Red Hill: #NotPauYet
By Anna Chua + Sharde Freitas | Reading time: 4.5 minutes
The end of the legislative session is upon us. Most recently, the U.S. Department of Justice withdrew its legal appeals in both federal and state courts challenging the Department of Health’s (DOH) Emergency Order to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. But, as we prepared for this with the transition signaled by the Spring equinox, the time is upon us to ensure that Governor Ige and the Health Department hold the Navy accountable as our water is still under imminent threat. We need to band together as water connects us all. The need to conserve water is increasingly critical as we move closer into the summer months and water demand rises. The time to prepare is now. Read on to learn more about what’s happening and how you can join in the fight.
Roundup of Updates & Events
Since the Pentagon announced on March 7 that it was going to shut down Red Hill, it has admitted that no new fuel facilities are actually needed to replace the antiquated fuel depot that has poisoned the drinking water system for over 90,000 people, undermining its own years-long excuse of needing a new $10B replacement facility. The Department of Justice and the Navy have also (finally) owned up to what we’ve known for so long – that the fuel facility places our sole-source drinking water aquifer in imminent peril – by withdrawing their appeals in both federal and state courts of the Health Department’s emergency order to defuel the Facility. In their latest status report, Governor Ige and the Health Department announced that they are planning to issue an updated emergency order in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s motion to pause the state court case.
The fight continues: over 100 million gallons of fuel still remain in those massive, actively corroding jet fuel tanks, just 100 feet above Oʻahu’s principal drinking water source. We still have no concrete timeline for the removal of fuel, little information on the integrity of the facility, and no good sense of how the current contamination plume in our aquifer may impact us in the months and years ahead. We still have not seen the investigative reports over the 2021 spills, and significant questions remain regarding the 350 pipeline repairs identified as urgently needed in 2016, the presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in the Red Hill Facility, and all monitoring well and water testing data.
That is why is the past month, we are so thankful to have had plentiful opportunities to keep up the fight and organize in communities and classrooms all across Oʻahu. Mahalo to our friends who have invited us to be in community with them at various events and actions including:
Hui Ola Pono’s National Public Health Week Fair
Puʻuhonua Mākeke by Kanaka small business owners & creators
Lā Honua 2022 by Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu Water Protectors, & partners
One Health Pacificʻs Sustainability Pledge at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Hawaiʻi Interfaith Power & Lightʻs screening of Youth v. Gov at the Church of the Crossroads
Ms Trotter, Ms dos Santos & Ms Francis at Hawaiʻi Technology Academy
Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi’s Earth Day Celebration
International Workers Day March & Rally by Hawaiʻi Workers Center & partners
Faith Action for Community Equity’s sign-waving
Amplifying and Uniting Around Water
In collaboration with the Water Protectors Legal Collective, we have launched a social media campaign that amplifies our current water crisis at Red Hill, while also unifying with others in shared struggles to protect our water. Join in our efforts by signing the petition to the Commander in Chief urging him to take all necessary steps to protect Hawaiʻi’s water and demand accountability and transparency from the Pentagon, and follow WPLC on Instagram @waterprotectorslegal.
We are also working with our friends at Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (”HAPA”) to organize a panel series to continue building solidarity with communities impacted by water contamination and fighting against the military industrial complex and capitalist corporate-controlled industries. Keep a lookout on our social media and follow HAPA @hiprogressiveaction.
Our Demands & Next Steps
We are not letting up in our demands that the Navy defuel and decommission its decrepit Red Hill facility before it is too late, for full transparency, for accountability, and that alternative fuel arrangements do not threaten the water and foundation of life for other communities in Hawaiʻi or elsewhere.
As the Governor and Department of Health contemplate a new emergency order for the Red Hill Facility, we must ensure that they continue to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the safety of our residents – and not cave to the Navy’s excuses and likely foot-dragging. Please take a moment to send an e-mail to Governor Ige and Health Director Char, urging them to not let us down as we continue our fight to protect O‘ahu’s water, and the future of this island.
Our collective grassroots organizing has sustained because of every Red Hill action you’ve taken and conversation you’ve had. We need you in this fight. Here are some other actions you can take:
Talk to your friends, family, neighbors, and communities about Red Hill and bring them to upcoming events
Take simple steps to conserve water through tips here
Follow @sierraclubhi @oahuwaterprotectors @hawaiipeaceandjustice @kaohewai @sdrhmutualaid