Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 12, 1 December 1997 — AMMO AT MAKUA [ARTICLE]

AMMO AT MAKUA

I'm writing to let the Hawaiian people know there are thousands of 50-caliber bullet in Mākua Valley. I was working with a crew ffom army ordnance testing 50-caliber tracer ammunition during World War II. We fīred 10 percent o f eaeh lot and some lots totaled millions of rounds. We tested all lots shipped in, so you

ean see that the valley is literally paved with bullets. Back then, the Army and Marines were conducting beach invasion landings and there were many live shells and bombs laying about the area. It was necessary to use metal detectors to find and flag the duds or unexploded ordnance before we could go in. Now you know why Joe Foss and Pappy Boyinton shot down so many zeros. Dis brah was dere doing his part even if it messed up a sacred valley. War is pau so forgive us Lono. Hawaiians still got part of Hawai'i Nei. Tell the military to go to Wake, Midway or other atolls for training. Mala Kaua! William F. Gartrell lrving, Texas