As coronavirus case numbers soar, the state prepares to host Rimpac, the world’s largest international maritime military exercise.
In a year when the coronavirus has caused multinational war games to be conducted virtually or canceled, the world’s largest international maritime military exercise begins in Hawaii next week.
The Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) war games, which run through the end of August, come as Hawaii struggles to contain community spread of the coronavirus amid what has become the highest reproduction rate in the country.
Critics of the exercise have protested against Rimpac for years, citing environmental degradation, increased sexual exploitation during military “liberty” port visits, the unwanted militarization of indigenous land, water and air, and now fear of increased Covid-19 risk. Läs artikel