WTF IS HAPPENING AT RED HILL?!

• ADDRESSING OAHU'S WATER CRISIS •

• KANAKA WAIWAI  • THE RICHEST MAN IS THE ONE WITH FRESH WATER •

Red Hill, also known as Kapūkaki, is located in the ‘Ewa district of O’ahu and is home to about 100,000 residents. Since the construction of Red Hill’s US Navy base in 1942, an estimated 200,000 gallons of fuel have leaked into aquifers and soil around the area. This water and land contamination has only begun to get worse, as more toxic chemicals are leaking into O’ahu’s main water supply. Now we witness thousands of people suffering from headaches, rashes, vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. According to Sonya Lunder who has a degree in public health, other possible side effects include decrease in fertility, bone problems, increased risk of cancer, and reduced risk to fight diseases and infections. The US Navy refuses to release any data on the Red Hill contaminants and no sampling has been done at this time. 

In November 2022, the Navy sprayed AFFF foam onto the soil to reduce the risk of a fire or explosion at Red Hill. These AFFF foams are PFAS chemicals that are highly toxic, persistent, and mobile in water. These chemicals are running off into the streams and soil creating an unhealthy ecosystem. According to Pat Elder, a PFAS expert, there is triple the amount of PFAS chemicals in the fish in the ‘Ewa beach area. Marine life near Ewa beach is estimated to be extremely contaminated by PFAS chemicals. 

It is unacceptable how the Navy is handling this ongoing crisis and the people and Aina of O’ahu are begging for change. Together we must see to it that this issue is resolved for the health of the people, the animals, and the island. 

CHECK OUT THESE SWEET RESOURCES:

1. Join the “Walk for Wai” this Saturday December 10th at 1pm in support of the Board of Water Supply. More information can be found here. 

2. If you’re on O’ahu and concerned about potential contaminants in your water - check out this water filter.

3. Sierra Club Hawai'i

In Hawaiian language, kanaka waiwai means wealthy, but it does not describe a man rich with money, but rich in one of our most crucial resources, water.