WAIANAE, Hawaii - U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii representatives and environmental officials reviewed cultural resource guidelines and annual findings concerning cultural preservation at Makua Military Reservation, Feb. 24, here.
The Army entered into a programmatic agreement with the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Office, along with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, in April 2009. The pact identified 121 historic properties at MMR, and it outlined how the Army's Cultural Resources program would identify and treat all known and future sites.
The USAG-HI Cultural Resources program, staffed with archaeologists and architectural historians, reported that two new cultural features were discovered in 2010 during a vegetation clearance project at MMR. Both features will undergo a formal evaluation, but appear to be sections of a wall, according to cultural resource officials.
Garrison officials also provided updated information on boundary markings of known historic properties at MMR. The stakes that are posted allow clear views both during the day and at night, with the aid of night vision goggles. Boundary marking was first initiated three years prior to the programmatic agreement.
"This process provides another important opportunity in our efforts to encourage an open dialogue with the community," said Robert Eastwood, director, Directorate of Public Works, and overseer of the Cultural Resources program.
The USAG-HI Cultural Resources program is responsible for identifying and protecting historic properties on Army installations in Hawaii; provides cultural awareness training for military and civilian personnel concerning MMR; and routinely consults with numerous organizations concerning the traditional, religious and cultural importance of historic properties within the boundaries of MMR.
"The Army recognizes that we are stewards of these lands, and we take seriously the trust provided us to preserve and protect these historic areas," said Col. Douglas Mulbury, commander, USAG-HI.
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