The Hawaii Department of Health issued an order to the U.S. Navy to stop operations at the Red Hill fuel facility last month, something U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) has expressed concern over, as the fuel affects drinking water.
On Jan. 4, Schatz posted on Facebook saying that the Department of Health had finalized the order directing the Navy to not only cease operations but also to defuel the facility. Schatz made a joint statement, along with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-Hi) and Rep. Kaiali’i Kahele (D-HI), in support of the Health Department's action.
"The Navy must fully comply with the order and begin the process of planning and executing the safe removal of fuel that continues to pose a threat to Oahu’s drinking water,” the joint statement reads. “Defueling safely will require a coordinated effort, and the delegation will do everything possible to support this effort. Clean drinking water is essential to our health and safety, and our future. We all agree this cannot be compromised for anything.”
According to a Dec. 8 report by Military.com, the Navy is fighting this order, which would require the removal of fuel from 20 underground storage facilities. Craig Jensen, an attorney representing the Navy, sent a letter to the Department of Health saying the order will be challenged, but he did not give a reason.
Navy officials have said they stopped transferring fuel at the tank on Nov. 27 to investigate petroleum contamination of a well that supplies drinking water to military housing areas in Oahu, as well as some parts of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a press conference that this had been monitored for several months, but there was no problem found until families complained of odor and illnesses beginning Nov. 28.
Military.com reported that about 1,000 families complained that the water smelled like fuel. Some had rashes, nosebleeds or gastrointestinal issues. The Red Hill well is located near one of the facilities, which also is on top of an aquifer that brings water to 400,000 Honolulu residents.
Clean water has been brought in by the Navy to families affected, and they were also offered alternate accommodations.