MAKUA MILITARY RESERVATION, Hawaii -- Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment, known as "America's Battalion," were deep inside the reservation here, April 9, to practice live-fire operations in a unique capacity that cannot be found anywhere else in Hawaii. But even the tough training going on in the valley may not prove to be as difficult as simply getting permission to use the area.
After putting forth a training package proposal that was approved by U.S. Army officials and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, both of which run Makua Valley, EarthJustice (a nonprofit public interest law firm) and the Hawaii-based cultural preservation group Malama Makua filed a motion with a federal judge to stop the Marines from training at Makua.
EarthJustice and Malama Makua claimed that the proposed live-fire training presented a threat to endangered species that call the training area home.
The groups claimed that training proposed by the Marines violated specific agreements made by the Army to limit the quantity of troops and ordnance that could be used in the training area. More specifically, they argued the Marines had planned to fire too many mortars and SMAW (shoulder-fired multi-purpose assault weapon) rounds, which would create an undue fire hazard.
Though Hawaii has had one of the wettest winters in memory for some, and Makua Valley is more green and lush than at any time in recent memory, the fear of fire was enough to convince the federal judge to rule against the Marines' proposed training package.
In a story published by the "Honolulu Star Bulletin," the judge is quoted as saying, "Everyone acknowledges the need for military training, but [in the Endangered Species Act] Congress has charged the court with giving the highest priority to protecting endangered species."
In the same article, EarthJustice spokesperson David Henkin said, "We would hope that they [the Marines] would reconsider their current insistence on pursuing this type of destructive training [in Makua]. We really would encourage the military to rethink its strategy."
Adjust the Marines did. They altered their training to meet the judge's ruling, so that they could still get in some of the vital training, although not the complete package commanders hoped to provide their Marines.
Marines who are training in the area will be serving on the tip of the spear with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year. Training of the magnitude required is an absolute necessity to provide the Marines - who are only a terrorist attack away from battle - the skills they need to succeed in combat.
The 3/3 unit also fills several important positions here in Hawaii, including a position as a terrorism or disaster response force, part of Joint Rear Area Coordinator-Hawaii, for Hawaii Homeland Defense.
"It's the U.S. Army's range, and we are going to follow whatever guidelines and regulations that the Army prescribes for us," said Marine spokesperson Maj. Chris Hughes, "but, it is important to remember that Makua Valley is the cultural site and home to endangered and threatened plants and species because of the Army's management - not in spite of it.
"The Army spends about two million dollars each year on Makua Valley alone," Hughes added.