'Buried at Sea' -- A KHON2 Special Report

Links to all reports in a series about chemical weapons dumped at sea off Hawaii's shores:

Oct. 29: Chemical weapons offshore

There are thousands of tons of chemical weapons lying just miles off Hawaii's coast. That's according to Army documents detailing ocean dumping going back 60 years.

Oct. 30: Risks to the environment

Aging World War II bombs and mortars can spill their contents into our ocean. There's been no comprehensive clean-up, and the Army says it has no plans to do so.

-- The Army's response on the environment

Oct. 31: Residents suspect cancer connection

Chemical weapons were dumped in our ocean decades ago near a coast that today reports a high cancer rate. Some victims' families and doctors suspect a connection.

--  The Army's response on health effects

Nov. 3: Are weapons dumped close to shore chemical?

We boarded a Waianae dive boat and traveled less than a mile from shore to a weapons junkyard. It's a place divers call 'Ordnance Reef' because there are so many old bombs and mortar shells.

-- The Army's response on remediation

Nov. 4: Insider's diary reveals more weapons dumped

We have an insider's diary that reveals more weapons were dumped than previously thought. And another first-hand witness tells us disposal took place elsewhere years after the military said it stopped.

Nov. 7: EPA acknowledges weapons risk

Chemical weapons material and unexploded ordnance may put the environment at risk, along with the health of humans and fish. We found an EPA draft report that provides the most detail yet from a federal agency acknowledging the risk.

Nov. 7: Hawaiians speak out against weapons

Native Hawaiian groups have protested the military's presence in Hawaii for decades, from the target practice on Kahoolawe to battles against a Stryker Brigade in the islands. Many Hawaiian leaders say the latest report on munitions found in Hawaiian waters is another example of what's been preached for years.

Nov. 8: Congressman demands answers from Pentagon

They're weapons of mass destruction, tens of thousands of tons of chemical munitions dumped at sea decades ago. Congressman Neil Abercrombie wants answers from the Secretary of the Army about the risks, and says he'd stand behind a cleanup effort that could rival Kahoolawe.

Nov. 9: Army weapons list didn't reach the top

A retired Army general from Hawaii says clean-up of chemical weapons disposed at sea wasn't discussed under his watch, even though the Army's list of dump sites was done while he was in charge.

Nov. 10: State calls for chemical weapon clean-up

Both the governor and the general in charge of the state Department of Defense want something done. They've already begun working with the U.S. Pacific Command -- which oversees all U.S. military branches operating throughout the region.

Nov. 11: Veteran knows chemical dangers firsthand

A World War II veteran in Hawaii still bears the scars of mustard gas. He was part of an experiment on troops in the 1940s. Now, knowing the chemical is among munitions buried at sea, he hopes the military will do something about it.

Nov. 11: Waianae legislator, residents want clean-up

Residents of the Waianae coast -- including some war veterans -- want something done about weapons dumped off their shores. A senator from Waianae believes a law passed this year could be one way to get things moving.

Nov. 13: Rep. Case expects Army briefing this week

Another leader is adding his voice to the call for a clean-up of chemical weapons dumped in the ocean. In response to KHON2's coverage of what's "Buried at Sea," Hawaii Congressman Ed Case says he'll be receiving a briefing by the Army in Washington this week.

Nov. 14: Congressmen seeking answers

In response to our "Buried at Sea" series uncovering disposal of thousands of tons of chemical weapons, Hawaii's congressional delegation demanded more information from the Pentagon about what's out there and how it can be cleaned up.

Nov. 15: Army updates Abercrombie

A preliminary report on weapons dumped at sea off Hawaii's coast could be handed over by the Army as early as next week.

Nov. 16: Investigation in Washington underway

An investigation is underway in Washington as the Army looks into the dumping of chemical weapons off Hawaii's waters decades ago.

Nov. 17: Cleanup funds sought in federal budget

Rep. Ed Case met with Army officials Thursday morning in Washington for a briefing about the munitions dumping revealed in our series 'Buried at Sea.' He wants money for chemical weapons cleanup included in the next federal budget.

Nov. 25: Mayor briefed on munitions dumping

Mayor Mufi Hannemann says the military is pledging to fully investigate the discarding of munitions -- including chemical weapons -- off Oahu.

Dec. 13:  Pentagon report expected in early '06

The Pentagon says it will take several more months to determine the full extent of chemical weapons dumped off Hawaii's shores. Reports by KHON2 News prompted congressional inquiries about munitions buried at sea decades ago.

Dec. 15: Pentagon gives local update on chemical weapons 

The top pentagon official in charge of investigating chemical weapons disposal at sea briefed Hawaii lawmakers on Thursday. A joint panel of state House and Senate lawmakers heard his report, with dozens of concerns citizens looking on.

Dec. 16: Army will examine munitions just off Waianae 

A top Pentagon official says the Army will examine the nature of old bombs and mortars found within diving distance off the Waianae coast.

Jan. 23, 2006:  New accounts of cancerous explosive weapons

Besides thousands of tons of chemical weapons dumped offshore, a longtime Navy diver says conventional bombs he's seen could be just as dangerous.

Jan. 31, 2006: Federal dollars sought to assess weapons solution

Congressman Neil Abercrombie will introduce a bill to research weapons dump sites and assess clean-up costs. That's in response to KHON2's series "Buried at Sea."

 

Feb. 1, 2006: Pentagon reports to lawmakers on weapons at sea

 

Answering congressional demands after our series "Buried at Sea," the Pentagon has given Washington lawmakers its first report about weapons dumped off Hawaii's coast. There appears to be more out there than once thought.

 

Feb. 2, 2006: Chemical weapons found at Schofield Barracks

 

First at sea, now on land. KHON2 reveals chemical weapons on base at Schofield Barracks. Nearly 150 suspect munitions were found during preparation for the Stryker Brigade.

 

Feb. 3, 2006: Chemical weapons at Schofield Barracks to be destroyed

 

Following KHON2's report uncovering chemical weapons on base at Schofield Barracks, the Army plans to destroy the munitions there.

 

Feb, 16, 2006:  Weapons-at-sea solution proposed for national defense bill

 

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress calls for surveying and possibly cleaning up chemical weapons disposed off Hawaii's coast. Weapons dumped at sea have caused human injuries, and the disposal and its consequences were kept silent for decades... revealed in Hawaii in KHON2's investigative series "Buried at Sea."