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NOTE: The following are approved answers to questions presented at Senator 

Kim’s Town Hall (Dec. 12, 2022) that specifically reference Joint Task Force-Red 

Hill’s “Defueling” efforts only. Answers regarding closure, Water/ Environmental 

Monitoring and Remediation, and Medical/ Healthcare can be found at 

Commander Navy Region Hawaii’s website https://cnrh.cnic.navy.mil/Operationsand-Management/Red-Hill/Red-Hill-Public-Engagement-Updates/

Questions were submitted to the moderators and consolidated when asked more 

than once; text was edited for ease of use. 

Defueling: Joint Task Force - Red Hill (JTF-RH) 

I understand your chain of command but who will be ultimately responsible? There 

have been so many changes since all these problems and accidents have occurred. It 

seems like they are passing the buck again. Please clarify who we can trust to make 

sure all measures will be completed. 

JTF-RH is responsible for the safe and expeditious defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel 

Storage Facility (RHBFSF). The Navy (Commander, Navy Region Hawaii) is 

responsible for the facility closure. The Navy (Commander, Navy Facilities Engineering 

Command – Hawaii) is responsible for environmental remediation and aquifer 

restoration. Commander, Defense Health Agency Indo-Pacific is responsible for 

medical care for eligible military, government civilians and dependents. All involved 

commands understand the enormity and importance of their missions, and are 

committed to excellence every step of the way. 

Why is Red Hill still open? Why did it take you guys so long to close the tanks, and why 

did you guys not shut it down when you guys know it is affecting families and people? 

The Secretary of Defense ordered the defueling and permanent closure of the RHBFSF 

on March 7, 2022. Since that time, the Department of Defense (DoD) established a 

Joint Task Force to safely and expeditiously defuel the facility following mandated 

repairs, enhancements and modifications per Hawaii Department of Health Superseding 

Emergency Order dated May 6, 2022. The Navy (Commander, Navy Region Hawaii) 

will close the RHBFSF once it is defueled. Link to the SECDEF’s statement: Statement 

by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel 

Storage Facility > U.S. Department of Defense > Release 
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Are there any penalties if the Navy delays defueling? How will you be held 

accountable? Are there penalties? 

First, it’s important to note that JTF-RH is responsible for defueling the RHBFSF, not the 

Navy. Second, these questions should be directed to the Hawaii Department of Health 

(DOH) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state and federal 

regulators who will provide oversight for the defueling process. With this said, the DOH 

issued its Superseding Emergency Order on May 6, 2022 to enforce the defueling and 

closure of the RHBFSF in a manner protective of public health and the environment. 

Consistent with these orders, the DoD has directed the defueling and closure of the 

RHBFSF. The EPA is also finalizing a draft Consent Order that will regulate the 

defueling and closure of the RHBFSF. The EPA is currently accepting public written 

comments regarding its Consent Order through February 6, 2023. The Consent Order 

as currently drafted includes penalties for delays and non-compliance. 

Why won’t Admiral John Wade use the word “emergency” when referring to the 

continuing leaks of toxins in our water? 

DOH in issuing its Emergency Order, determined that the fuel within the facility is a 

threat to the people of Hawaii, our community and the environment. The DoD 

acknowledges the state of Hawaii Emergency Order, and is complying with it. As 

Secretary of Defense Austin has said, defueling and closing the facility is the right thing 

to do for the people of Hawaii, military families, the environment and national 

security. JTF-RH remains committed to safely and expeditiously defueling the 

RHBFSF, and setting conditions for closure. 

Why was it said that they can defuel the tanks in five days previously but now it's more 

than two years? 

The defueling plan submitted to DOH and EPA proposes defueling Red Hill tanks in 120 

days. However, there are 253 repairs, enhancements and modifications to the RHBFSF 

that must be completed to reduce risk before defueling operations can commence per 

the DOH Superseding Emergency Order dated May 6, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, 

31 repairs have been completed and 222 repairs, enhancements and modifications are 

in progress. These maintenance actions are expected to be completed in December 

’23. Defueling is expected to commence in February ’24 and complete by June ’24. 

This said, our intentions are to work in partnership with the DOH and EPA to find ways 

to shorten the timeline as appropriate, and commence defueling operations as soon as 

possible, prioritizing safety to the community and environment. 
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Why did the Navy agree on January11, 2022 that they would comply with DOH and 

drain the tanks in 30 days and now say it will take years? Which is the lie? 

The DOH Superseding Emergency Order dated May 6, 2022 mandates repairs, 

enhancements and modifications to be completed before defueling operations can 

commence. 

Would you move faster if this was your only source of drinking water? 

JTF-RH is working as safely and expeditiously as possible to begin defueling 

operations. The JTF will continue to work with DOH and EPA to identify opportunities to 

potentially identify ways to improve schedules, while still adhering to state and federal 

laws to ensure the safety of the community and environment. 

Why can’t the fuel be drained from the tanks using trucks instead of the planned facility 

repairs and pipeline defueling? The longer you wait to drain, the more risk to our water 

and soil. 

Using trucks to defuel the facility introduces significant risk for release and potential 

other environmental impacts. The Department of Defense (DOD) believes those risks 

to be unacceptable. Given the amount of fuel at Red Hill, it would take thousands of 

trucks to move the fuel to other locations. Moreover, it would require thousands of new 

connections, and disconnections, of flexible hoses to pump fuel from tanks and transfer 

it above ground to truck tanks. These connectors do not currently exist and would have 

to be fabricated, installed and tested. Furthermore, trucks coming in and out of the 

facility must navigate sharp turns on a steep, narrow road – thousands of times. These 

significant safety and environmental concerns make this option untenable. We continue 

to review and refine the current defueling plan to ensure we can accomplish it as safely 

as possible. 

Where will the fuel be relocated? 

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), in support of JTF RH, will execute bulk fuel 

transportation. The final decision and locations where the fuel will be relocated is 

forthcoming, and will be informed by operational requirements. DLA will continue to 

communicate to the public. 
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EPA and DOH are the two main regulators and you said that the Board of Water Supply 

is not. Did you know that they stand up for and with us? Did you know that these two 

regulators slinked out of the BWS meeting on December 12, 2022? They heard zero 

testimonies. We cannot trust them nor you. Who are you all protecting? No one. 

JTF-RH is committed to safely and expeditiously defueling the RHBFSF. By law we are 

required to work with the DOH and EPA, the state and federal regulators, respectively. 

We are also coordinating with the Board of Water Supply, and are dedicated to open 

and transparent communications. 

Why can’t a representative from another agency like Board of Water Supply, EPA, or 

DOH be present every day of the operation and oversee all requests by state? Will you 

respect and fully accept all requests and inputs by them? 

By law, JTF-RH defueling operations are approved and overseen by DOH and EPA. 

We are also committed to maintaining open and transparent communications with the 

Board of Water Supply. Additionally, Mr. Ernie Lau, Chief Engineer from the Board of 

Water Supply, is a member of JTF-RH’s Defueling Information Sharing Forum which 

brings local community members, elected representatives and other stakeholders 

together with JTF leadership to discuss the defueling mission and to provide critical 

community feedback. Specifically, the forum provides members an opportunity to share 

insights, knowledge, and professional expertise through meaningful feedback, dialogue 

and discussions. Mr. Lau is an active and valued participant in this important process. 

Why have you refused to allow a civilian to join Joint Task Force-Red Hill? As Red Hill is 

no longer in operation, there is no good reason to deny this request. The fact that Board 

of Water Supply was not alerted to the Nov. 29 AFFF spill for six hours is exactly why 

we demand civilian representation immediately. 

Civilian control and oversight of the military is mandated by the Constitution. The 

Secretary of Defense, a civilian appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress, 

directed the establishment of JTF-RH. In executing its mission, the JTF-RH reports to 

the Secretary of Defense through US Indo-Pacific Command. By law, the JTF must 

adhere to state and federal laws and oversight provided by the DOH and EPA – civilian 

led organizations. The JTF has and will continue to keep federal, state and local 

elected officials informed. Lastly, the JTF is also committed to listen to and 

communicate with the community though a variety of means to include our Defueling 

Information Sharing Forum, Town Halls, other speaking events, and the media. 
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What communication has JTF-RH had with newly elected leaders in Hawaii at the 

federal and state levels? 

When the JTF was established, Vice Admiral Wade immediately reached out to federal, 

state and local elected officials to establish relationships and start an open line of 

communication for regular updates. Brigadier General Okamura (JTF-RH Director for 

Strategic Engagement) has lead for legislative engagements. Following the election, 

both Vice Admiral Wade and Brigadier General Okamura introduced themselves to the 

newly elected officials. Keeping elected officials informed is critical to the JTF mission. 

This will continue. 

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam panel, I am of both worlds--native Hawaiian born and 

raised on Oahu. I was also a seventeen-year Navy wife now retired. Listen to our Sierra 

Club and Oahu Water Protectors and invite them to your seat. 

Brigadier General Okamura (JTF-RH Director of Strategic Engagement) and Captain 

Steve Stasick (JTF-RH Repair & Maintenance Division Director) have both met with Mr. 

Wayne Tanaka of the Sierra Club. Furthermore, JTF-RH staff have had cursory 

conversations with members of Oahu Water Protectors, with plans underway for JTFRH leadership to engage further. Maintaining two-way open and transparent dialogue 

with the local community is of critical importance to the JTF-RH mission and the ultimate 

defueling of the RHBFSF. 

Who are the native Hawaiians working with JTF-RH on the Defueling Information 

Sharing Forum? 

Defueling Information Sharing Forum members representing Native Hawaiians interests 

are, Dr. Kaeo Duarte, Chair of Hawaii Fresh Water Council, Dr. Sylvia Hussey, Chief 

Executive Officer of Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Mr. Kuhio Lewis, Chief Executive 

Officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. The complete list of the 

Defueling Information Sharing Forum members is posted on the JTF-RH website. 

Further, JTF-RH’s Director Strategic Engagement, Brigadier General Lance Okamura, 

is of native Hawaiian descent and was raised in Hawaii. 

With the amount of safety measures that are already put in place for the military to 

operate, how was it possible for the November 29, 2022 AFFF mishap occur? 

The AFFF mishap on November 29, 2022 was a very serious setback, and it highlighted 

valid safety and environmental concerns at RHBFSF. There is an ongoing investigation 

to determine the cause of the discharge and lessons learned will be applied to reduce 
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risk. When complete, the results of the investigation and adjustments made to reduce 

risk will be made public.

Given the November 29, 2022 AFFF mishap, how do you plan for future operations so 

that the operations are safer and would cause less damage? 

JTF-RH has taken proactive measures to establish centralized control and oversight of 

the RHBFSF to improve maintenance oversight practices, and to improve response time 

and response effectiveness. Additionally, in preparation for defueling, we have 

enhanced spill response training at a greater frequency and revised and updated spill 

response plans with a continuous focus on safety. Lastly, we have also increased 

manpower at the facility, to include additional safety personnel to ensure that we are 

prepared for safe defueling. 

Will you come to Waianae?? 

JTF-RH leadership is engaging with community members from all parts of the island of 

Oahu, and we look forward to diverse participation and representation from across the 

island and local community.