Earthjustice and Sierra Club of Hawai‘i Statement on Hawai‘i Department of Health Final Decision on Red Hill Emergency Order

MEDIA ADVISORY 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Monday, January 3, 2022 

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - Earthjustice and the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i express great relief that the  Hawai‘i Department of Health has sided with the interests of the public and the safety of  O‘ahu’s drinking water supply, in its affirmation of its hearing officer’s proposed decision and  order that now requires the defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. 

“The Navy technically can appeal the Department of Health’s decision, but now is not the time  for delay tactics,” said David Henkin, the Earthjustice attorney who represented the Sierra Club  of Hawai‘i in the underlying contested case hearing. “The threat to O‘ahu’s irreplaceable  drinking water supply is far too dire for lawyers’ games. It is time for the Navy finally to do the  right thing and promptly comply with the Department of Health’s order to defuel the Red Hill  tanks.” 

“This is huge,” said Wayne Tanaka, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i Chapter Director. “We commend the  Department of Health for taking this critical stand, and urge it to continue holding the Navy’s  feet to the fire, until it defuels its decrepit facility and defends us from itself.”  

The Navy has 30 days to appeal the Department of Health decision to the circuit court, although even if the Navy appeals, the Department of Health’s emergency order remains in effect.

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