HAWAIIANS OUST US ARMY IN HAWAI`I
Appeals Court Agrees Stryker Brigade Must Go
By Tara Godvin - Associated Press
A federal appeals court said today the U.S. Army's plan to create a 3,800-soldier Stryker Brigade in the islands violated environmental laws by not properly considering all alternatives — including creating the new brigade someplace other than Hawai`i.
A three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the Army must now complete a supplemental analysis that would consider a variety of locations for the Stryker Brigade.
David Henkin, a lawyer for Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of three Native Hawaiian groups, said the ruling means the Army must stop all Stryker-specific construction and training in Hawai`i.
The Army wouldn't be able to resume the construction and training until another court decides what specific activities the Army would be permitted until it's back in compliance with the law, Henkin said.
Henkin represents the `Ilio`ulaokalani Coalition, Na Imi Pono and Kipuka.
