The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) conditionally approved the Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) plan to de-fuel the main tanks of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility beginning October 16, 2023.

DOH’s approval is contingent on JTF-RH adherence to the plan to remove fuel from the Red Hill underground storage tanks and other requirements set forth by DOH in its conditional approval letter. DOH staff will be on-site to oversee de-fueling.

In a statement Governor Green said, “We commend the leadership of the Department of Health in this ongoing crisis, and we want the public to know that my administration will continue to insist on transparency and accountability as the defueling of the bulk storage facility progresses. 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,”

Leading up to this decision, DOH oversaw completion by JTF-RH, of 297 repairs and enhancements needed for repacking and de-fueling. DOH also observed various spill drill exercises and the successful de-fueling of the four surge tanks in July and repacking of the F-24 and JP-5 pipelines from August to September.

AP Photo