(ABOVE VIDEO) Kalani Flores testifies during last Wednesday’s OHA meeting in Kona. Video by David Corrigan.

NEWS BRIEFS

• On September 17, during an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee meeting in Kona, E. Kalani Flores testified about Pohakuloa Training Area, which sits on the sacred piko of the island.
• Flores said the military is not following federal rules and laws. He said they should conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement for all the facilities that are being installed at the training area, instead of the piecemeal approach that requires only Environmental Assessments. They should also be doing a comprehensive archaeological inventory survey, Flores said, as well as a traditional cultural properties assessment. All are required, he said.
• OHA CEO Kamana’opono Crabbe told Flores that steps are already being taken to work more closely with the new commander at Pohakuloa, LTC Jacob Peterson.
• Flores said he has little hope… After serving on the Pohakuloa Cultural Advisory Committee, Flores says he was dismissed by PTA officials. He assumes it was because he “was pressing too much” on Section 106 cultural consultations.

E. Kalani Flores testifies before the OHA Board of Trustees on Pohakuloa.