A recent report by the U.S. Department of Defense's inspector general highlighted significant failures on the part of Navy officials in managing the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility at Pearl Harbor. The investigation revealed that despite having engineering drawings and environmental studies outlining the risks, officials lacked a sufficient understanding of the dangers posed by maintaining massive fuel storage tanks atop a drinking water well.
The Red Hill fuel tanks, built in the 1940s to safeguard them from aerial attacks, consist of 20 tanks, each towering as high as a 25-story building and capable of holding 12.5 million gallons of fuel. Situated above an aquifer supplying drinking water to the Navy and Honolulu's municipal water system, the site has a history of fuel leaks, with a major spill occurring in May 2021.
The 2021 spill, which affected over 6,000 individuals, went unnoticed for six months before contaminating the drinking water supply for 90,000 people at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The aftermath saw thousands of families displaced, costing the military over $220 million in response efforts.
The inspector general's report also highlighted several key findings, including the Navy's failure to report the missing fuel to the state Department of Health, missed opportunities to activate emergency response plans, and issuing statements declaring the water safe without conducting necessary laboratory analyses.
Hawaii's congressional delegation condemned the Navy's mismanagement, emphasizing the need for accountability and immediate action to address the inspector general's recommendations. The Navy, in response, expressed its commitment to enhancing operational standards and safety protocols at its facilities.
Despite issuing reprimands to three retired military officers involved in the fuel spill, the Navy continues to face scrutiny over its handling of the Red Hill facility. Governor Josh Green echoed calls for transparency and accountability, emphasizing the importance of ensuring clean drinking water for all residents of Hawaii.
