WAIANAE, Hawaii -- Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Defense on Thursday said that military munitions dumped in waters off the Waianae coast do not pose a health or environmental threat, according to a survey the agencies conducted.

The officials gave a briefing by telephone only and would not be interviewed on camera. They also would not release any underwater video. Instead, they offered select pictures on their Web site.

In the most recently completed survey, scientists used sonar to survey what become known as "Ordnance Reef." It is a 5-mile area just off Pokai Bay. The items were dumped there about 60 years ago.

Scientists found clusters of old ammunition varying depths of 24 feet to 300 feet below the surface. Some of it appeared in previously unidentified areas.

Officials found thousands of munitions ranging from small items to large projectiles covered up with coral. Scientists also collected samples of marine life. Two independent labs analyzed the samples.

The lab concluded there is little contamination to marine life or humans, according to NOAA and DOD officials.

Waianae resident William Aila said he does not buy the results. He thinks it is an inaccurate picture of what is happening out on the reef.

He believes the methodology of testing the fish and sediment is flawed. He said the fish livers and brains were not examined separately. The samples were ground up with other tissue and then tested, he said.

"If you are going to shoot for less of an impact, that's how you do it," Aila said. "I don't feel comfortable with the methodology and the results that came from this."

Aila said that there was not enough information gathered for the sediment testing.

"This is a snapshot and weather conditions are different at other times kicking up more concentrations of munitions into the water column," Aila said.

University of Hawaii ocean scientist Eric DeCarlo, who worked on the project, said the sediments are accumulated material and are an accurate representation of what is out there.

The military study did find some metals in the sediment near the sewage outfall off the Waianae treatment plant.

If that is the case, it is something the community needs to take up with the city, Aila said.

The military has tentatively identified other dump sites in the Pacific, but does not plan to release those exact locations until 2009. The military also said that anyone who sees munitions in the water should leave it alone and call 911 to report the sighting.