Kyle Kajihiro of the American Friends Service Committee.

Photo by Kai Markell at Lihu’e complex, Schofield Barracks. Many significant cultural sites are being destroyed by current Stryker-related construction.

Photo by Kai Markell at Lihuʻe complex, Schofield Barracks. Concerned Native Hawaiianʻs and community members inspect damage to cultural sites caused by Stryker-related construction.

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http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100528/NEWS25/5280343/Army+consults+agencies++on+relocation+of+bones

Posted on: Friday, May 28, 2010

Army consults agencies on relocation of bones

Advertiser Staff

Army officials yesterday said they invited representatives from the State Historic Preservation Division, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, O’ahu Burial Council, ‘Ahu Kukaniloko and Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai’i Nei to visit a Schofield Barracks construction site where human remains were discovered earlier this month.

“Now that the remains have been found, the decision must be made whether the remains should stay where they were found, or whether they should be relocated to a more appropriate site where they would not be disturbed again,” Laurie Lucking, cultural resource manager for U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, said in a statement.

Lucking said the remains were found in an Army training area where military vehicles will be operating and performing exercises “and we are seeking recommendations from the representatives on this matter.”

The Army said it will publish a general notice to allow claimants an opportunity to consult with the Army on the final disposition of the remains once a decision is made on whether to move the remains from their location.

An Army-contracted cultural monitor from Garcia and Associates was on site when a single bone fragment was found on May 14 in a mound of earth that had recently been excavated. All work was immediately halted.

Citizens denied access to meeting protest outside Pohakuloa Training Area

Post Date March 03, 2010

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, Depleted Uranium, DMZ-Hawai'i / Aloha 'Aina In the News, Ho’ola Hawai’i – Environmental Justice

http://bigislandweekly.com/articles/2010/03/03/read/news/news03.txt

Citizens denied access to meeting protest outside PTA

By Heather Nicholson

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 11:38 AM HST

About 30 people concerned with depleted uranium (DU) radiation on Pohakuloa Training Area picketed outside the Saddle Road military base Feb. 24. At the same time, the group received word that their petition to challenge the Army’s license to possess DU was denied.

Jim Albertini, group leader and founder of the non-violent education and action group, Malu Aina, expressed disappointment at the decision handed down from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), who said the petition “lacked standing.”

“It means citizens have nothing to say about this issue,” said Albertini, who went in front of the NRC with three other Hawaii residents in January calling the Army’s assessment of DU hazards inadequate.

Though Albertini and his group were not invited to the U.S. Army’s annual Community Leaders Day, various decision makers were seen in attendance, including Mayor Billy Kenoi. The attendees heard progress updates on everything from Saddle Road construction to depleted uranium.

U.S. Army spokesman Mike Egami said the DU discussion was a review of topics already on the radar, including the Army’s application to the NRC to possess and manage residual quantities of DU at various bases, including Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA).

Repeated attempts to contact Kenoi’s office for information about the meeting went unanswered. When the Army was asked to provide Big Island Weekly with a list of the attendees, we were told the group consisted of “politicos or representatives from various offices from the Mayor’s office, County Council, Congressional offices, business leaders, UH Hilo, school principals, DLNR, hunters, and members of the PTA Cultural Advisory Committee.”

“The community leaders were invited to provide opportunities for each to take back information to their respective organization and disseminate information, as well as receive comments to provide back to the military,” said Egami.

The majority of protesters opposed to the fact that the public was not invited to the meeting and stood across from the entrance of PTA holding signs that read “Where’s the transparency” and “Radiation cover up.” The group tried several times to get inside the base and was denied a list of invited attendees.

“We want this meeting that they are having about our neighborhood to be open,” said Hilo resident Stephen Paulmier. “It’s mainly about transparency in government.”

Ret. U.S. Army Col. Ann Wright stood on the side of Albertini’s picket line, concerned that the politicians invited to the meeting could not be trusted to ask the Army hard questions.

“This meeting undercuts the citizen’s right to know. It’s outrageous that no one can go in since there’s been so much public outcry,” she said.

WHAT IS DEPLETED URANIUM?

Depleted uranium is a waste obtained from producing fuel for nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. DU is extremely dense and heavy, so much so that projectiles with a DU head can penetrate the armored steel of military vehicles and buildings. It is also a spontaneous pyrophoric material that can generate so much heat that when it reaches its target it explodes.

The American military has been using DU to coat artillery, tanks and aircraft for years, and the DU found on Hawaii military bases came from The Davy Crockett, a series of recoilless guns used in 1960s training missions.

When exposed to very high temperatures, DU can go airborne. According to the World Health Organization, DU emits about 60 percent of the radiation as natural uranium. When inhaled, DU particles make their way into the blood stream and can cause health problems, especially to the lungs.

When DU was discovered at Hawaii military bases in 2006, the Army received much backlash after years of denying that any uranium weapons were ever used on island. After military testing of the remaining DU at PTA and Oahu’s Schofield Barracks, the Army contends that the radiation is too low to be a health concern.

Pahoa resident and retired Army pilot Albert Tell agrees.

“There’s more radiation in my house then there is out here,” Tell said.

Tell and about 10 other military supporters comprised mainly of ex-military personnel picketed outside PTA on Feb. 24 also. Brandishing several American flags and dressed in military fatigues, the group said they were there to support the troops, PTA and counteract any misinformation Albertini and his supporters handed out.

“I don’t know anyone who’s died from DU,” said a picketer who refused to give his name. “We have some dying from cancer but they’ve lived other places to.”

IS DU BAD FOR YOU?

It’s true the long-term effects of DU radiation are largely unknown, and while some contend DU is the cause of Gulf War Syndrome there are no tests or reports to support it. Since DU goes airborne under extreme heat, some citizens are concerned that the live-fire and bombing training missions still conducted on PTA are aerosolizing DU and not only putting down-wind communities at risk, but active PTA soldiers as well.

Albertini said he won’t be satisfied until the Army allows independent scientists to conduct their own DU tests on PTA. He also wants all live-fire and bombing sessions on PTA halted until an independent DU test can be conducted.

“We have to know the extent of the health risks,” he said.

Hawaii County Council passed a resolution calling for the halt of live-fire and bombing that may spread airborne DU, however, the Army continues to do so. They said it is highly unlikely that DU will move off PTA and into the community due to military live-fire training.

“The Army has completed most of the DU investigation, but is continuing to monitor the water and air qualities at Schofield Barracks and PTA,” Egami said.

The Army is also awaiting a decision from NRC regarding their license to possess DU.

Hilo groups will protest Strykers on parade

Post Date November 07, 2009

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, Depleted Uranium, DMZ-Hawai'i / Aloha 'Aina In the News, Ho’ola Hawai’i – Environmental Justice, Militarization of Society, War and Peace

According to the Honolulu Advertiser article Strykers will be included in the Hilo Veterans parade:

Organizers hoped to keep word of the vehicles a secret from peace activists like Jim Albertini of the Malu Aina Center for Non-Violent Education and Action, in an attempt to ward off conflict.

Albertini found out anyway, and on Sunday wrote an open letter to Lt. Col. Warline Richardson of Pohakuloa Training Area, asking that the vehicles be kept out of the parade.

Albertini says he’s concerned that the presence of the vehicles “glorifies war” under the guise of honoring veterans. He’s also raised concerns that the Strykers, which are involved in training exercises at Pohakuloa, could be contaminated with depleted uranium and may pose a health risk to citizens.

Richardson called Albertini on Monday to confirm that two Strykers would be in the parade, but they would be unarmed command vehicles. There would be numerous other, non-controversial vehicles in the parade, including an ambulance and transport vehicles.

Strykers (and DU) on Parade in Hilo?

Post Date November 06, 2009

Comments 3 Comments

Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, Depleted Uranium, DMZ-Hawai'i / Aloha 'Aina In the News

Mahalo to Joan Conrow and the Hawaii Independent for this article about Hilo residents’ opposition to Strykers and possible Depleted Uranium contamination being in the Veteran’s Day Parade.

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http://thehawaiiindependent.com/page-one/read/veterans-parade-hit-with-du-concerns/

Hilo Veterans’ Day parade hit with depleted uranium concerns

Nov 05, 2009 – 12:35 PM | By Joan Conrow | The Hawaii Independent

HILO—Plans to include vehicles from Hawaii Island’s Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in Saturday’s Veteran’s Day parade in Hilo have met opposition from those concerned about glorifying war and possible contamination by depleted uranium (DU).

Jim Albertini, director of the Malu Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action, said that after event organizers told him Stryker vehicles would be participating in the parade, he wrote to Lt. Col. Warline S. Richardson, the PTA’s commanding officer, to express his concerns.

“Including Stryker vehicles in the parade is a provocative action that glorifies war disguised as honoring veterans,” Albertini wrote in his October 30 letter. “I urge that Strykers and other combat weapons be kept out of the parade. To parade these killing machines through our peaceful streets desensitizes young and old to the horrors of war.

“As you know, basing Strykers in Hawaii has been a major controversy,” the letter continued. “Their use of Depleted Uranium (DU) weapons in Iraq contaminating that country forever is equally controversial, and likely related to the Gulf War Syndrome that has effected [sic] the health of hundreds of thousands of disabled U.S. veterans and millions of Iraqi citizens. The fact that these Strykers are currently doing live-fire training at Pohakuloa, known to be contaminated with DU, risks spreading that contamination, endangering the health and safety of troops and the citizens of this island. Bringing these Strykers, that may be contaminated with DU, down the streets of Hilo adds insult to injury.”

Albertini said that Richardson contacted him early the next morning and said she was willing to keep mobile weapons out of the parade in order to avoid a protest, and instead would send “command Strykers” that were outfitted with communications equipment rather than weaponry.

But he said Richardson was not receptive when he raised the concern that any vehicles from PTA could be contaminated with DU oxide: “I don’t think she takes that issue very seriously.”

Albertini said that fear about possible DU contamination from the training area was widespread on the Big Island, and had prompted the Hawaii County Council to pass a 2008 resolution “ordering a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and all live firing exercises and other actions at PTA that create dust until there’s an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium already present.”

When contacted by The Hawaii Independent, Richardson said: “Those vehicles aren’t contaminated. What would they be contaminated with?” Richardson also denied that she had agreed to let command Strykers participate in the parade. “I don’t control those vehicles,” she said.

“She’s telling two different stories,” Albertini countered.

Loran Doane, media relations chief for the U.S. Army Garrison, said that event organizers had asked the Army to participate in the parade, but “no final determination has been made as to exact form that participation will take.” He said a decision likely would be made by noon Friday.

He also said that the Army has a “process and standards for cleaning military vehicles before entry into the U.S.”

The fact sheet for cleaning vehicles states: “Those identified as contaminated with DU are wrapped in plastic and tarps (encased) to prevent the spread of any removable contamination or residues. They are then shipped through the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, to the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland. Here, the vehicles are assessed for decontamination and repair, or for recovery of parts.”

Richardson also said she could not understand the objection to Styrkers. “It’s just a wheeled type of a piece of equipment. I just don’t understand a little bit of the concern,” she said, likening them to Toyota releasing a new version of the Maxima. ”Part of it is education. That’s why you want to let them participate in parades.”

Meanwhile, Major Doug Rokke (Ret.), the former director of the U.S. Army Depleted Uranium project, issued a statement in response to the parade plans that read:

“Any and all combat vehicles and equipment (everything) returned from Iraq should be prohibited from any civilian area. A standard wash rack is useless for decontamination. Keep all contaminated equipment isolated to the army post. Army regulation 700-48, section 2-4 requires isolation from all human contact.

“Even after extensive depot level cleaning, I found DU and other radiological, chemical, and biological contamination in vehicles years later.

“The gross contamination of equipment, vehicles, terrain, air, water, soil, and food is reflected in, and verified by, the hundreds of thousands of U.S. casualties with serious medical problems that are unrelated to bullets or bombs, but are directly related to all of these toxic exposures.

“Hawaii’s isolated and pristine environment should not be exposed to, and consequently placed in danger through, any exposure to any of the contaminants brought back by the U.S. military from war zones.”

Dr. Lorrin Pang, a consultant to the Big Island County Council on the issue of DU, also advised caution, noting that Dr. Rosalie Bertell has said the weaponry causes nano-particles to be released, as well as DU oxide.

“There is a newly recognized associated threat called nanotoxicity, especially from small metallic particles,” Pang said in a written statement. “Yet another unknown. With so many unknowns I suggest we adhere to the precautionary principle and honor our veterans by not further exposing them (and the public) to further unknown agents. Remember both Rokke and I are former Army and we are still watching out for the soldiers.”

Marchers take to the streets to protest 'Fake Statehood' and demand independence

Post Date August 22, 2009

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, Free Makua, Hawaiian Sovereignty, Land, Culture & Human Rights, Projects and Campaigns, The Military in Hawai'i (All Islands)

Photo: Kyle Kajihiro

Today, the 50th anniversary of Hawai’i’s ‘admission’ to the United States was marked by protests on nearly every island and several cities around the world. In Honolulu, around 400 people marched from Ala Moana Park to the Convention Center, where the “official” statehood commemoration conference was taking place. Although the overall tone of the commemoration was more reflective than celebratory, the mood of the marchers was colorful and spirited, a celebration of resistance. There were protesters from kupuna in their wheelchairs to infants. And marching with us were the ancestors.

A centerpiece of the event was a towering puppet of Uncle Sam, riding on a camouflaged Stryker armored assault vehicle that was decorated with bombs bearing the names of places the U.S. military has bombed: Kaho’olawe, Vieques, Bikini, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Makua. Walking behind the puppet, Andre Perez on the bullhorn delivered comic commentary: “Why we going so slow? Uncle Scam! What’s holding us back? Uncle Scam! Who’s blocking our way? Uncle Scam! Somebody, kick him in the ass! Kanaka’s on the move!”

Photo: Kyle Kajihiro

Uncle Sam carried M-16 assault rifles in each hand inscribed with “imperialist”, “genocide”, “military”. Photo: Jon Shishido

While the overriding message was independence for Hawai’i, the demonstration also addressed American imperialism as a a global threat. On his red-white-and-blue stovetop hat he had stuck “feathers” of his conquests: First Nations, Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines. Photo: Jon Shishido

At the end of the march, Uncle Sam’s hat was knocked off…

…and the feather trophies representing the colonized nations were “liberated” from the hat. Photos: Kyle Kajihiro and Jon Shishido

Photo: Jon Shishido

Photo: Hawaii Independent

An American flag was taken out of the fallen hat and the 5oth star was cut out and burned. An exorcism to break the spell.

On Kaua’i, there were demonstrators at the entrance to the airport.

Kaua’i photos: Cairene

11 arrested blocking Stryker deployment from Washington

Post Date May 05, 2009

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, Global Justice and Peace Movements, Puget Sound, War and Peace

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009168374_protest04m.html

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – Page updated at 03:37 AM

11 arrested near Fort Lewis trying to block Strykers headed for Afghanistan

By Sandi Doughton
Seattle Times science reporter

Eleven people were arrested Saturday night trying to block a convoy of Stryker military vehicles from Fort Lewis in protest of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some of the members of Port Militarization Resistance, an anti-war organization with chapters in Tacoma and Olympia, were cited for disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

Some were jailed, but all of those had been released by Sunday afternoon after posting bail.

Tacoma police attempted to head off the protest by blocking the entrance to the Port of Tacoma dock where vehicles and equipment from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team were being loaded onto ships for deployment to Afghanistan.

But the protesters moved their operations away from the Port, targeting the armored personnel carriers as they pulled out of the gate at Fort Lewis, and at an exit off Interstate 5 that leads to the Port.

The activists either stood or lay down in the road, said spokesman Shyam Khanna. Though their actions only briefly delayed the convoy, Khanna said they helped draw attention to the Obama administration’s military buildup in Afghanistan.

“It shows we’re willing to make a real sacrifice to accomplish our vision to end the war,” he said.

Port Militarization Resistance tries to prevent the shipment of military gear through civilian ports. The cost of one 2008 protest at the Port of Tacoma, which ran 12 days, was estimated at $1 million for extra security.

“Our goal is to raise the economic cost of these military shipments, to the point where no port is willing to take them,” said Khanna, who spent 10 days in jail after a 2007 protest at the Port of Olympia.

He said the protests will continue the next several nights, as more Strykers and gear are moved off the fort.

Sandi Doughton: 206-464-2491 or sdoughton@seattletimes.com

Strykers shipped into Honolulu on container ship, 4/12/09

Post Date April 18, 2009

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker

Abercrombie speaks about Makua and Hawai'i Superferry

Post Date April 14, 2009

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Author Laurel Mei-Singh

Category 'A'ole Stryker, Free Makua, Hawaii Superferry Resistance, Hawaiian Sovereignty, Land, Culture & Human Rights, The Military in Hawai'i (All Islands)

Neil Abercrombie, 20-year Congressional Representative from Hawai’i, is making a run for Governor in 2010. He started out his political career as an anti-war activist at UH in the 1960s. More recently, he has been a proponent of militarization of Hawai’i, including supporting the largest military land-grab since World War II, the Army Stryker Brigade. But in recent years, he has also come out criticizing the Army activities in Makua valley. To illustrate his contradictory stance, here’s a excerpt from a Honolulu Star Bulletin Article about his views on the Hawai’i Superferry and the military in Hawai’i:

Hawaii Superferry: The service both to the military and local residents was valuable, he says, but the process of approving the environmental impact statement was mishandled. “This was a judgment disaster and a policy disaster.”

Military: Urge the military to leave Makua Valley. “The one time they were able to do some training, they managed to set it on fire.”

It shows a couple of things. First, that the steady efforts to win the clean up and return of Makua has built enough support to force him to recognize this issue. And second, that there is a calculation that giving up Makua would win enough support from Kanaka Maoli, environmentalists, and peace and demilitarization activists to neutralize his stance on other military expansion efforts.

Here’s the full article:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090414_Abercrombie_anxious_for_campaign_to_begin.html

Abercrombie anxious for campaign to begin

By Richard Borreca

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 14, 2009

With the impatience of someone who at 70 has finally decided what he wants to do in life, Neil Abercrombie sits in his Kakaako campaign office anxious to get on with what he considers the most important campaign of his political life.

U.S. Rep. Abercrombie is leaving a 20-year career in Washington politics at the time when his Democratic Party controls Congress and when he is close enough to President Barack Obama to have been in the tight crowd along with Oprah Winfrey to celebrate the inauguration upstairs at the White House.

The battle is for governor of Hawaii, a goal more than 18 months away but one Abercrombie is already fighting.

“There is no sense fooling around. If anyone else wants to run for governor, say so. Let’s get going and do it. This is not about options or finessing it,” said Abercrombie, who was the first to declare in a Democratic primary that could also attract Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.

For Abercrombie, who came to Hawaii in 1959 as a graduate student and first ran for office in 1970, the governor’s race is to be his last quest.

“I have a renewed sense of energy and joy. This is my 50th anniversary of coming to Hawaii. It is as if this incredible gift has been given to me.

“Everything I have learned about Hawaii makes me who I am today, and I want to bring a culmination in this run and I feel joyous about it.

“I will be able to say I gave every bit of energy and all of my sense of aloha to this campaign, and I will be content,” Abercrombie said last week in an interview with the Star-Bulletin.

Abercrombie went from being a left-wing campus orator and graduate student to serving in the state House and Senate and the Honolulu City Council before winning an office in Congress.

“He has name recognition and a well-tested political operation,” said Neal Milner, University of Hawaii political scientist and ombudsman. “He is formidable.”

Hannemann would be Abercrombie’s strongest rival, said Milner, because the Honolulu mayor also brings a skillful campaign style and the ability to raise campaign cash to the race.

“With Abercrombie,” Milner said, “you have someone who is already tested. It is not like you are suddenly going to find out something about him.”

Abercrombie said all those years in Congress, the Legislature and City Hall have both shaped and changed him. The garrulous Democrat said he has learned, for instance, when to stop talking and listen.

“I understand that it can be construed as lecturing other people, putting yourself in a position where you are telling them what they need to do. That is the wrong way to go about it,” he said. “People vote with you and for you for their own reasons, not yours. You are not the source of your own power, and taking that into account in yourself is something you have to do every day.”

So far Abercrombie has found some valuable friends, picking up old-time Democratic Party war horses like Charles Toguchi, the former state schools superintendent and legislator, and Ed Hasegawa, who worked on the Hawaii Obama campaign. Also, Abercrombie enlisted Andrew Aoki, 40, an attorney and co-founder of 3Point, a public-interest consulting firm, and Kanu Hawaii, a group that promotes the culture of aloha.

In contrast to Abercrombie’s extensive elective track record, Aoki is new to politics.

“I understand the paradox … but it may be that Neil’s time has come. There is an alignment between his principles and the action that this time needs,” Aoki said.

“He is a learner and he is open. His mind is filled with tons of experience, but he is willing to listen to those who feel they are out of the loop.”

This week, Abercrombie is wrapping up a two-week Easter recess trip back to Hawaii. He had campaign meetings on Kauai and in Kalihi and Hawaii Kai last week which supporters said each drew crowds of more than 100. He also plans a fundraising event while in the islands.

Abercrombie said he will continue to work in Washington and commute to his home state when he can. If he resigned, it would trigger a special election because House members cannot be appointed, like senators, and Abercrombie said he did not want the state to go through the expense of holding a special election.
Abercrombie on the issues

As he starts his run for governor, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is detailing some of his campaign issues.

Housing: Establish a public-private partnership to build and maintain new affordable housing. Demolish Aloha Stadium to allow development of the property and require private developers build a new stadium. “You build us a new stadium so we can really compete in Division I.”

Environment: Move Hawaii toward energy independence using domestically produced fuel and toward growing its own food. “These are self-defense measures, and you have to be completely devoted to them.”

Hawaii Superferry: The service both to the military and local residents was valuable, he says, but the process of approving the environmental impact statement was mishandled. “This was a judgment disaster and a policy disaster.”

Military: Urge the military to leave Makua Valley. “The one time they were able to do some training, they managed to set it on fire.”