News Roundup: December 2024
- Admin
- Dec 31
- 4 min read
Red Hill in December: Progress, Proposals, and Public Frustration
As 2024 came to a close, the long shadow of the Red Hill fuel spill continued to loom over Oʻahu. December brought both promising developments and new tensions — from federal funding boosts to sharp community backlash. Here’s a roundup of what happened this month in the ongoing fight to protect Hawaiʻi’s water.
Red Hill Registry Opens Pre-Enrollment
The University of Hawaiʻi announced that the Red Hill Health Registry is officially open for pre-enrollment. This federally funded initiative is designed to track the long-term health impacts of the fuel spill and connect affected residents with health resources.
Those impacted can now begin the pre-registration process at RedHillRegistry.org.
NDAA Passes with Major Red Hill Provisions
Both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House passed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — a sweeping bill that includes over $500 million for Red Hill-related projects.
Among the highlights:
• $505 million is earmarked for a multi-year Navy water treatment plant project to clean and reopen the Red Hill shaft.
• A new classification system for major mishaps was introduced to ensure greater DOD accountability — a direct response to Red Hill, spearheaded by Sen. Mazie Hirono.
• Spectrum News reported that total DOD investments in Hawaiʻi facilities exceed $2.2 billion in this bill alone.
Tensions Boil Over at CRI Meetings
The Red Hill Community Representation Initiative (CRI) met twice in December — on December 12 and December 22 — but frustration dominated both meetings, especially after the Navy failed to show up for the December 12 session.
Local media covered the community’s response. In this Hawaii News Now video, residents expressed anger and disappointment, reinforcing the theme that trust in military leadership remains low.
A New Landfill Site Raises Familiar Alarms
Oʻahu’s water defenders raised red flags when the city proposed a new landfill site above the island’s water supply. In a Civil Beat report, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply strongly opposed the plan.
Board Manager Ernie Lau didn’t mince words — in this December 17 Hawaii News Now article and video interview, he called the proposal “Red Hill No. 2,” citing parallels between the two environmental risks. His message: we’ve seen this before — and it didn’t end well.
The Navy Updates… Quietly
While the Navy was absent from the December 12 CRI meeting, it did release an official November operational update through its Closure Task Force. The update includes progress reports on defueling operations and water treatment efforts — but lacks the engagement the community continues to demand.
The BWS Board of Directors’ November 25 meeting also touched on related issues and emphasized the importance of long-term planning.
Hopeful for a better year ahead.
December was a microcosm of the entire Red Hill saga: strong community voices demanding better and an ongoing trust gap between the public and the military. As we turn the corner into 2025, one thing is clear — the work of safeguarding Hawaiʻi’s water will require persistence, partnership, and above all, listening to the people most affected. Ola i ka wai. Water is life.
November News Stories:
December 30, 2024
UH News
Red Hill Registry opens pre-enrollment for impacted community members
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2024/12/30/red-hill-registry-pre-enrollment/Registry: https://redhillregistry.org/
December 22, 2024
Red Hill CRI
Red Hill Community Representation Initiative CRI Meeting #14
December 19, 2024
Maui Now News
Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act containing over $11B in Hirono-led provisions
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 85-14 and now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. -- Hirono said. “I am also glad the bill contains a provision I introduced following the Red Hill fuel spills to create a new classification for major mishaps within the DOD to ensure a more thorough investigative process and provide for greater oversight and accountability of such incidents.”
Spectrum News
U.S. Senate passes defense bill that includes funds for Hawaii
"The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, passed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, includes many provisions that directly impact Hawaii — Authorizes over $2.2 billion in DOD investment in Hawaii facilities, including $1.2 billion for Dry Dock 3 replacement at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, $505 million for the Water Treatment Plant at Red Hill..."
December 17, 2024
Board of Water Supply
Board of Water Supply manager calls proposed landfill site ‘Red Hill Two’
“It’s a no go. I call it Red Hill No. 2 because there are some parallels,” said Lau.
December 13, 2024
Red Hill CRI
CRI Meeting #15 (December 12, 2024)
Navy a no-show.
Hawaii News Now
Frustration mounts after Navy no-shows Red Hill meeting
Board of Water Supply
BWS Board of Directors Meeting November 25, 2024
December 11, 2024
Sen. Ed Case
Case Announces Final U.S. House Approval Of The Annual National Defense Authorization Act Including $1.4 Billion In Military Construction Projects For Hawaii
As requested by Case, the NDAA authorizes $505 million for a multi-year project by the Navy to build a water treatment plant to treat water from the Red Hill shaft, which would allow the shaft to be reopened and help remove any residual contaminants from the ground surrounding Red Hill. To begin this important project, the NDAA recommends appropriating $75 million for the project in FY 2025.
December 10, 2024
Civil Beat
New Oʻahu Landfill Site Is Above Island’s Water Supply
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposes the decision, but the mayor and the director of the Department of Environmental Services think they can prevent leaks.
December 6, 2024
Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill (NCTF-RH)
Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill November Operational Update
