PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — The Hawaii Department of Health said on Tuesday that it conditionally approved the Joint Task Force Red Hill’s plan to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility’s main tanks, according to a news release. The defueling process is set to begin on Oct. 16. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Hawaii Department of Health said on Tuesday that it conditionally approved the Joint Task Force Red Hill’s plan to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility’s main tanks

  • The process of removing 104 million gallons of fuel via gravity will begin on Oct. 16, 2023, and will be completed by Jan. 19, 2024

  • After the gravity-based defueling is completed, up to 400,000 gallons of fuel will remain in the tanks

  • In order to complete the defueling process, DOH still needs to approve JTF-RH’s plan for unpacking the pipelines and removing the residual fuel

The DOH said its approval is contingent on JTF-RH adhering to the plan and other requirements listed in its approval letter. JTF-RH plans to remove about 104 millions of fuel from the tanks via gravity. Staff with DOH will be on-site during the defueling to oversee it. 

“Today’s conditional approval marks an important milestone in the process that will ultimately result in permanent closure of the Red Hill Facility and remediation of our aquifer,” said Deputy Director of Environmental Health Kathleen Ho. “Many people have worked for many months to reach this milestone, and we appreciate and fully expect that the Joint Task Force will continue to uphold its commitments to the people of Hawaii and our environment.”

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green praised the DOH for its work. He also said his administration will be transparent and accountable during the defueling process.

“All of us in leadership positions — whether government, community organizations and, of course, the military — have to work together to ensure the water and the land at Red Hill and the aquifer under it, will be remediated properly and expeditiously. Clean water for future generations must be our shared goal,” the Governor said.

The JTF-RH was required to complete 297 repairs, with oversight and approval from DOH. The health department also observed spill drill exercises, the defueling of four surge tanks in July, and repacking two of the three pipelines from August to September. 

In order to complete the defueling process, DOH still needs to approve JTF-RH’s plan for unpacking the pipelines and removing up to 400,000 gallons of residual fuel.  

In May and Nov. 2021, the U.S. Navy spilled fuel at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. As a result of the spills, about 93,000 people who lived around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and used the Navy’s water system were impacted by the contaminated drinking water. After this happened, the Hawaii Department of Health issued an emergency order requiring the Red Hill facility to be closed. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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