Tthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin a $2 million investigation at the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve to assess the type and location of old, unexploded shells and bombs in the area formerly used for military exercises.
This action was a subject of much confusion because Gov Abercrombie issued an emergency proclamation allowing for the cleanup of these dangerous munitions and some read nefarious motives into it.
At the recent DLNR Listening sessions on Maui, chair William Aila cleared up misunderstandings about the proclamation. When he took over DLNR they had a short window before the federal funds to pay for the cleanup would expire. Feeling that an EIS would be required but would then mean that the clean up could not proceed because funds would expire, he asked the governor to issue the emergency proclamation so that DLNR could demonstrate access and lock up the funds.
He went on to assure the audience that this action does not give the Army Corps of Engineers carte blanche to do whatever they want. When they locate unexploded munitions, they’re required to work with DLNR oversight in order to remove the shells safely and without disturbing archaeological sites or indigenous plants
You can read more in the Maui News Article and the second article