The Navy has issued reprimands to three retired military officers for their roles in a fuel spill at Pearl Harbor’s drinking water source in 2021. Despite the reprimands, no one was fired, suspended, had their pay docked, or rank reduced as a result of the incident.
The fuel spill from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility has caused thousands of military families to suffer from illnesses and continues to pose a threat to the purity of Honolulu’s water supply.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro issued censure letters to the three rear admirals and revoked personal military decorations awarded to several other officers involved. In a statement, Del Toro emphasized the importance of accountability in restoring trust with the community and stated that the Navy will take every action to identify and resolve the issue.
An investigation conducted by the Navy found that operator error led to a pipe rupture during a fuel transfer, resulting in a spill of 21,000 gallons. Most of the fuel flowed into a fire suppression line and sat there for six months, causing the line to sag. Subsequently, a cart collided with the sagging line, releasing 20,000 gallons of fuel into a French drain and the drinking water well, impacting approximately 6,000 people who experienced symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and rashes.
The spill has raised concerns among various groups in Hawaii, including veterans, environmentalists, Native Hawaiians, liberals, and conservatives. Wayne Tanaka, the director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii, criticized the reprimands as being insufficient given the damage caused and the ongoing threat to the aquifer beneath the tanks.
After initially resisting, the military has agreed to drain the tanks and has spent the past year repairing equipment at the facility to safely remove the fuel, with the process set to begin next month and finish by January 19.
Del Toro issued letters of censure to three retired officers: Rear Admiral Peter Stamatopoulos, Rear Admiral John Korka, and Rear Admiral Timothy Kott. U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, called for systemic changes within the Navy and emphasized the need for accountability for command and control failures.
The Navy’s investigation revealed a culture of complacency, a lack of critical thinking, and a lack of timely communication, all of which contributed to the spill. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, pledged to continue pushing for these systemic changes within the Navy.
It is important for the Navy to hold its officers accountable and take comprehensive measures to prevent future incidents like this fuel spill. The health and safety of military families and the local community should always be the top priority.
Source: [Original Article]
