Have you checked out The Hot Seat? It's our opinion-page blog that brings in your elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On The Hot Seat last week was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Tad Davis. Below is an excerpt from that session. (Names of questioners are screen names given during our online chat.)

Kekona K.: Your reports might say there is no danger or "immediate threat" to the public. But, Mr. Davis, the fact is the Army made this mess, and the Army should clean it up. Why won't you commit to doing that now? Do you feel you are being a good neighbor, or better yet, a good steward of the environment?

Tad Davis: I believe the Army, on behalf of the Department of Defense, is committed to taking action based on our presence here this week, and our desire to ensure deliberate collaboration with the local community, state and federal partners to determine the way ahead. The Army, in particular, has embraced the sustainability movement and is committed to working with the state on its Sustainable Hawai'i 2050 initiative.

Bill Prescott: Mr. Davis, when compared to sparklers, rockets and other holiday fireworks, how concerned should we be about those igniters found on our Wai'anae beaches recently?

Tad Davis: The military munitions that have periodically washed ashore along some beaches of the Wai'anae coast are propellant grains. They are not explosive.

These propellant grains are similar to a Fourth of July sparkler, but they burn more rapidly. Like a sparkler, mishandling could cause a severe burn. They are not as hazardous as fireworks that can explode and cause serious injury.

Even though the risk is very low, I encourage all to follow the 3Rs (recognize — you may have encountered a munition; retreat — do not touch it; report — advise a lifeguard or responsible adult).

Sen. Russell Kokubun: The United States Army is actively instituting sustainability practices and principles, especially here in Hawai'i. Please explain this mission and how the broader community may benefit.

Tad Davis: The Army is committed to sustainability here in Hawai'i, in particular, working with the state and local communities to conserve resources and reduce consumption. Through our efforts we are taking steps today to preserve precious resources such as air, land and water for future generations. We are "Building Green, Buying Green and Going Green."

Tina: Mr. Davis, first let me say thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I'm a little concerned about taking my children to the beach. What are the chances of one or more of the munitions going off? When do you think that cleanup of the Wai'anae coast will begin?

Tad Davis: You should not be concerned about taking your children to the beach, I was there Tuesday. It is highly unlikely you will encounter a munition, but I do recommend you and your children follow the 3R's mentioned earlier (recognize, retreat and report). We are working deliberately with local community, state and federal partners to determine the appropriate response and timeline.

Marti: Last night's presentation seemed to focus on whether the munitions in the ocean are the cause of the health problems along the Wai'anae Coast. It seems impossible to say to what extent the munitions have harmed people's health, but everyone nonetheless seems to agree that the munitions in the ocean have contributed to the problems we are seeing.

Since the military has contributed to the problem, it seems reasonable to expect it will contribute to the solution. Will the military contribute to health services and assessments that the people of Hawai'i need?

Tad Davis: We are providing the state Department of Health the information obtained to date. Further, we are providing this information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its review.

Steve Doyle: For many years, the U.S. Navy used the island of Kaho'olawe for bombing practice until President George H.W. Bush ordered the Navy to stop. In the ensuing 10 years, and after considerable debate, the Defense Department finally awarded a $330 million contract to Parsons-UXB, in partnership with local firm Austin Tsutsumi & Associates, to commence ordnance cleanup and return Kaho'olawe to its original condition.

Despite the "spin" by NOAA and the military, including yesterday evening's meeting in Nanakuli, that the ammunition caches dumped off of Pearl Harbor and the Wai'anae Coast during and after WWII pose no threat to residents and beach visitors, many Hawaiian citizens don't believe it.

Will it take over a decade, millions of dollars and an act of Congress for the Defense Department (understanding the legitimate public concerns) to start the cleanup of the munitions that it many times dumped in shallow waters and are still washing up on beaches, and remain a continuing risk to beachgoers?

Tad Davis: We are working deliberately with Hawai'i's congressional delegation to address this issue.

Terri: Besides conventional munitions, chemical weapons were dumped in our ocean. Please tell us what kinds of chemical weapons were dumped and what damages can occur to humans and ocean life if chemicals are leaked into the environment. Also, did similar dumpings take place in Guam and Okinawa? And if so where in Guam and Okinawa did they take place?

Tad Davis: In March 2007 we provided Congress a report of the disposal of chemical munitions in U.S. waters.

Provide us your e-mail address and we will provide the specific Web site.

Philip Morales: While I was at the meeting last night in Nanakuli, I did not have the opportunity to ask my question due to time constraints. However, my question involves the actual disposal of the munitions. The military will not usually dispose of serviceable munitions. Therefore, my question would involve the condition of the munitions prior to their disposal. Were the munitions considered unserviceable? And if so, what were the reasons for disposal? Were any of the munitions exuding, exposed, damaged or deteriorated prior to the disposal?

I would like to add one more point concerning the comments made on the hazards of the munitions. While a weapon that is not fuzed is a lot safer than that of a fuzed weapon, these facts apply to ideal conditions. Sitting at the bottom of the ocean cannot be considered ideal and sooner or later the chemicals will leak.

Tad Davis: Aloha Philip, Following WWII, the military disposed of excess, obsolete and unserviceable munitions, some disposed at sea.

koonohiokala: Is it true that our state is allocating $2.3 million to the military to research and report on the issue? If so, why does the military need money to clean up/report on its own mess?

Tad Davis: Many thanks for your note. Congress is providing the military $2.3 million.