Surging concerns & federal no-shows
by Madi Owens, Collaborative Red Hill Organizer | Reading time: 6.25 minutes
Surge in reporting
In a recent news release the Department of Health (DOH) acknowledged the recent surge in reporting. The DOH addressed approximately 50 complaints regarding tap water and air quality from users of the Navy water system, as reported by a member of the Red Hill Community Representative Initiative. Expressing concern of reports of water issues such as a sheen, foul taste, gastrointestinal problems, rashes, burns, and respiratory issues among Navy waterline families, the DOH claimed to be taking these matters seriously and is directing the Navy to investigate the Waiawa shaft. Due to the Department of Defense’s failure to attend the last CRI meeting the community remains uninformed leaving unanswered questions about the source of the reported issues.
CRI January meeting
Photo: Kevin Knodell, Honolulu Star-Advertiser
The fourth Community Representative Initiative (CRI) meeting took place on Thursday, January 18th at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Initiated with the process of nominations and elections, the CRI addressed vacant positions with Marti Townsend, Lacey Quintero, and Susan Gorman Chang being elected as chair, vice chair, and secretary, respectively.
Despite the significance of the meeting, Federal officials regrettably chose not to attend, leaving critical discussions without their input. This absence, compounded by the Navy and EPA’s attempt to arrange private meetings, raised concerns within the community about the transparency and the accountability of the officials. The CRI, undeterred by the federal no-show, proceeded with the agenda, providing a thorough recap of the previous month's discussions. During the previous CRI meeting, Navy officials promised CRI members updates on their premise plumbing reports and remediation plans. However, without the Navy or the EPA at the January meeting, CRI members and the community are left with no update. Subsequently, CRI members raised their concerns in regard to Karnig Ohannesian, a Deputy Assistant Secretary to the Navy, leading to a motion to replace him due to a history of violent and threatening behavior and concerns about his ability to effectively contribute to CRI meetings.
The meeting also highlighted the proactive involvement of the CRI members in supporting relevant state legislation, showcasing their commitment to advocating for clean water, efficient remediation efforts, and an EPA-certified water testing facility in Hawaiʻi. The presence of Tara Sutton, as a substitute for Susan Gorman Chang, brought attention to critical survey results detecting jet fuel components in tap water along Navy waterlines. The meeting concluded on a positive note with public comments and Q&A, where community members expressed gratitude for the CRI’s unwavering transparency and commitment, even in the face of federal officials’ absence. This demonstrated resilience underscores the CRI’s dedication to addressing community concerns and maintaining open lines of communication, showcasing its essential role in advocating for a safer and healthier environment
CRI Website: https://redhillcri.my.canva.site/
Closure & Long-term remediation update
The current transition from the existing Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) through the newly established Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH) has sparked a heightened sense of concern and scrutiny within the community. This shift signifies a critical phase in the military’s responsibility for the closure of the Navy Red Hill fuel facility. Collaborating with the NCTF-RH, the existing Joint Task Force Red Hill is set to navigate through a “methodical and deliberate approach” in tackling the removal of 60,000 gallons of fuel that couldn't be extracted through gravity alone. This intricate process involves the gradual opening of low point drain and vent valves to collect and dispose of the fuel, with an anticipated completion date by the end of March.
The Navy Task Force-Red Hill plans to remove the additional 4,000 gallons of residual fuel from pipelines and 28,000 gallons of sludge that remain at the bottom of the storage tanks. Despite these measures, a wave of concern has swept through the community, recognizing this as the most challenging and destructive phase of the defueling procedure. The NCTF-RH will also be responsible for removing the 11.5 miles of pipeline from the site starting in late March. After this, NCTF-RH will assume full responsibility for the fuel facility overseeing its closure and long-term environmental remediation.
In the midst of the Navyʻs efforts to construct a narrative emphasizing transparency and commitment to environmental and community well-being, it is crucial for us to maintain vigilance and unwavering focus on the removal of the tanks and the restoration of our environment and our people. We must insist on thorough oversight in the closing of the tanks, demanding the Navy and all relevant parties to take full responsibility and enforce effective remediation measures for all environmental and health impacts.
The community stands at a pivotal moment, challenging the efficacy of mere “procedures and guidelines.” It is imperative to hold the Navy accountable for its actions and ensure that remediation efforts extend beyond superficial measures. By standing in unity, the community can exert collective pressure to demand commitment to lasting solutions beyond the immediate closure of the tanks.
Board of Water Supply rejects $75M to reopen Halawa Shaft
Amidst the critical phase of the Navy Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility defueling process, a $75 million proposal to reopen the Hālawa Shaft was presented to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS). Despite the sizable offer, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply has chosen to reject the proposition, emphasizing the need for thorough testing and analysis before considering such a significant decision.
The November 29th proposal, a collaboration between the State Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sought to tap into a portion of the $400 billion bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding was proposed to the BWS for them to use in aid of reopening the Hālawa shaft, Honolulu's main source of potable water for over 400,000 residents.
The Board of Water Supply asserts that the proposal is premature, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive water and soil testing. Chief engineer Ernie Lau, highlights the necessity to understand the contaminants' nature, movement within soil and water sources and their potential impact on the aquifer. The board insists on scientific analysis before considering the resumption of operations at the Hālawa shaft. Chief engineer Lau further explains the potential catastrophic consequences if the shaft were to be reactivated without the complete understanding of the contamination. The risk of pulling contaminated water into the shaft could lead to irreversible damage, making cleanup impossible and imposing a severe threat to more than 400,000 residents reliant on the Hālawa shaft for their water supply.
In prioritizing the safety and well-being of the community, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply remains firm in its decision to reject the $75 million proposal, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing and analysis before any consideration of reopening the Hālawa shaft. This cautious approach safeguards the city's main source of potable water from potential environmental hazards.
Red Hill bills at the legislature
This year, a number of legislative proposals will seek to apply the lessons learned from the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Facility and the water crisis it has created, from bills setting a common-sense standard of zero for the amount of jet fuel that should remain in our drinking water (HB2268 and SB2923), to those that would help us get a handle on the ultra-toxic “forever chemicals” released from the Red Hill facility and other military and corporate sources.
A rundown of these “Red Hill” bills are listed below. Be sure to check out our CapitolWatch column for Red Hill bills and others that have already been moving - and be sure to also sign up for our CapitolWatch email list to know when public testimonies on critical bills could make all the difference in whether and how they pass into law.
HB1896 | Title: Relating to environmental protection | Committee referrals: EEP, CPC
Prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution for sale, and distribution for use of any food packaging, food service ware, cosmetic, or personal care product that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with certain exceptions.
HB2099 | Title: Relating to environmental toxins laboratory | Committee referrals: EEP/HLT, FIN
Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Allows the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds.
HB2268 | Title: Relating to water quality | Committee referrals: WAL/EEP, JHA
Clarifies the level of environmental restoration owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems that had a confirmed release must satisfy by requiring the removal of all jet fuel, including fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that the detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.
HB2690 | Title: Relating to water | Committee referrals: WAL/EEP, FIN
Establishes a WAI policy coordinator and other positions within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for coordination of Red Hill WAI initiatives. Creates the Red Hill remediation special fund. Appropriates funds.
HB2691 | Title: Relating to the Red Hill Remediation Authority | Committee referrals: WAL/EEP, FIN
Establishes the Red Hill remediation authority. Creates the Red Hill remediation special fund.
HB2783 | Title: Relating to environmental protection | Committee referrals: EEP, CPC, FIN
Establishes the PFAS Testing Grant Program within the Department of Health to provide funding to assist communities, businesses, and residents throughout the State in obtaining testing services and biological sampling to identify and detect perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Makes an appropriation.
HB2784 | Title: Relating to environmental toxins laboratory | Committee referrals: EEP, WAL, FIN
Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Allows the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds.
HB2785 | Title: Relating to wastewater management | Committee referrals: EEP/WAL, FIN
Requires a wastewater treatment plant to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain any amount of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain.
HB2797 | Title: Relating to toxic chemicals | Committee referrals: EEP, CPC, FIN
Establishes a working group to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and related chemicals. Requires a report to the Legislature.
HB2799 | Title: Relating to toxic chemicals | Committee referrals: EEP, JHA, FIN
Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Allows any State resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.
SB2290 | Title: Relating to waste disposal facilities | Committee referrals: AEN/HHS, JDC
Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility for hazardous waste or solid waste on land that is near or above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health, in consultation with the Commission on Water Resource Management.
SB2369 | Title: Related to toxic chemicals | Committee referrals: AEN/HHS, CPN/WAM
Establishes a working group to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and related chemicals. Requires a report to the Legislature.
SB2370 | Title: Relating to wastewater management | Committee referrals: HHS/AEN, WAM
Requires a wastewater treatment plant to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain any amount of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain.
SB2371 | Title: Relating to environmental protection | Committee referrals: HHS/AEN, CPN/WAM
Establishes the PFAS Testing Grant Program within the Department of Health to provide funding to assist communities, businesses, and residents throughout the State in obtaining testing services and biological sampling to identify and detect perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Makes an appropriation.
SB2409 | Title: Relating to environmental toxins laboratory | Committee referrals: HHS/AEN, WAM
Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Allows the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds.
SB2418 | Title: Related to toxic chemicals | Committee referrals: AEN/GVO, WAM
Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Allows any State resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.
SB2427 | Title: Relating to environmental protection | Committee referrals: AEN, CPN
Prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution for sale, and distribution for use of any food packaging, food service ware, cosmetic, or personal care product that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with certain exceptions.
SB2620 | Title: Relating to water conservation | Committee referrals: WTL/HHS, JDC/WAM
Prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate golf courses subject to certain exceptions. Defines potable water.
SB2658 | Title: Relating to state water code penalties | Committee referrals: WTL, JDC/WAM
Adds a minimum penalty of $50 and a maximum penalty of $60,000 per violation of the State Water Code and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to determine the amount of the penalty based on the circumstances of the violation.
SB2759 | Title: Relating to land leases | Committee referrals: WTL, JDC
Prohibits the State from leasing any public lands, or extending the lease of any public lands, to any individual, corporation, or federal agency that is in arrears in the payment of certain moneys to the State, noncompliant with a consent decree or memoranda of agreement with the State that requires environmental maintenance or remediation with regard to the subject public lands, or convicted of a crime. Requires certification by the Office of the Governor before the issuance or extension of any federal lease that the individual, corporation, or federal agency is in good standing with the State. Provides that, if any existing lessee of public lands is found not to be in good standing with the State as of the effective date of this Act, the lessee shall have 3 years, or until the end of the lease term, whichever is sooner, to correct the violation or the lease shall be terminated.
SB2797 | Title: Relating to water catchment | Committee referrals: HHS, WAM
Creates a refundable water catchment income tax credit for a homeowner who installs, places in service, or maintains a water catchment system meeting certain requirements on residential property in the State owned by the homeowner.
SB2914 | Title: Relating to hydrologic data collection | Committee referrals: WTL, WAM
Appropriates funds to improve the State''s water resource management and hydrologic data collection.
SB2923 | Title: Relating to water quality | Committee referrals: HHS/AEN, JDC
Clarifies the level of environmental restoration owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems that had a confirmed release must satisfy by requiring the removal of all jet fuel, including fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that the detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.
SB3338 | Title: Relating to water | Committee referrals: WTL/AEN, WAM/JDC
Establishes a WAI policy coordinator and other positions within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for coordination of Red Hill WAI initiatives. Creates the Red Hill remediation special fund. Appropriates funds.
SB3339 | Title: Relating to the Red Hill Remediation Authority | Committee referrals: WTL/AEN, WAM/JDC
Establishes the Red Hill remediation authority. Creates the Red Hill remediation special fund.
Upcoming events
Open House on JTF-Red Hill (JTF-RD) and Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH)
Wednesday, February 7, 4-7pm
Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial Park, Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Memorial Hall
“The Present and Future State of the Pearl Harbor Aquifer” - UH Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) Seminar
Friday, February 9, 2-3pm
Virtual event—register here
Watada Lecture Series featuring Kamanamaikalani Beamer
Friday-Saturday, February 16-17, 5-7:30pm
Friday, Feb 16th: Dr. Beamer talks about his upcoming book, “Waiwai: Water and the Future of Hawaiʻi” at the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at 5pm
Saturday, Feb 17th: Panel Discussion with Dr. Beamer, Kapua Sproat and Wayne Tanaka at the Church of the Crossroads at 5pm
Learn more and register here
Board of Water Supply Board Meeting
Monday, February 26 at 2pm
Boardroom of the BWS Public Service Building, third floor (630 South Beretania Street)