Popoki Target Area

The Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) property formerly known as the Popoki Target Area occupies 640 acres and is located on the eastern side of the Big Island, at Makuu Popoki Halona, District of Puna. The site is located just off of Keaau Pahoa Road, Highway 130, between the towns of Keaau and Pahoa approximately 7 miles southeast of Keaau next to the Hawaiian Paradise Park.

Approximately 640 acres were acquired by the U.S. Navy through a sublease (date unknown), either with W.H. Shipman, Ltd., or H. Blackshear, then executor of Shipman Estate. The site was reportedly used by the Navy as a target practice area during World War II. Though records could not be found to document such activity, ground reconnaissance revealed deteriorating air-to-ground practice bombs on site. The lease was cancelled on November 1, 1945.

The land within the FUDS property is owned by the State of Hawaii's Department of Hawaiian Homeland and Department of Land and Natural Resources. There are two Areas of Concern within the FUDS property that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be investigating and clearing Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC), Munitions Debris (MD) and Munitions Constituents (MC). Site work will start in 2011 and is estimated to be completed in 2012.