Red Hill Updates: Federal Actions Raise Questions and Few Answers Regarding Red Hill Decommissioning and Environmental Clean-Up
By Madison Owens, Red Hill Organizer, Rosalie Luo, Volunteer, and Wayne Tanaka, Chapter Director | Reading time: 6 minutes
This month’s Red Hill updates include questions raised by the recent actions of the federal government; recaps of presentations on health surveys and the decommissioning process, as well as the latest CRI meeting; and an upcoming “Open House” hosted by the Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill.
In addition to the below, be sure to check out updates on Red Hill and wai protection bills in our CapitolWatch section, and a new announcement for our “Tainted Waters: Art for Truth” art and poetry contest.
Federal Changes Raise Uncertainties with Red Hill Remediation, Response
The significant cuts being made to federal contracts, funds, and agency positions - including with the EPA and Pentagon civilian staff - have raised many still unanswered questions about how they may impact the decommissioning of Red Hill and the remediation of our environment. These include:
Whether and how the EPA will support the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative (CRI) and enforce the requirements of the 2023 Administrative Consent Order, including the Navy’s and Defense Logistics Agency’s responsibility to engage with the Red Hill CRI;
Whether and how the EPA will enforce the drinking water standards for PFAS it finally adopted last year;
Whether and how the EPA and DOH will have sufficient resources to review and comment on various aspects of the decommissioning and remediation processes, including the groundwater and contaminant fate and transport models called for in the 2015 Administrative Order on Consent, plans for the long-term disposition of the facility, and groundwater monitoring well siting decisions;
Whether and how contracts involving Red Hill decommissioning and remediation will be continued and funded;
Whether and how the Department of Defense will respond to the Board of Water Supply’s $1.2B claim for needed response actions after the 2021 spills;
Whether the Navy will follow through on its commitment to provide equipment and funds for a EPA-certified water testing lab to be operated by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health.
These and many other questions should be raised by concerned community members at any forum where we are allowed to ask questions of Navy or other government officials, including at the next Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill Open House (see below). We will be sure to pass on any answers that we collect in the weeks and months ahead!
NASEM Committee Meeting #1: Clinical Follow-Up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill
On February 20, 2025, the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) hosted a public webcast to discuss the health impacts of the Red Hill fuel contamination crisis and ongoing research efforts. The event brought together experts from the Defense Health Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health, the University of Hawai‘i, and independent researchers to discuss efforts to assess and respond to the long-term health risks associated with fuel exposure.
One of the key takeaways from the webcast was the significant gap between the officially documented health cases and the total number of individuals who may have been impacted by the 2021 fuel spills. The Red Hill Clinic has recorded 251 cases of individuals experiencing symptoms related to fuel exposure, but broader surveys suggest that many more people may have been impacted than these records indicate.
Researchers acknowledged that one of the major challenges in assessing the long-term health effects of the Red Hill fuel spills is the absence of biological samples taken at the time of exposure, making it difficult to fully understand the risks and develop accurate long-term assessments. The discussion also repeatedly returned to the issue of trust, with testifiers urging that those impacted be given a stronger voice in shaping future research and policy responses.
In response to these uncertainties, the University of Hawai‘i spoke about their progress in establishing an independent Red Hill Registry, which aims to track long-term health effects, collect new data, and provide medical referrals for affected residents. Currently, more than 400 individuals have pre-enrolled to participate in the registry.
NCTF-RH Tank Cleaning Information Webinar
The Navy Closure Task Force (NCTF) held a webinar on February 24, 2025, to provide updates on the cleaning and decommissioning of the Red Hill fuel tanks. The session focused on the ongoing process of removing residual fuel sludge, degassing the tanks, and coordinating efforts with regulatory agencies overseeing the cleanup.
One of the key updates from the webinar was that the amount of residual fuel sludge found in the tanks (158 gallons) is lower than initial estimates suggested, as those estimates were based on historical data.
Regulators (HDOH and US EPA) continue to play an oversight role, conducting weekly inspections and monitoring contractor operations to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.
In terms of next steps, degassing of tanks 3 and 4 is expected to begin in early March. The Navy explained that this step involves using continuous ventilation systems to remove any remaining fuel vapors, a necessary precaution before tanks can be fully cleaned and decommissioned; air quality monitoring information and data can be found on the Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill website.
The projected timeline for the entire decommissioning process expects completion by 2028. At any given time, two tanks will be undergoing cleaning as part of this phased approach. Once removed, the fuel sludge will be transported to a certified disposal facility in Utah.
Community Leaders Raise Drinking Water Concerns with the EPA
On Wednesday, February 26, community leaders including Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Director Wayne Tanaka submitted a letter to the EPA officials, highlighting numerous questions and concerns regarding the most recent EPA investigations of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam drinking water system, and changes to the Extended Drinking Water Monitoring Plan (EDWMP). These included questions regarding the repeated findings of geckos and other life within drinking water tanks; the years-long failure to inspect and clean drinking water tanks that have accumulated visible sludge on their bottoms; the continued apparent lack of compliance for water system operations including the improper storage of chlorine used for treatment; and lead testing protocols that do not comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act lead and copper rule, and that may artificially reduce the amount of lead detected in Navy tap water; among many, many others. The letter can be reviewed here, and we will be sure to share any responses that we receive.
Community Representation Initiative
The 17th Community Representation Initiative (CRI) meeting took place on February 27, 2025. Discussions included “Navigating Uncertainty” featuring Ann Wright, longtime advocate and board member of Veterans for Peace. Representatives from the Board of Water Supply (BWS) and the University of Hawaiʻi’s Water Resources Research Center (WRCC) provided updates on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring and remediation efforts on Oʻahu.
The CRI also addressed key legislation related to Red Hill, including updates on bills focused on remediation, monitoring wells, and opposition to jet fuel in Oʻahu’s drinking water.
To watch the February 2025 CRI meeting, visit the CRI’s Youtube channel: Watch here. For more information, visit the CRI website at https://redhillcri.my.canva.site/.
Upcoming Events:
Navy Public Open House: 12 MAR 2025 / 5 PM - 7 PM @ Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial - E. Los Banos room (2685 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI, 96819)