Timeline of Events: The Navy lied about an active Red Hill leak for several months

Reporters investigating the 2020 leaks revealed that emails between Navy officials that confirmed they knew about an active pipeline leak back in January, and did not immediately notify the Health Department or the public. Instead of being transparent about the “significant active leak,” they did the exact opposite, misleading the Health Department and skirting legal requirements. Their reasoning is all the more infuriating: Navy officials were worried about “significant political concerns” during a “sensitive time” when the Navy’s operation of Red Hill was subject of a major permit review.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened:

2020

In March, an oil sheen is spotted at the Pearl Harbor Hotel Pier. In June, the same leak, which had stopped, starts again. The Navy reported both leaks to the Department of Health. 

January 2021

On January 20, a defuel pipeline that leads to the Hotel Pier area fails a leak detection test. On January 21, days before the contested case hearing began, a Navy commander voices concerns via email about “political implications” of an active leak. On January 23, the defuel pipeline fails a second leak detection test.

February 2021

On February 2, a Navy contractor says he believes that the leak is active. On February 3, commander Darrel Frame denies knowledge of fuel from the Red Hill facility contaminating the environment, with the exception of the 2014 spill of 27,000 gallons. On February 4, a Navy commander emails colleagues to say “a relatively significant amount” of fuel is being released into Pearl Harbor’s water every day.

May 2021

On May 18, the Department of Health finally learns of the 2 failed pipeline tests that took place in January. 

June 2021

On June 30, the Department of Health sends a letter to the Navy stating that the failed tests in January and the oil sheen are “confirmation that a release from the Red Hill facility has occurred.” 

October 2021

Reporters, while investigating the 2020 leaks, got a hold of the emails between Navy officials that they knew about the active leak since January this year.