Issue – Proposed Irradiation Plant in 15th District

Senator Norman Sakamoto
January 18, 2007

The Honolulu Advertiser on January 9 reported that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be holding a public meeting on Pa'ina Hawaii LLC's application for an irradiator situated next to the Honolulu International Airport.1  The meeting will be held on February 1 at the Ala Moana Hotel from 6-9 p.m. 

The purpose of the meeting is to present an overview of the initial environmental assessment and to receive public comments.  Both written and oral comments will be received.  Individual oral comments may have to be limited by the time available. 

There has been much concern about the proposed irradiator because of the possibility of radioactive contamination.  In its December 27th editorial, the Honolulu Advertiser notes that the report's silence on the possible threat of terrorist attack is "inexcusable."2

Senator Sakamoto notes: "We cannot afford any mishaps -- whether accidentally caused during operation or caused by a catastrophic event -- which would close our airport for days or weeks." 

1 Jan TenBruggencate, "Irradiation meeting set," Honolulu Advertiser, January 9, 2007, http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jan/09/ln/FP701090347.html/?print=onhttp://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jan/09/ln/FP701090347.html/?print=on. 

2 Editorial, "Irradiator study needs additional disclosures," Honolulu Advertiser, December 27, 2006, http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Dec/27/op/FP612270322.html/?print=on