Hawaii U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, along with New York U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, sent a letter Tuesday to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding to know how the Department of Defense is supporting families affected by the Red Hill fuel leaks that contaminated the U.S. Navy’s water system.  

On Oahu, more than 93,000 residents were affected by the Red Hill fuel leaks starting in Nov. 2021. Since then, the U.S. Navy put together a Joint Task Force that is now working to close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. 

Hirono, who is a member of the Senate Armed Committee, and Gillibrand, who is the Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee, ask in the letter for those impacted by the leaks, who may have future medical conditions because of fuel exposure, to receive information, health care and support. 

“While the Navy and the Department of Defense (DoD) have taken important steps toward addressing the fuel release by remediating the water supplies, deciding to shut down and budget for the facility’s closure, and standing up a Joint Task Force (JTF) to steward the facility’s defueling, the community remains confused and frustrated,” write the lawmakers. “Many servicemembers, families, and community members have valid concerns and questions about how they will be compensated for the various impacts of the fuel release, how they can access adequate medical support, and how the military will address long-term impacts from the fuel exposure, among many other issues. To date, these questions have no clear answers.”

The letter also asks about the validity of water samples used to allow residents to return to homes that use the Navy’s water system, the chemical breakdown of contaminants that were ingested through the water, and whether people can relocate without penalty. It questions whether DOD will provide personnel who assisted with the flushing process hazardous duty pay and more.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii.