News 2022
December 22, 2022
Civil Beat
Removing Red Hill Tanks Poses ‘High Risk,’ Navy Report Says
December 21, 2022
Board of Water Supply (BWS)
Review letters and documents from the BWS, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Health regarding Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/protect-oahu-water/news-updates/afff-and-pfas
Hawaii News Now
Schatz: Answers coming ‘very slowly’ in probe of Red Hill toxic foam spill
December 20, 2022
Hawaii News Now
EPA seeks public comments on consent order for Red Hill defueling, closure
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/12/21/epa-seeks-public-comments-consent-order-red-hill-closure/
December 19, 2022
Civil Beat
Hawaii Lawmakers Call For Investigation Into Chemical Spills At Red Hill
December 18, 2022
Civil Beat
Firefighting Foam Spilled At Red Hill Before. The Navy Didn’t Notify Anyone
December 15, 2022
Hawaii News Now
Military’s new Red Hill clinic to staff skin, brain, stomach and behavioral health specialists
December 13, 2022
Hawaii News Now
Red Hill lawsuit expands to include latest reports of 'forever chemicals' detected in drinking water
Video: https://youtu.be/JDN7TCktM1A
Civil Beat
Delayed Notification Of Toxic Chemicals In Red Hill Water Draws Criticism
December 12, 2022
Civil Beat
Danny De Gracia: The US Should Fire Navy Red Hill Commanders Until It Finds A Responsible Leader
December 10, 2022
Hawaii News Now
EPA, DOH letter reveals ‘forever chemicals’ were detected in groundwater near Red Hill last year
December 5, 2022
Civil Beat
Kahele: Navy’s Latest Red Hill Leak Shows ‘Horrifying Negligence’
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/kahele-navys-latest-red-hill-leak-shows-horrifying-negligence/
December 2, 2022
Hawaii News Now
New aerial video shows contamination zone at Red Hill following spill of toxic fire suppressant
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/12/03/exclusive-video-red-hill-contamination-zone/
November 29, 2022
Hawaii News Now
Clean-up underway after ‘egregious’ firefighting foam spill near Red Hill fuel facility
Civil Beat
A New Leak At Red Hill Dumps Hundreds Of Gallons Of Firefighting Foam
November 21, 2022
KHON
Red Hill fuel water contamination impacts still felt one year later
November 9, 2022
Civil Beat
Hundreds Of Red Hill Families Still Sick A Year Later, Survey Finds
November 1, 2022
Civil Beat
Navy Plans To Close Red Hill Fuel Facility By 2027 But Keep Empty Tanks In Place
October 25, 2022
KHON2 News
93K gallons of fuel removed from Red Hill as unpacking begins
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/93k-gallons-of-fuel-removed-from-red-hill/
October 24, 2022
Civil Beat
Military Sets A New Date To Start Draining Fuel From Red Hill Pipelines
October 17, 2022
Civil Beat
Families Demand Answers After Navy Water Main Breaks Near Pearl Harbor
October 7, 2022
Civil Beat
Hawaii Gives The Military The Go-Ahead To Start Draining Fuel From Red Hill
October 3, 2022
Civil Beat
The commander of a new task force aimed at safely removing fuel from the WWII-era facility promised accountability and transparency in dealing with the aftermath of last year’s leaks.
September 23, 2022
Civil Beat
EPA Finds Navy Violated Environmental Rules At Red Hill, Hickam
https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/09/epa-finds-navy-violated-environmental-rules-at-red-hill-hickam/
August 31, 2022
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Military families sue federal government over Red Hill fuel leak
August 22, 2022
Hawaii News Now
Rusty tanks, corroded valves: Probe finds potential violations with military water system
August 4, 2022
Civil Beat
Cancer-Causing Fuel Components Detected In A BWS Monitoring Well In Honolulu
July 19, 2022
Hawaii News Now
State lawmakers blast Navy on ‘incomplete’ plan to defuel Red Hill
July 5, 2022
Civil Beat
WATCH: Fuel Spewed ‘Full Blast’ Into Red Hill Tunnel In November
https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/07/watch-fuel-spewed-full-blast-into-red-hill-tunnel-in-november/
June 30, 2022
CNN
Navy finds series of failures led to fuel leak at Hawaii military facility that sickened families
https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/30/politics/fuel-leak-hawaii-military-facility-red-hill-navy/index.html
DOH
DOH Releases Red Hill Defueling Plan, Command Investigation
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-releases-red-hill-defueling-plan-command-investigation/
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Defueling Plan: https://health.hawaii.gov/about/files/2022/06/Dept-of-Defense-Red-Hill-Defueling-Plan-for-Release-on-30-June-2022.pdf
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Navy’s Command Investigation: https://health.hawaii.gov/about/files/2022/06/FOIA-Release-Red-Hill-CI-June-2022.pdf
June 27, 2022
Hawaii New Now
Watchdogs worry about more delays as Navy prepares to submit Red Hill plan
June 21, 2022
Hawaii News Now
Former Navy diver describes Red Hill contamination: ‘We were up against a huge problem’
May 31, 2022
Hawaii Public Radio
Red Hill fuel tanks need repairs before draining, Navy contractor report says
May 27, 2022
Civil Beat
Consultant: Fixing Red Hill’s Decrepit Infrastructure Could Take 2 Years
KHON
Contractors say critical repairs needed to safely defuel Red Hill (Report released)
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/contractors-say-critical-repairs-needed-to-safely-defuel-red-hill/
DOH - (Independent contractors assessment on facility operations delivered to Navy April 29, 2022)
Final Assessment Report Assessment of Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility - Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
https://health.hawaii.gov/about/files/2022/05/SGH-Red-Hill-Final-Assessment-Redacted.pdf
May 18, 2022
KITV
Commission on Water Resource Management addresses Navy over pumping issue
May 14, 2022
KITV
New data released on Red Hill fuel contamination
May 13, 2022
DOH
Fuel Tank Advisory Committee Meeting
https://health.hawaii.gov/ust/submenu/fuel-tank-advisory-committee-meeting-13-may-2022/
May 10, 2022
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Investigations into Red Hill water crisis drag on
May 9, 2022
KHON2 News
DOH: Navy waives right to contested case hearing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmRIIZNDTZM
DOH
Navy Waives Right To Contest Doh Red Hill Emergency Order
“The Navy must provide DOH with its independent contractor’s assessment on facility operations by May 13, a plan and implementation schedule to defuel by June 30, and a plan for closure of the facility by November 1.”
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/navy-waives-right-to-contest-doh-red-hill-emergency-order/
May 6, 2022
KITV
100+ families file health claims against the Navy for Red Hill Facility water contamination
DOH
New Red Hill Emergency Order Sets Expectations For Safe Defueling And Closure Of Red Hill
May 5, 2022
Civil Beat
Red Hill Water Contamination Sickened Some 2,000 People, Survey Finds
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/red-hill-water-contamination-sickened-some-2000-people-survey-finds
May 4, 2022
DOH
DOH Red Hill Status Report #2
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-red-hill-status-report-1/
April 30, 2022
Common Dreams
It's Taking Nine Years to Replace Underground Jet Fuel Tanks in Washington State—Red Hill Can't Wait That Long: Citizen pressure is critical to keep DOD's feet to the fire to defuel the Red Hill tanks before another catastrophic fuel leak occurs here on O'ahu.
April 27, 2022
VICE News
How Military Jet Fuel Leaked Into Hawaii's Drinking Water
April 22, 2022
Civil Beat
Feds Agree To Stop Fighting Order To Drain Red Hill
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/feds-agree-to-stop-fighting-order-to-drain-red-hill/
April 21, 2022
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
Joint Base Water Update
April 20, 2022
DOH
DOH Red Hill Status Report #1
As part of its responsibility to protect public health and the environment for all people in Hawai‘i, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) provides biweekly status reports on matters concerning the defueling, monitoring, and remediation of the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility.
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-red-hill-status-report-1/
April 13, 2022
Civil Beat
Red Hill Crisis Underscores Water Insecurity In Hawaii
https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/04/red-hill-crisis-underscores-water-insecurity-in-hawaii/
April 12, 2022
Civil Beat
Survey: Protecting Drinking Water Is Top Priority For Honolulu Residents
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Gov. David Ige pushes Board of Water Supply to repair wells to boost water supply
April 11, 2022
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Students, staff at schools affected by Red Hill fuel leak remain wary of tap water
April 10, 2022
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Oahu developers face fallout from the Navy’s Red Hill water crisis
April 8, 2022
GOV
DOH News Release: State Approves Installation of Eight New Red Hill Monitoring Wells
Civil Beat
Hawaii Approves New Monitoring Wells To Track Red Hill Fuel Pollution
April 5, 2022
KHON 2
Navy Reports Another Spill at Red Hill
April 4, 2022
USNI NEWS
Navy Relieves Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor CO Over Red Hill Leak
Civil Beat
Navy Captain Fired After Latest Red Hill Fuel Leak
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/navy-captain-fired-after-latest-red-hill-fuel-leak/
Civil Beat
Where Is The Red Hill Contamination Moving? Experts Are ‘Working Blind’
April 1, 2022
Civil Beat
Another Red Hill Leak: Fuel And Water Spilled From Facility Pipeline, Navy Says
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/another-red-hill-leak-fuel-and-water-spill-from-facility-pipeline/
DOH
DOH Investigating Red Hill Release of Fuel And Water Mixture
March 29, 2022
Hawaii News Now
BWS chief engineer worries Red Hill fuel contamination could be spreading
March 28, 2022
US DOD
The Department of Defense Releases the President's Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Budget
“$1 billion for a new Red Hill Recovery Fund to enable DoD to quickly and flexibly address the health, environmental, and national security needs of the Hawaii community and the Department”
Civil Beat
Defense Department Seeks $1 Billion To Cover Red Hill Expenses
https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/defense-department-seeks-1-billion-to-cover-red-hill-expenses/
KHON2 News
$1B to defuel Red Hill included in President Biden's annual budget request
“…we don’t know exactly what this is going to cost, I think a billion dollars is certainly a very impressive down payment…”
“…the other thing to remember about this language is that its extremely flexible, it allows the resources to be spent however necessary in Millitary construction if that is necessary, cash resources, the de-fueling itself…” -Sen. Brian Schatz
“Full remediation, de-fueling, and closure of Red Hill and identification of alternate strategic fuel storage capacity and the Indo-Pacific will take sustained federal funding in the billions over several fiscal years.” -Rep. Ed Case
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWolxRstnyA
March 25, 2022
Common Dreams - Ann Wright
Navy Decisions on Red Hill Jet Fuel Tanks Very Costly to Military Families, Taxpayers, and Hawaii's Environment: $1.1 billion and counting for U.S. Navy's obstinance in shutting down dangerous, leaking red hill jet fuel tanks in Honolulu.
March 21, 2022
Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Post-Exceedance Drinking Water Results Confirm Water Safe to Drink
March 18, 2022
DOH
DOH Declares Four Navy Drinking Water Distribution System Zones Safe
Hawaii News Now
DOH declares all 19 zones affected by Navy’s tainted water system safe to drink
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/03/18/doh-declares-all-19-zones-navy-water-system-safe-drink/
March 7, 2022
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
"This is a multi step process. Throughout the process, we will work closely with Hawaii's Department of Health and with the Environmental Protection Agency to safely defuel theRed Hill facility. No later than May 31, the Secretary of the Navy and director of the Defense Logistics Agency will provide an action plan for safe and expeditious defueling of the facility with the completion date target of 12 months. Then, as soon as we'vemade corrective actions to ensure the defueling will be safe, we will begin defueling.
Civil Beat
Pentagon To Close Red Hill Fuel Facility Permanently Amid Contamination Crisis
February 28, 2022
DOH
Navy in non-compliance with DOH Red Hill Emergency Order
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/files/2022/03/22-022-Navy-in-non-compliance-with-
DOH-Red-Hill-Emergency-Order.pdf
January 10, 2021
Hawaii News Now
Navy now faces an ‘ambitious timeline’ to drain Red Hill fuel storage tanks
January 4, 2021
Civil Beat
Hawaii Health Officials Review Drinking Water Standards After Red Hill Fuel Crisis
KHON2 News
State allowed more fuel in water years before Red Hill crisis; BWS wants lower limit restored
The state used to draw the line at 100 parts per billion for taste and smell, and 160 for drinking, until 2017 when acceptable levels jumped to 500 and 400 respectively.
“It’s intuitively saying that it’s okay to drink the water even if it smells. And we all know that’s counterintuitive,” explained Erwin Kawata from BWS. “What they had previously was much, much, much, much more protective. It was actually the reverse.”
December 15, 2021
NPR
Thousands displaced from Oahu military base due to contamination in Navy water system
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/15/1064514935/water-contamination-hawaii
January 30, 2014
Civil Beat
Red Hill: EPA May Force New Fuel Leak Detection System for Toxic Spills
2014
27,000 Gallons spilled
1948
46,000 Gallons spilled
1943
Tanks open
1940
Construction begins
Action: NOW
It is more than time for this massive source of pollution to be removed – for the fuel to be removed from the tanks, and for the tanks to be decommissioned, and for the land and the water to be cleaned. The Navy has made this a fight about national security, but how can we the people be secure if our water is poisoned and life begins to stress in a place where thriving is what we are about? It is not a win to flush pipes or filter every drop of water we use from now on. It is not a win to be fearful of the water that comes out of the tap.
Mālama i ka wai - Protect our water. It is our responsibility to be good stewards and to leave this place better than when we were born into it. This most definitely includes caring for the water. Water is life.