Kunia veterans blame possible exposure to toxic pesticides for mystery illnesses
Hawaii News Now
By Mahealani Richardson
May 13, 2019
Veterans who worked at Kunia intel site claim pesticide exposure caused cancer, other illnesses
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A group of more than 100 Kunia veterans are suffering from neurological issues, cancer, birth defects and other illnesses after they say they were exposed to toxic pesticides.
Tara Lemieux, 50, of Maryland suffers from hand tremors, memory loss and other health problems.
She believes it stems from her days as an Army specialist from 1991 to 1995 at the Kunia “Tunnel” Field Station near Schofield Barracks.
Lemieux says nine out of the 12 members of her unit have died young.
"They didn't tell us that this beautiful absolutely picturesque once in a lifetime duty station that there was another side to it," said Lemieux.
Back then, the three story underground National Security Agency facility sat below Del Monte pineapple fields.
Lamieux believes she was directly exposed to toxic chemicals in 1991 when a broken water well flooded the underground facility. She and a handful of others were waist deep in water that was oily and smelled like chemicals.
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ReplyDeleteI am just so sorry you and the others had to go through yet another contaminated base. You go into the military knowing the risk but none of you thought more risk would come from where you lived.
DeleteI also came to kunia shortly after the hostage crisis. When operations was on the 3rd floor,
DeleteWhat about the early 70's? Like 1971?
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't the pesticides.
ReplyDeleteWhat then Anoymous?
DeleteI was one of the original team to go into Kunia after the Iranian Hostage taking. The 'parking lot' was a tiny sliver, all overgrown, with a large marijuana grow beside it . The inside was covered with a thick coat of red dust. Everyone carried at least two flashlights as the power was a sometimes thing, and a wrong turn could send yo into a 20 to 60 foot drop. The briefing rooms in the back still had the last Mercury flight plotted on the boards. The 'personnel elevator' did not work, but we put a small bull dozer in the large one, took it to the top floor and started knocking down walls. We then had a massive amount of rubble, so we blasted holes through the floors, backed mining dump trucks under the holes and pushed the rubble down a 60 foot drop (the noise was defening).. The trucks were backed down the tunnel to the MP station area. Above is where we blasted the 30 X 30 foot holes.
ReplyDeleteI have many stories from the first timers, if anyone is interested.
My father was in the Kunia tunnel at the beginning in WW II. He died of pancreatic cancer 7 years later. After reading about the tunnel I now know why he died at 36 not long after returning from there.
DeleteI was there from 94-98. I have large lung nodules, SEVERE NAFLD, memory loss, my teeth started breaking and falling out of my head, I have a multitude of health problems. Can anyone advise if any of these symptoms applies to you?
DeleteI was there from 95 - 2001. I've had no health issues, nor was ever sick during my service.
ReplyDeleteI was stationed here from 1994-1997. Diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 2/7/2024 at 50 years old. Average age of onset for this cancer is seventy. I imagine it be like my fathers agent orange response, or my brothers Gulf war syndrome and the VA will just try to deny and see if claims go away. I’ve got 6-12 months left to live.
ReplyDeleteFrom Kathie Costos---I am so sorry
DeleteVery interesting concerning the history of the Kunia tunnel. I was there when we first opened it back up in early 1980s. Our soldiers were dominant in many interservice athletic programs and I participated in island wide softball tournaments. Many good memories from my three year tour.
ReplyDeleteI was stationed at Kunia from 87 to 91 (05H-98H). Fortunately, not exhibiting symptoms or conditions posted here. I am very sorry for those brothers and sisters that are. If you have not done so already, seek assistance through VA. If denied, there are lawyers out there that can help. Take care.
ReplyDelete