A COURT BATTLE COULD BE BREWING OVER THE FUTURE OF THE RED HILL UNDERGROUND FUEL FACILITY AFTER THE PENTAGON FILED APPEALS CHALLENGING THE STATE’S ORDER TO EMPTY THE TANKS.

IT COMES AS THE NAVY WORKS TO BRING ITS WATER SYSTEM BACK ON‑LINE.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

THAT’S COMING UP ON INSIGHTS.

MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER RESIDENTS IN MILITARY HOUSING STARTED SMELLING AND SEEING FUEL IN THEIR WATER, THE AFFECTS OF THE NAVY’S RED HILL FUEL LEAK ARE STILL BEING FELT.

THOUSANDS OF MILITARY AND CIVILIAN FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SEVERAL SCHOOLS, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THEIR TAP WATER AND QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE FUEL TANKS AND THE THREAT IT POSES TO OAHU’S WATER SUPPLY.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I START NOW.

>>Yunji: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

IN NOVEMBER, IT WAS REVEALED THAT 14,000 GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED FROM THE NAVY’S STORAGE TANKS INTO A WATER WELL THAT SERVES ABOUT 93,000 RESIDENTS IN AND AROUND JOINT BASE PEARL‑HARBOR HICKAM.

THE CONTAMINATION SICKENED FAMILIES AND FORCED MANY OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND INTO HOTEL ROOMS.

AS THE NAVY WORKS TO CLEAN OUT ITS WATER SYSTEM, THE MILITARY IS LEGALLY APPEALING AN EMERGENCY ORDER TO DRAIN THE FUEL TANKS, AFTER INITIALLY SAYING IT WOULD COMPLY.

MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY NEED MORE TIME TO MAKE QUOTE, “EVIDENCE‑BASED AND TRANSPARENT DECISIONS,” UNQUOTE.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS THE CURRENT RED HILL CRISIS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

DEMOCRATIC U.S. REPRESENTATIVE KAI KAHELE IS IN HIS FIRST TERM IN CONGRESS.

HE REPRESENTS HAWAII’S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES NEIGHBOR ISLANDS AND RURAL PARTS OF OAHU.

ERNIE LAU IS THE MANAGER AND CHIEF ENGINEER WITH THE HONOLULU BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY.

IN HIS ROLE, HE’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL DIRECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF BWS.

KATHLEEN HO IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

SHE OVERSEES ALL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY ISSUES AND PROTECTION FOR THE STATE.

FRANCES PAULINO AND HER FAMILY LIVE ON THE ALIAMANU MILITARY RESERVATION AND HAVE BEEN LIVING AT A HOTEL FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS.

HER HUSBAND SERVES IN THE ARMY AND SHE ALSO VOLUNTEERS WITH THE ARMED FORCES HOUSING ADVOCATES.

MARISSA BAPTISTA IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE RED HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION.

SHE HAS THREE CHILDREN IN HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND DAVID HENKIN IS A SENIOR ATTORNEY FOR EARTHJUSTICE’S HONOLULU OFFICE.

THE NON‑PROFIT FOCUSES ON PUBLIC INTEREST IN REGARDS TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.

BEFORE WE GET INTO QUESTIONS HERE’S A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RED HILL BULK FUEL STORAGE FACILITY.

IT WAS BUILT UNDERGROUND IN THE 1940S AND IS COMPRISED OF 20 TANKS THAT CAN HOLD 250 MILLION GALLONS OF FUEL.

THE NAVY HAS ARGUED THE FACILITY IS NEEDED FOR THE NATION’S SELF‑DEFENSE.

HOWEVER, THERE IS HIGH CONCERN BECAUSE THE TANKS SIT 100 FEET ABOVE AN AQUIFER THAT PROVIDES WATER TO RESIDENTS FROM MOANALUA TO HAWAII KAI.

THE NAVY DECLINED OUR INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE TONIGHT.

BUT IN A STATEMENT IT SAYS IN PART, “OUR WORK AND OUR PROGRESS ARE BASED ON SCIENCE AND DATA, AND ALL OF THIS IS DONE IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE EPA, AND OTHER PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS.

WE HAVE A LONG‑TERM SAMPLING AND MONITORING PLAN TO ENSURE WE KEEP THE WATER SAFE.” THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

START WITH YOU AND THE STATUS OF THE CLEAN‑UP.

HOW IS THAT GOING RIGHT NOW?

OVERALL, HAVE YOU FOUND THE NAVY TO BE IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY AND PARTNERS IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I LOOK AT THE CLEAN‑UP IN TWO WAYS.

FIRST, DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HOW TO GET PEOPLE BACK INTO THEIR HOMES.

SECOND PART IS RECOVERY OF THE RED HILL SHAFT.

WE NEED TO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM GETTING PEOPLE BACK IN THEIR HOMES, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING ONE SET OF, ONE ZONE CLEARED, TO BE OCCUPIED.

ANOTHER SET IS BEING RIGHT BEHIND IT.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FLUSHING THE SYSTEM.

WAITING 24 HOURS.

TAKING A SAMPLE.

WAITING 72 HOURS AND FLUSHING THE SYSTEM AGAIN.

SO IN THAT ANALYSIS, YOU CAN SEE WHETHER THERE IS ANY PETROLEUM LEFT IN THE SYSTEM.

THAT IS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE SAFE DRINKING BACK INTO THE HOME.

AS TO THE RED HILL RECOVERY, WE BELIEVE IT'S GOING WELL.

IT'S STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO.

I BELIEVE.

THEY'RE TAKING WATER OUT OF THE SHAFT, PUTTING IT INTO THE GAP, GRANULATING ACTIVATED CARBON SYSTEM.

TESTING THE WATER TWICE.

ONCE BEFORE IT GOES INTO IT THE FIRST GAP.

ONCE WHEN IT RELIEVES THAT GAP AND THEN ANOTHER TIME BEFORE IT GOES INTO THE HALAWA STREAM.

WHICH IS PERMITTED BY AN MPDS PERMIT.

>>Yunji: HAVE YOU FOUND THE NAVY TO BE IN TERMS OF PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS?

FOUND THEM TO BE TRANSPARENT?

>> I FIND THEM TO BE, WE'RE TRYING TO WORK COOPERATIVELY IN GETTING SAFE WATER TO PEOPLE'S HOMES.

WE ARE WORKING IN A GROUP OF PARTNERS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND EPA, STATE OF HAWAII, AND THE NAVY, TRYING TO WORK COOPERATIVELY AND GETTING PEOPLE BACK IN THE HOMES IN A EXPEDITIOUS MANNER.

>>Yunji: IMPACT FOR 93 RESIDENTS AND ENTIRE WATER SYSTEM.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE REST OF THE DRINKING WATER?

WE KNOW THAT SEVERAL OF THOSE WELLS HAVE BEEN SHUTDOWN.

IT SOUNDS LIKE INDEFINITELY.

WHAT IS THE STATUS THERE AND DO YOU ANTICIPATE BEING ABLE TO OPEN THOSE AGAIN?

>> WE HAVE CURRENTLY THREE WELLS THAT IS MY OUR WATER SYSTEM SEPARATE FROM THE NAVY'S WATER SYSTEM.

HALAWA SHAFT, REPRESENTS ABOUT 20% OF THE SUPPLY IN HONOLULU FOR HALAWA, MOANALUA AREA TO HAWAII KAI.

AND OUR AIEA AND HALAWA WELLS, ALSO SUPPLY A SMALLER SYSTEM IN AIEA HALAWA AREA.

ABOUT 50% OF THE SUPPLY.

RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE AQUIFER IS IN THE AREA BELOW AND AROUND THE FACILITY CONTAMINATED WITH FUEL.

SEEING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DRINKING WATER SOURCE.

HEAVILY CONTAMINATED WITH PETROLEUM.

BECAUSE WE TAP WATER OR PUMP WATER FROM THE SAME CONNECTED AQUIFER, WE CAN REALLY RISK SENDING FUEL CONTAMINATED WATER INTO THE WATER SYSTEM.

WELLS AS A PRECAUTION ARE SHUT DOWN.

WE THINK THE SHUTDOWN COULD EXTEND INTO POTENTIALLY YEARS.

>>Yunji: HOW MANY YEARS AND IF THAT SYSTEM IS OFF LINE, FOR THAT LONG, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THOSE OF US WOULD RELY ON THAT WATER DAY‑TO‑DAY?

>> WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG, WHAT WE HOPE AND WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EPA, HOPEFULLY, THE NAVY, WILL BE A VERY AGGRESSIVE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE GROUND WATERED CONTAMINATION IN THAT AREA.

DETERMINE WHERE GROUND WATER MIGHT BE FLOWING.

ESPECIALLY IF WE START PUMPING OUR WELLS AGAIN, WHAT WE DRAW THE WATER ACROSS HALAWA VALLEY INTO OUR WELLS, SEND IT THROUGH THE PIPES, OUR PIPES INTO OUR WATER SYSTEM.

TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT DRILLING REPLACEMENT WELLS TO REPLACE THE CAPACITY AS CURRENT I WILL NOT AVAILABLE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, IS RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DOING OKAY.

WE HAVE ENOUGH WELLS, CAPACITY FROM OTHER WELLS, SERVE HONOLULU.

IN HONOLULU, AND IN PEARL HARBOR AREA TO MEET DEMANDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS OF HONOLULU.

WHEN WE GET INTO THE SUMMER, GETS HOT AND DRY, WATER USE INCREASES.

THAT USUALLY HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR WATER BUT OUR CUSTOMERS AND IF OUR SUPPLY DOESN'T KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND, THEN THE EFFECT WILL BE LOW PRECIOUS, MAYBE AREAS OF WATER SYSTEM COULD RUN OUT OF WATER.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING OUR CUSTOMERS CONSERVE WATER, ESPECIALLY GET INTO THE SUMMER.

AND TO NOT WASTE IT BUT TO USE IT VERY CAREFULLY AND WE MAY BE COMING OUT WITH SPECIFIC AMOUNTS THAT WE NEED THEM TO REDUCE THEIR WATER USAGE.

THAT'S KIND OF THE SITUATION WITH THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

WHAT YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD ABOUT WHEN YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO BACK HOME AND WHAT HAS THIS TIME BEEN LIKE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK HOME.

THIS TIME IS JUST BEEN UNSUSTAINABLE UNLESS YOU'RE LIVING THROUGH AND DEALING WITH IT ON A DAILY BASIS.

HARD TO PUT INTO WORD.

PEOPLE I DEAL WITH ON THE GROUND, DEAL WITH DAILY BASIS.

STRUGGLING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER, AS MOMS, FATHERS, SERVICE MEMBERS.

JUST ONE THESE THINGS WHERE YOU TALK ABOUT RESILIENCE.

AND EPITOME OF RESILIENCE RIGHT NOW BY TRYING TO NAVIGATE DAILY BASIS WITHOUT HAVING A CONCISE IDEA WHAT IS TRULY HAPPENING TO US IN THE FUTURE.

>>Yunji: I ASK KATHLEEN AT THE TOP WHAT HER INTERACTIONS HAVE BEEN WITH THE NAVY.

WHAT IS YOUR INTERACTION BEEN LIKE AND WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION ARE THEY GIVING YOU?

>> ME, I'M A PEOPLE PERSON.

I WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT BECAUSE I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MY PEOPLE, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, MY NEIGHBORS, MY COMMUNITY, IS DEALING WITH.

I DON'T HAVE INTERACTIONS WITH THE NAVY TO BE HONEST.

I JUST HAVE INTERACTIONS WITH THE PEOPLE THAT I CARE ABOUT AND WANT TO MAKE SURE, SEE A PRODUCTIVE LIFE GOING FORWARD.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.

MOM WHO IS HAS A CHILD IN ONE OF AFFECTED SCHOOLS.

YOU'RE SPEAKING TO US ALSO IN ROLE WITH THE PTSA.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT IS BEEN LIKE FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE KIDS MAY NOT EVEN BE MILITARY FAMILIES OR LIVE ON THE BASIS, ARE STILL AFFECTED AND WHAT IT'S BEEN LIKE FOR KIDS WHO GO TO THOSE SCHOOLS?

>> TO HEAR FROM ERNIE SAYS THERE IS NO TIMELINE OF WHEN THIS WILL BE RESOLVED, IS A GUT PUNCH.

I WAS THERE ON DECEMBER 1, WHEN THEY HAD THE RMR COMMUNITY CENTER MEETING AND AMR COMMUNITY CENTER MEETING A LOT OF LACK OF INFORMATION COMING OUT.

WE ASKED, WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE PLAN?

WHAT IS YOUR TIMELINE?

SO TO WHAT FRANCIS SAYING, JUST SO MUCH COVID FATIGUE ALREADY IN PLACE.

AND TO PILE ON TO THAT, THIS WATER CONTAMINATION ISSUE, AND A LACK OF COMMUNICATION, FROM THE NAVY.

I MEAN, THERE ARE DAILY WEBEXS, BUT THEY'RE VERY QUICK.

THEY GIVE YOU HYPERLINKS AND THOSE HYPERLINKS HAVE HIGHLY TECHNICAL INFORMATION THAT'S LAY PERSON WON'T UNDERSTOOD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY JUST FEEL DEFEATED.

>>Yunji: TELL US WHAT IS LIKE FOR THE KIDS ACTUALLY IN THOSE SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS ARE OPEN.

KIDS ARE THERE.

HOW IS THIS AFFECTING THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCE RIGHT NOW?

>> SO, I MEAN, ONE OF AMAZING THINGS ABOUT RED HILL IS WE HAVE AMAZING PRINCIPAL.

DONE WONDERFUL THINGS AT THE SCHOOL.

ABLE TO KEEP MORALE OF THE STUDENTS AND THE STAFF HIGH.

BUT YOU KNOW, THEY DO HAVE CHALLENGES.

THEY'RE ALREADY BEING CARDED.

STUDENTS HAVE GO TO AND FRO FROM WAIKIKI TO HOTELS MANY BUSSED BACK OUT HERE TO MOANALUA RED HILL AREA.

THEY ALSO, DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO WATER.

DRINKING WASHING HANDS WITH POTABLE WATER THAT THE MILITARY PROVIDING IN THE WASH STATION.

BUT IT'S GOTTEN SO BAD, THAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY TAKEN HOME DEPOT BUCKETS PLACED SPIGOT IN THEM AND THAT'S WHERE THE KIDS ARE WASHING THEIR HANDS IN THE BATHROOM.

IT'S TOO MUCH TO PUSH ONE OF THOSE WATER TANKS SYSTEMS INTO THE BATHROOM.

TEACHERS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE WATER IN CLASSROOMS.

HAVING TO USE WATER GALLONS, PUT SOME SORT OF CONTRAPTION ON TOP AND PRETTY MUCH JUST SQUEEZE THE WATER OUT FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE WATER.

IMPACTS THEIR LUNCH.

IMPACTS EVERY PART OF THEIR SCHOOL LIFE.

>>Yunji: CONGRESSMAN, I WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS.

SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

I WANT TO GET TO THE $400 MILLION THAT COULD GO TOWARDS ADDRESSING THIS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IF THAT MONEY DOES GO THROUGH, WHERE WITH IT BE SPENT?

HOW WOULD IT BE ALLOCATED AND WHAT COULD IT DO TO HELP SOLVE THIS CRISIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON TONIGHT.

>> HEARTS GO OUT TO FRANCIS MARISA, THOUSAND MILITARY FAMILY AND CHILDREN.

INFURIATING TO ME.

NIGHTMARE MILITARY FAMILIES LIVING WITH FOR MONTHS.

UNACCEPTABLE TREATED THIS WAY.

IN REGARDS TO YOUR QUESTION FIRST OF ALL, KUDOS AN MAHALO TO SENATOR SCHATZ CONGRESSMAN CASE OUR APPROPRIATORS ON THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITEE AND HOUSE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE WORKED REALLY HARD OVER THE LAST WEEK, 2 WEEKS TO CONVINCE COLLEAGUES TO WORK WITH THE APPROPRIATOR IT'S FUND SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY, $400,000 IN THE FY '22 BUDGET CONGRESS SHOULD BE PASSENING A FEW WEEKS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

PART OF THAT THOSE RESOURCES GO TO COVER THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT THE MILITARY HAS SPENT UP UNTIL NOW.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN SPENT ON THIS CRISIS.

IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO WITH THAT MONEY.

$100 MILLION LIKE SENATOR SCHATZ SAID WILL GO COMPLYING WITH STATE'S EMERGENCY ORDER AND DEFUELING FACILITY.

MAKE THE NECESSARY OPERATIONAL UPGRADES AT THAT ARE IDENTIFIED BY THE THIRD‑PARTY ASSESSOR THAT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 27TH.

WHICH WILL THEN BE PRESENTED TO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ALLOWING THEM TO SIGN OFF ON IT AND COMMENCE DEFUELING OF THIS FACILITY.

NOT JUST COVERING ALL THE EXPENSE OF THE MILITARY.

ALSO BE COVERING EXPENSES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT OTHER STATE AND CITY AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY HAS SPENT AND THEY NEED TO BE MADE WHOLE.

THEY NEED TO HAVE THAT MONEY COVERED, ALSO HUNDREDS OF STORIES OF MILITARY FAMILIES HAVING TO FRONT THEIR HOTEL ROOMS, FRONT THEIR MEALS, FAMILIES IN IROQUOIS POINT, AREN'T MILITARY FAMILIES HAD SPEND THEIR MONEY AND RESOURCES AND THE WATER PROVIDED FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS IS A MAJOR CRISIS.

AND IT JUST REALLY UPSETS ME WE ARE IN IN FEBRUARY.

STARTING POINTED NOVEMBER 20, IS STILL HAPPENING.

AND STARTED IN NOVEMBER.

STILL HAPPENING.

NO END IN SIGHT.

>>Yunji: YOU MADE HEADLINES IN PAPER TALKING ABOUT CAMERA SITUATION THERE.

WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT WHEN YOU WENT DOWN THERE IN TERMS OF SURVEILLANCE.

IF WE COULD GET TO THAT QUICKLY.

I WANT TO GET THAT TO PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE READ THAT ARTICLE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I'VE NOW BACK TO RED HILL MULTIPLE TIMES.

TOOK ERNIE LAU DOWN THERE.

TO THE LOWER ACCESS TUNNEL.

NEVER BEEN IN THERE BEFORE.

EVERY TIME I GO BACK, I SEE THINGS THAT I LOOK FOR, THAT I DIDN'T SEE THE LAST TIME.

SPECIFICALLY TWO TOURS AGO, LOOKED FOR VIDEO CAMERAS THROUGH THE THE TUNNEL SYSTEM.

TWO PERFECTLY POSITIONED CAMERAS.

ONE AT THE TOP OF THE LOWER ACCESS TUNNEL OUTSIDE TANK 20.

THAT WOULD HAVE CLEARLY SHOWED YOU WHAT HAPPENED ON MAY 6.

ANOTHER CAMERA OUTSIDE THE NOVEMBER 20 INCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE SHOWN THE OPERATOR, ROVER HIT THE PIPE THAT CAUSED THE FUEL TO THEN DRAIN INTO THE LOWER ACCESS TUNNEL.

WENT DOWN TO THE OPERATIONS CONTROL ROOM.

ASKED TO SEE THE LIVE FOOTAGE.

UNABLE TO SHOW ME THAT FOOTAGE.

DO SHOW ME OTHER CAMERAS BUT NOT THOSE SPECIFIC CAMERAS.

HOW MANY CAMERAS LOWER ACCESS TUNNEL.

OVER 90 CAMERAS.

WITH CAN'T WE SEE CAMERAS.

SUBMITTED RFI.

DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER.

TOOK THE NAVY TOOK 2 WEEKS TO GET THE ANSWER.

ANSWER IS CONTRACTOR SERVED ELECTRICAL SERVED ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THOSE CAMERAS SYSTEMS IN EARLY JANUARY 2021.

SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO MAY 6 AND YEAR LATER HAD NOT BEEN FIXED.

ALMOST 45 CAMERAS WERE RENDERED COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND INOPERABLE WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED.

THAT JUST GOES TO REAFFIRM WHAT MANY OF US HAVE ALREADY BELIEVED.

UNITED STATES NAVY CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT OPERATE THIS FACILITY BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT AS A NATIONAL STRATEGIC ASSET, HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO THE NATION, YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO MANAGE IT.

NOT ABLE TO RUN IT.

WE NEED TO SHUT THIS FACILITY DOWN.

>>Yunji: THAT IS SUCH A TROUBLING REVELATION.

WHY IS THE STATE OF HAWAII ALLOWING MILITARY TO FLAGRANTLY DISREGARD ORDER TO SHUT DOWN THE TANKS?

YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THE LEGAL FIGHT.

REPRESENTING SIERRA CLUB.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE THAT STANDS RIGHT NOW.

AND WHAT THAT FIGHT EXACTLY IS.

>> THANK YOU.

WHERE THAT STANDS IS AFTER TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUED WAFFLE ORDER TO DEFLOW THE TANK, GOING TO COMPLY WITH THAT ORDER, NAVY TURNED AROUND AND FOULED NOT ONE, BUT TWO LAWSUIT.

ONE IN FEDERAL COURT.

ONE IN STATE COURT.

AND THAT'S WHERE THEY STAND REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FOLKS WATCHING TONIGHT TO UNDERSTAND, JUST BECAUSE THE NAVY FILED APPEAL, DOES NOTHING TO AFFECT THE EMERGENCY ORDER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUE.

SO REQUIREMENT TO DEFUEL THOSE TANKS AND DO SO EXPEDITIOUSLY AND SAFELY, REMAINS IN EFFECT.

WE HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE NAVY BASICALLY SLOW WALKING THAT PROCESS AND TRYING TO DRAG IT OUT.

WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS RELITIGATING SOMETHING THAT WAS ALSO RESOLVED IN EXTENSIVE EVIDENTIARY HEARING THAT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER WHERE ULTIMATELY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCLUDED THIS FACILITY POSES AN IMMINENT PERIL TO ALL OF US.

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE AN EXPERT UNDERSTAND THAT.

FACTS ON THE GROUND, SPEAK LOUDER THAN ANY ANALYSIS.

SOMEHOW, THIS INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER INVOLVED 14,000, COULD BE MORE, WE DON'T KNOW.

GALLONS OF FUEL COMING OUT OF A FIRE SUPPRESSION LINE.

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

THE WAY THAT HAD A HAPPENS IS ANCIENT FACILITY.

BUILT IN THE 1940'S.

THEY HAVE OPERATOR ERROR CAUSING SPILLS ALL THE TIME.

MODERN FACILITY WOULD NOT BE BUILT THAT WAY.

SO THE NAVY ALREADY DID OR RISK ANALYSIS BACK IN 2018 THAT CONCLUDED THAT'S LIKELIHOOD OF ACCIDENT LIKE HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER, ACCIDENT UP TO 30,000‑GALLONS, TWICE AS MUCH, HAPPENING IN ANY GIVEN YEAR IS OVER 27%.

MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR ODDS.

FIVE YEARS.

GO GOES TO 80%, FOUR IN FIVE.

GET TO TEN YEARS, 96%.

WE CAN'T ALLOW THIS SORT OF EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO BE HANGING OUR DRINKING WATER.

REASON SERVICE MEMBERS ABLE TO BE EVACUATE FROM HOMES GO TO WAIKIKI AND HOTELS.

WASN'T BIG ENOUGH TO POISON WELLS IN BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

JUST IMAGINE, IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAD HAPPENED AT SOME TERRORISTS OR FOREIGN GOVERNMENT HAD DONE WHAT THE NAVY ACCIDENTALLY DID, YOU WOULD HAVE IMAGINE THEIR RESPONSE WOULD BE, VIGOROUS AND FIERCE.

WE NEED TO THEM TO STAND UP FOR US AND DEFEND US JUST AS MUCH WHEN IT'S BECAUSE OF INADVERTENT ACCIDENTAL POISONING OF OUR WATERS.

THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE.

>> DAVID IS CORRECT.

MEANS TO DEFEND OUR PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF OUR EMERGENCY ORDER.

CORRECT IN SAYING IN FACT, EMERGENCY ORDER IS STILL IN PLACE.

WE EXPECT STATE OF HAWAII, AND PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII, EXPECT THE NAVY TO COMPLY WITH THAT ORDER.

IN ADDITION, WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 28TH, DAY LATER WHEN THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE NAVY RESIDENTS AND THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, SMELLED THE WATER, AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FACT THERE WAS OIL, FUEL SMELLS COMING OUT OF THE THEIR WATER, AND TASTE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DIDN'T HESITATE BUT TO ISSUE A HEALTH ADVISORY INFORMING EVERYBODY NOT TO DRINK THE WATER.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REALLY TRYING TO DO VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF THE EMERGENCY ORDER AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII.

>>Yunji: HOW LONG COULD THAT ENFORCEMENT TAKE?

IF YOU COULD ADDRESS THAT.

IF THE NAVY IS FILING THESE LAWSUIT AND SORT OF SLOW WALKING, WHAT DAVID WAS SAYING.

HOW LONG COULD THAT FUEL SIT THERE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, EMERGENCY ORDER REQUIRES THEM TO DO CERTAIN THINGS.

WITHIN 30 DAYS.

THEN FROM THERE, IT'S TIME, CASCADING EFFECT.

SO WE WILL BE VIGILANT IN ENFORCING OUR ORDER.

I HOPE IT WILL BE DONE IN EXPEDITIOUS FASHION.

WE WANT TO DO IN A SAFEWAY.

MAKE SURE THAT'S FUEL CAN BE REMOVED IN SAFE MANNER.

DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER CATASTROPHIC EVENT.

IN THAT RESPECT, WE WILL DO IT THAT, HIRE OUR EXPERTS.

>> MAKE SURE THAT'S DONE SAFE.

>>Yunji: ERNIE I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

TWO QUESTIONS HERE.

WHAT DOES THE CONSTANT FLUSHING DO TO THE WATER TABLE?

IS IT WASTING WATER?

COULD IT LEAD TO A SHORTAGE AND HOW MUCH WATER IS BEING DISCHARGED BY THE NAVY EVERY DAY?

SOME CONCERNS GIVEN WHAT HAS GONE ON ABOUT THIS FLUSHING PROCESS.

>> ARE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE PRESS COVERAGE AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FLUSHING 5 MILLION‑GALLONS A DAY.

AROUND THE RANGE WHAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY PUMP INTO THE WATER SYSTEM FOR DRINKING PURPOSES.

BECAUSE SOURCES CONTAMINATED, THEY HAVE TO DISCHARGE IT TO THE STREAM UNDER PERMANENTING HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

IN A YEAR, THAT'S OVER BILLION GALLONS OF WATER.

BEING RIGHT NOW, WASTED INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS AQUIFER IS ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT.

ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT LIKE TO SEE WATER WASTED LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT REALLY, IT'S ALSO WATER FUEL CONTAMINATED.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT USING THAT WATER ELSEWHERE.

MOVING THE PROBLEM AT RED HILL, ANOTHER LOCATION PERHAPS IN THE HALAWA VALLEY.

WE WOULD OPPOSE THAT TYPE OF USES.

WE NEED TO AQUIFER QUICKLY.

THEY NEED TO MONITOR CONDITION OF THE AQUIFER.

NAVY PUMPS AT HIGHER RATE, COULD IT EFFECT HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OVER PUMPING AQUIFER IN THAT AREA.

QUESTION NEEDS TO TO BE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY.

>>Yunji: MILITARY FAMILY WENT TO WASHINGTON TRY TO GAIN SOME ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND DEMAND BETTER TREATMENT AND MORE TESTING.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FOR OTHERS IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES FOR YOU TO FEEL SAFE TO MOVE BACK INTO YOUR HOMES?

>> ON A PERSONAL ASPECT, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER FEEL SAFE TO MOVE BACK HOME.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS DONE.

I JUST FEEL LIKE THE TRANSPARENCY FROM THE START, WHERE WE'RE AT NOW, PUTTING ME IN A POSITION WHICH ARE NEED TO MAKE SOME REALLY HEAVY DECISIONS FOR MY FAMILY.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE THAT DECISION TO GO BACK.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR REPRESENTATIVE KAHELE IF I'M ALLOWED TO ASK THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE SPOKE ABOUT THE FUNDING AND ALL THE MONEY GOING IN AND YOU MENTIONED WE'RE FRONTING THE MONEY FOR OUR HOTEL BILLS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO I'M NOT UNIQUE SITUATION.

I DO HAVE THIS QUESTION TO ASK ON BEHALF MYSELF AND OTHER FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ARE NEARING $20,000 IN DEBT FOR UNREIMBURSED HOUSING EXPENSES.

PRIVATIZED HOUSES ARE CONTINUE TO COLLECT RENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HAVING US IN UNHABITABLE HOMES THAT WE HAVEN'T LIVED IN FOR OVER 70 DAYS.

WHY IS THAT?

WHY AM I IN A POSITION OF BEING IN DEBT?

IF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT.

I GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE IN DEBT FOR THAT.

YOU SHOULD NOT BE OUT A SINGLE PENNY FOR THIS CRISIS AND HOW IT'S AFFECTED YOUR FAMILIES AND MANY OTHER FAMILIES.

I WILL SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ADMIRAL ABOUT THAT.

THERE HAS TO BE A MECHANISM FOR MILITARY REIMBURSEMENTS TO THEIR FAMILIES.

ONE OF THE COMPLEX SITUATIONS IS YOU HAVE UNITED STATES ARMY PACIFIC UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL FLYNN WHO RUNS ALIAMANU HOUSING AREA AND EVERYTHING THAT THE ARMY CONTROLS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM WHICH IS HOUSING CAITLIN, EVERYTHING ON HICKAM PEARL HARBOR ASSOCIATED HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAT PROCESS FUNDING REIMBURSEMENTS I'LL GET DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

HAVE ANYONE CALL MY OFFICE LINE HERE IN HILO.

808‑746‑6220.

AND I PROMISE YOU, WE'LL GET YOU AN ANSWER.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT PLANS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND FOR YOUR SCHOOL SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ABLE TO LET THE KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO THAT TAP WATER AGAIN?

>> THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY.

HONESTLY, WHEN INITIALLY HAPPENED, DISCUSSION AROUND DO YOU CLOSE THE SCHOOL.

AT WHAT POINT DO YOU SAY THIS SCHOOL HAS TO BE CLOSED AND CHILDREN NEED TO BE REROUTED TO OTHER SCHOOLS THAT DON'T HAVE THIS ISSUE.

THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING WE HAVE SO MANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOT ON STATE LINES, BUT ACTUALLY ON MILITARY LINES.

REPRESENTATIVE KAHELE POINT, IROQUOIS POINT IS PRIMARY I WANT TO SAY GOOD MIX OF MILITARY AND NOT CIVILIAN NONMILITARY.

RED HILL IS 70% MILITARY.

WE STILL HAVE 30% POPULATION THAT'S NOT.

CONCERNING TRANSIENT STATEMENT, WE'LL HAVE FAMILIES PCS IN EVERY 3 TO 4 YEARS.

WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILIES THAT ARE LOCAL HERE THAT DON'T HAVE THIS ABILITY TO JUST SORT OF PICK UP AND MOVE.

NOT TO MAKE LIGHT OF THAT.

THEY BOUGHT, INVESTED.

THEY LIVE HERE.

WE'VE GONE 2,000 YEARS, KANAKA MAOLI NOT HAVING THIS ISSUE.

CONTAMINATED WATER.

NOW WE HAVE THIS ISSUE WE HAVE TO FACE.

TO YOUR POINT, YOUR QUESTION ABOUT ACCESS TO THE WATER.

THERE HAS BEEN NO UPDATE.

WE'RE STILL ON POTABLE WATER AND WATER BOTTLES.

>>Yunji: MILLION‑DOLLAR QUESTION.

CONGRESSMAN START WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

WHERE WILL THE FUEL GO WHEN THE TANKS ARE EMPTY?

YOU HAVE SAID THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE DRAINED.

IF THAT IS THE CASE, WE KNOW THIS VERY IMPORTANT TO STRATEGIC DEFENSE AND THAT'S THE NAVY'S WHOLE ARGUMENT HERE.

SO IF NOT THERE, WHERE?

>> COUPLE OF ‑‑ WHAT FEW OPTIONS.

FIRST THING IS TANKS THAT HOLD THIS FUEL GRAVITY FLOW PEARL HARBOR AND HICKAM, GROUND FUEL TANKS.

CAN'T TAKE ENTIRE AMOUNT.

WHILE YOU REFILL THOSE TANKS EVENTUALLY WILL DEPLETE THE FUEL.

ONE OPTION IS TO TRANSFER THAT FUEL BACK TO PAR HAWAII.

AND HAVE IT STORED THERE.

ANOTHER OPTION IS BRINGING IT DOWN TO PEARL HARBOR AND LOADING IT INTO BOILERS.

TAKING TO OUT TO SEA.

THERE IS A MECHANISM TO DEFUEL THESE TANKS.

NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

IN TERMS OF WHAT INDO PAYCOM DOES, WELL OVER 50 SITES TIMEOUT THE ENTIRE INDO PAYCOM REGION CAN HOLD ABOVE GROUND FUEL.

THERE'S OILERS THAT CAN HOLD FUEL AT SEA.

THERE THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.

AT ITS CORE, PEOPLE OF HAWAII NEED TO ASK THE NAVY WHY SHOULD THE 1 MILLION RESIDENTS ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU, BEAR 250 MILLION‑GALLONS OF FUEL SITTING BARELY 100 FEET ABOVE MOST PRECIOUS AQUIFER.

NATION'S RESERVE.

SHOULDN'T AND CAN'T.

SHOULDN'T BEAR THE BRUNT ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

THE INDO PAYCOM COMMANDERS NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DISTRIBUTE THIS FUEL, DROUGHT THROUGHOUT THE INDO‑PACIFIC TO MEET THE MILITARY STRATEGIC FUEL RESERVE.

>>Yunji: GIVE PEOPLE REMINDER.

NOVEMBER IS LEAK IS NOT THE FIRST TIME.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TRACK RECORD HERE AND WHAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT PAST LEAKS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT PAST LEAKS PROBABLY SHOW VOLUMES.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS BUILT IN THE 1940'S.

ALREADY BY THE LATER 1940'S, THERE WERE DOCUMENTED LEAKS OUT OF FACILITY.

ASSESSMENT I MENTIONED EARLIER.

THAT THE NAVY DID, CONCLUDED THAT EVERY YEAR, THERE'S THOUSANDS OF GALLONS THAT ARE JUST SORT OF LEAKING OUT OF THE FACILITY.

OOZING INTO THE TANK FIELD.

100 FEET OVER OUR AQUIFER PROVIDES FRESH WATER TO MOST OF THE ISLAND.

MYSTERY FRIGHTENING MYSTERY SURROUND THIS IS FACILITY.

IT MAY OF 2001, LEAK THAT'S NAVY ORIGINALLY REPORTED AS BEING 1,600 GALLONS.

AND THEY SAID, OF THOSE 1,600‑GALLONS THAT LEAKED, THEY WERE RECOVERED ALL BUT 38‑GALLONS.

OKAY.

SO FAR, SO GOOD.

WELL, AFTER THAT LEAK, THEY STARTED, HAVE SENSORS IN THE GROUND THAT TO SENSE PETROLEUM CONTAMINATION.

SENSORS ARE GOING OFF THE CHARTS.

THEY SAID, ONLY 38‑GALLONS LEAKED.

NOW, OPERATING THEORY THAT THE NAVY HAS IS IT WASN'T 1,600‑GALLONS.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN 19,000‑GALLONS THAT LEAKED AND SOMEHOW, THROUGH THIS KIND OF LIKE CRAZY MAZE OF PIPES AND THINGS, GOT INTO A DRAIN AND DRAIN WENT FROM HERE, THEN IT WENT FROM THERE, EVENTUALLY, ENDS UP IN A FUEL SUPPRESSION LINE THAT ALLOWED SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY TO BANG INTO IT.

ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE CONTAMINATION AT THE RED HILL SHAFT.

BOTTOM LINE WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LEAKING HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

WHERE IT'S BEEN GOING.

THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DETECT IN SUCH A VISCERAL WAY WITH FAMILIES TURNING ON TAP AND KITCHEN SMELLS LIKE A GAS STATION.

THAT FINALLY SET OFF THE ALARM BELLS.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON LITERALLY FOR DECADES IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WE REPRESENT, SIERRA CLUB.

WITH THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY.

SAYING FOR YEARS, YOU NEED TO DEFUEL THESE TANKS.

IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THIS TYPE CRISIS TO SEE IS GOING.

HAPPY TO SEE MOVEMENT ON THIS.

SAMPLE FACT.

NEED TO GET FUEL OUT OF THESE TANKS.

THEN HAVE A LONG SLOW CONVERSATIONS WITH THE NAVY.

THEY CAN TAKE AS LONG AS THEY WANT TO EVALUATE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO NEXT.

WE NEED TO GET THE THREAT AWAY FROM THE WATER SUPPLY.

>>Yunji: I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME, SOUNDING THE ALARM SINCE THAT 2014 INCIDENT.

THAT TANKS SHOULD BE DRAINED, TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THIS BACK IN 2014.

LEAK OF 27,000‑GALLONS FROM TANK NUMBER 5.

FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO SOUND THE ALARM BELLS TO WHOEVER WOULD LISTEN TO US.

(BACKGROUND NOISE) UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE ADVOCATING FOR PREVENTION OF FURTHER CONTAMINATION.

FORTUNATELY NOW, WE'RE IN A CRISIS SITUATION DEALING WITH A RELEASE THAT IS IMPACTED UP TO 93,000 PEOPLE.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.

HISTORY OF LEAKS AT THIS FACILITY, 72, RECENT LEAKS.

MAYBE 76 DOCUMENTED LEAKS.

THE NUMBER IS CLOSE TO 200,000‑GALLONS OF FUEL.

THAT HAVE BEEN RELEASEDMENT OUT OF THESE TANKS AND PIPES, AND ARE SOMEPLACE TRAPPED BETWEEN 100 FEET OF LOCK, BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE TANKS TOP OF THE WATER TABLE.

REACHED WATER TABLE AND MOVED ELSEWHERE.

THAT'S THE RISK WE'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW.

BOTTOM LINE, GOT TO LISTEN TO THE EMERGENCY ORDER.

NAVY NEEDS TO DEFUEL THE FACILITY QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

NEVER BRING FUEL BACK TO THE FACILITY.

UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF RISK TO OUR DRINKING WATER RESOURCES FOR THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

SO THERE IS NO NEGOTIATION OF THIS.

CATHY HO HEALTH DEPARTMENT, I STAND YOUR POSITION.

DON'T GIVE IN.

STICK IT TO YOUR GUN.

HOLD NAVY ACCOUNTABLE.

THEY'RE GOING TO DELAY AND TRY TO GET OUT OF THIS.

AND THEY'RE TACTIC THAT THEY USED FOR PAST 8 YEARS IS DELAY, DEFLECT, AND DEFER.

SO WE CANNOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS.

POOR FAMILIES ALSO SUFFERING RIGHT NOW, THERE WILL BE MORE.

THOUSAND OF FAMILIES SUFFERING IN HONOLULU AND AIEA AND HALAWA.

SO PLEASE NAVY DO THE RIGHT THING.

DEFUEL THE FACILITY.

GET IT OUT OF THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>>Yunji: PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> SURE.

THANK YOU.

THIS NOT MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE NAVY.

IN THE 90s ON A TEAM OF LAWYERS THAT WORK ON THE RETURN OF KAHO'OLAWE.

I WAS BROUGHT IN TO SPECIFICALLY TO DO THE WORK ON THE MOA TO CLEAN UP KAHO'OLAWE.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE WORKS OF THE NAVY AND HOW SOMETIMES THEY, HOW THEY CAN SOMETIMES DRAG THEIR FEET AND THE HOW THEY ARE SOMETIMES NOT FORTHCOMING IN THEIR WORK.

BUT I SEE THIS KAHO'OLAWE AND RED HILL AS SOME PARALLELS IN THAT WE ARE ALL STEWARDS OF THE LAND AND THE WATER.

AND WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THAT.

AS WE DID IN KAHO'OLAWE.

WE GOT IT BACK.

WE WERE ABLE TO CLEAN UP PARTS OF IT.

STILL A LOT OF KAHO'OLAWE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON KAHO'OLAWE.

AND THIS WATER, WE GOT THE ‑‑ ISSUED AN ORDER AGAINST THE NAVY.

ASKING THEM TO DEFUEL.

THEY HAVE TO DO IT.

MADE COMMITMENTS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII.

THEY MADE COMMITMENTS TO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

TO DEFUEL.

THEY HAVE TO DEFUEL SO WE CAN MAKE WHOLE THE AQUIFER.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO GET TO FRANCIS.

COMMENT SAYS, WHAT ABOUT LONGTERM HEALTH CARE?

WHEN MILITARY CHILDREN ARE OF A CERTAIN AGE, RELEASED FROM MILITARY HEALTH CARE.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE CRITICALLY DAMAGED AS ADULTS?

WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THEIR MEDICAL DAMAGES?

I'M INTERESTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU ARE HAVING WITH OTHER FAMILIES ABOUT THE EXPOSURES THAT YOU MAY HAVE HAD ALREADY AND JUST IF YOU CAN GIVE FOLKS A SENSE OF YOUR DAY‑TO‑DAY.

I KNOW YOUR KIDS ARE VERY YOUNG.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IS LIKE LIVING A HOTEL WITH SUCH YOUNG CHILDREN.

>> THIS QUESTION IS HEAVY.

BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW A LONGTERM EFFECTS ARE.

I ASKED THIS QUESTION.

THERE IS NO STUDIES.

THERE IS NOTHING TO INDICATE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT LONGTERM.

WE'RE PERSONALLY DEALING WITH SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO LOOK LONGTERM WITH MY SON RIGHT NOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF FAMILIES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE NAVIGATING AND THESE ARE HARD DECISIONS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FACE BECAUSE I'M NOT TOO SURE IF WE'LL BE GIVEN PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION THAT WE NEED.

DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL.

SO AGAIN, WITH THE CONSTRUES OF EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE HAVING TO THINK ABOUT, THESE ARE THE TOP THING THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT.

HOW DO I PROTECT MY KIDS LONGTERM, AM I GOING TO BE PROTECTED.

ARE THEY GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING TO HELP US?

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>>Yunji: WHAT IS THE RECOURSE FOR THESE FAMILIES FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE?

HOW DO THEY PROCEED?

>> I MEAN, THAT IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

MY PRACTICE FOCUSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.

AND THERE ARE OTHERS IN LEGAL COMMUNITY THAT ANSWER THAT QUESTION FAR BETTER THAN I CAN.

ALL CAN I SAY IS THAT'S TYPE OF TRAGEDY THAT IS HAPPENED TO THESE FAMILY ALSO AND PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN UP ENDED.

WHEN WE WERE IN THE CONTESTED CASE OVER EMERGENCY ORDER, NAVY SAID, OH, WE'VE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

BOTTLED WATER IN THE HOTELS.

EVERYTHING IS FINE.

WE PUT ON A NUMBER OF FOLKS AS WITNESSES LIKE FRANCIS, JUST SUFFERED FROM THERE NIGHTMARE.

SEEN HER LIVE UP ENDED.

TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS SO MAKE SURE NO FAMILY EVER HAS TO EXPERIENCE THIS AGAIN.

CONGRESSMAN SAID, THAT MEANS GETTING FUEL OUT OF THE TANKS.

>> NUMBERS LOOK AT DATA, THE DATA SAYS, AT LEAST 5900 PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN IN AND SAID, THEY'RE HAVING ISSUES WITH NAUSEA, BURNING, RASHES, EVEN BACK ON DECEMBER 1.

PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT THERE WERE WOMAN PREGNANT ON THE VERGE OF GIVING BIRTH.

INGESTED THIS WATER.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN WE HAVE SIDE EFFECTS OR CHILDREN HAVE SIDE EFFECTS FROM THIS EXPOSURE?

THEY WERE GAS LIT.

WELL, MAYBE IT'S THAT.

MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING ELSE.

IT JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE PARENTS TODAY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STAY ON THE PEOPLE, HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

IF THIS IS THE WAY THAT THE NAVY IS GOING TO TREAT OUR ARMED FORCES, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ATTACK, OR SOME TERRORISTS ACTIVITY HAPPENED, WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT US?

WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT US WHEN EVERYONE IS SICK?

AND IT'S NOT JUST THE MILITARY.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE RESIDENTS OF HAWAII.

WHETHER EVENTUALLY, THIS WATER DOES SPREAD OUT.

OR WHEN WE'RE ALL IMPACTED OVER THE SUMMER.

PEOPLE ARE NOT FEELING NOW.

BUT WE'RE VERY MUCH WAIT AND SEE.

BY THE TIME WE SEE, IT WILL BE TOO LATE.

>>Yunji: QUESTION FROM KAPOLEI.

CAN HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REQUEST EXECUTIVE ORDER BY PRESIDENT BIDEN TO SHUT DOWN THE FACILITY?

WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS LIKE THAT YOU'RE HAVING IN WASHINGTON TO GET THIS DONE?

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS FOLKS HERE ON THE GROUND AND THEN THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY HIGHER‑UPS WHERE YOU SIT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TWO WAYS.

TO SHUT DOWN THIS FACILITY.

IF THE PENTAGON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NAVY WILL NOT DO IT ON THEIR OWN.

UNWILLING.

ONE WAY, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO SEND EXECUTIVE, ORDER CATHY MENTIONED KAHO'OLAWE.

THIS IS EXACTLY HOW PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W.

BUSH STOPPED THE BOMBING ON KAHO'OLAWE.

HE SENT A ONE PARAGRAPH MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO THE SEC‑DEF, STOP BOMBING, AND THAT BEGAN A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, RETURNED KAHO'OLAWE BACK TO HAWAII.

THE PRESIDENT CAN DO THAT.

DELEGATION IS IN TOUCH WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.

NOT HAPPENED YET.

SECOND WAY CONGRESS ACTS.

DO IT THROUGH STATUTE.

INTRODUCING FEDERAL LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SHUT DOWN THE RED HILL FACILITY.

REALLY ONLY TWO WAYS.

CONGRESS TAKING ACTION.

OR EXECUTIVE BRANCH TAKING ACTION.

IF THE DEPARTMENT DEFENSE IS UNWILLING TO DO IT.

>>Yunji: IS THAT A CONVERSATION THAT IS ONGOING RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU WILL FIND OUT VERY, VERY SOON.

>>Yunji: CALL THAT A TEASE.

>> LOVE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> WE WILL HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW AT 11:00 A.M. AT THE HAWAII STATE CAPITOL.

HAVE THAT VERY DISCUSSION.

MEDIA RELEASE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII TO TUNE IN TOMORROW AT 11:00 IN THE MORNING.

>>Yunji: WE'LL TUNE INTO THAT.

ERNIE I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

LONGER THAT FEW SIT THERE, MORE OF RISK THAT IS.

THERE IS THIS FEELING THAT BECAUSE THE WELLS HAVE BEEN SHUTDOWN AND CLEAN‑UP IS GOING ON, SOMEHOW THINGS MAY BE SORT OF STABLE OR SAFE.

BUT WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS AS THAT FUEL CONTINUES TO SIT THERE AND THE LEGAL WRANGLEING GOES ON?

>> PATTERN BY THE NAVY, DON'T GET ME WRONG, I SUPPORT THEIR EFFORT TO DEFUND OUR FREEDOMS.

>> BUT THIS PATTERN OF OH, YEAH, TAKEN CARE OF IT.

THIS IS ISOLATED CASE.

CLEANING IT UP.

ALL GOOD.

THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS.

SO LONGER THE FUEL SITS THERE, THE RISK LIKE DAVID POINTED OUT, FURTHER LEAKS, EVEN LARGER LEAKS IS REAL.

THAT RISK OF FURTHER CONTAMINATION OF THE AQUIFER IS REAL.

AND THE POTENTIAL LARGE LEAKS OCCUR THAT IT COULD EVEN TRAVEL FURTHER IMPACT MORE WELLS, OF THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY, OR THE NAVY, IS ALSO REAL.

AND THEN NOT FORGET FUEL FLOWS SOMEPLACE.

BECAUSE WATER IN HAWAII FLOWS FROM MAUKA TO THE OCEAN.

MAKAI.

WHERE WILL IT END UP.

EVENTUALLY IN PEARL HARBOR?

WATERS PEARL HARBOR.

CONTAMINATE PEARL HARBOR.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IS REAL.

SO THE BEST THING IS TO ELIMINATE THAT RISK BY DEFUELING.

THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE DAMAGE THEY'VE ALREADY DONE TO THE NAVY FAMILIES AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT, TO THE AQUIFER.

>> CAN I POINT OUT SOMETHING THAT I THINK ERNIE TOUCHED ON.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT.

THERE ARE 20 TANKS IN THIS FACILITY.

TWO OF THESE TANKS HAVE NOTHING IN THEM.

THEY ARE, BEEN TAKEN OFF LINE.

TANKS NUMBER 1 AND 19.

THAT'S 18 TANKS LEFT.

AT ANY GIVEN TIME, FOUR TANKS HAVE NOTHING IN THEM.

GOING THROUGH THE CLEAN/INSPECT/REPAIR PROGRAM THAT THE NAVY HAS BEEN DOING FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND PUT IN PLACE EVEN AFTER THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF CONSENT.

ONCE YOU DO A CLEAN/INSPECT/REPAIR, NEXT YEAR THEY LOOK AT A TANK, 20 YEARS LATER UNDER THE GUIDELINES.

THREE OF THOSE TANKS TANKS NUMBER 3, TANK NUMBER 4 AND TANK NUMBER 11, HAS NEVER BEEN TOUCHED.

IN 39 YEARS.

TANK NUMBER 3 AND 4, 39 YEARS.

TANK NUMBER 11, 41 YEARS.

YOU HAVE FUEL SITTING IN TANK NUMBER 11 RIGHT NOW AND THEY HAVE NOT EVEN LOOKED AT THAT TANK.

SINCE I WAS SIX YEARS OLD.

THAT IS A PROBLEM.

THAT IS WHY THESE TANKS NEED TO BE DEFUELED.

WE SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE FUEL IN TANKS 3, 4 AND 11 RIGHT NOW.

>>Yunji: GIVE THEN TRACK RECORD, WHAT HAPPENED IN 2014, HOW HAS THE NAVY BEEN ALLOWED TO OPERATE THIS FUEL FACILITY FOR AS LONG AS IT HAS?

>> THERE WASN'T PERMITTING, THERE WASN'T A PERMITTING FACILITY, NOW IT'S PERMITTED.

WE DID NOT HAVE ANY REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER IT.

UNTIL THEY WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE PERMITTING.

WE'RE PERMITTING THEM NOW.

PERMIT IS IN THE PERMIT PROCESS.

WE'RE ISSUING THE EMERGENCY ORDER TO DEFUEL.

THEY HAVE TO DEFUEL.

WE'RE ACTING AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

BE VIGILANT ABOUT MAKE THEM DEFUEL.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

>>Yunji: KAILUA HAS A QUESTION.

IS IT EASY FOR THE NAVY TO DEFLECT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM ISN'T HAWAII.

WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN NEW YORK OR LA?

PROBLEM IS IN HAWAII INTERESTED TO KNOW BECAUSE IT IS IN HAWAII, MAYBE IT'S OFF THE RADAR FOR A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING ON CONTINENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

UNFORTUNATELY MILITARY DOES MANY THINGS IN HAWAII, COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, UNHEARD OF ON THE MAINLAND.

SPENT YEARS AGAINST THE ARMY DOING LIVE FIRE MILITARY OPERATION ACROSS THE BEACH WHERE FAMILIES PLAY AND PEOPLE ARE FISHING.

>> YOU WOULD NEVER, NEVER SEE THAT IN CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.

I THINK ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

I THINK THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE'VE ALL SPOKEN TO, OR MANY OF US HAVE SPOKEN TO, APPRECIATE THE MILITARY.

APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO.

AND I THINK CORE REASONS TO THAT WE GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

THEIR DUTY SWORN PROTECT US.

YOU WANT TO LOOK TO THEM.

TRUST THEM.

AND HERE IN HAWAII EXPERIENCE PERSONALLY, THAT TRUST HAS BEEN SHATTERED CAN'T TRUST THE NAVY ANY MORE TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR BEST INTERESTS.

FOOL ME ONCE.

SHAME ON YOU.

WE HAVE THAT FUEL SPILL ERNIE MENTIONED, BACK IN 201,427,000‑GALLONS.

THEY SAY, FIX IT.

IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

2014, 27,000‑GALLONS.

2021, WATER SUPPLY POISONED.

ENOUGH ALREADY.

WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE FOLKS ON THE MAINLAND TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT US.

WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT OURSELVES.

I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ADD TO WHAT CONGRESSMAN HAD TO SAY.

PRESIDENTIAL ORDER.

YES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD STEP IN COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

CONGRESS ACTING.

ABSOLUTELY.

NEED OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS STAND UP FOR US.

NUMBER 3, RULE OF LAW.

THIS AMERICA.

MILITARY IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

THE LAW HERE FEDERAL LAW HERE SAYS, THE NAVY HAS TO COMPLY WITH THE STATE REGULATIONS.

HAS TO COMPLY WITH THE EMERGENCY ORDER.

THAT'S WHY EARTH JUSTICE IS FIGHING IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

>>Yunji: FRANCIS, I SEE YOU NODDING.

PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE 2014 LEAK THAT HAPPENED AGAIN.

CONGRESS HAS TURNED OVERSIGHT OF RED HILL TO THE NAVY.

2014, CONGRESS ASKED THE NAVY TO REMEDY THE LEAK.

THAT WAS OCCURRING.

NEVER FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THAT.

INCLUDING FACT THAT MOST RECENTLY, FAILED TO SHUT DOWN THE RED HILL WHEN THEY'VE BEEN DIRECTED.

NOW BEING GIVEN MILLIONS TO PRODUCE PROPER SOLUTIONS, AFTER FAILING TO COMPLY, WHAT GUARANTEES THAT THIS SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY ARE GIVING THE NAVY WILL FORCE THEIR HAND TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON A REQUEST AND WHERE IS THE OVERSIGHT GOING TO BE THAT HOLDS THEM ACCOUNTABLE?

IF CONGRESSMAN CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION, I WOULD LOVE THAT, PLEASE.

>> THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

WE ARE AND HAVE CONVEYED TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PENTAGON LEADERSHIP OF HOLDING PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE.

FOR WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

I THINK ONE OF MOST EGREGIOUS THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED OF THE MANY EGREGIOUS THINGS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IS WHEN ON SUNDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 28TH, WHEN THE NAVY DECIDED OR SOMEONE DECIDED TO REMOVE THE RED HILL WATER SYSTEM FROM THE NAVY'S WATER SYSTEM.

BECAUSE OF THE COUNTLESS AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS, FUEL SMELLS AND HOMES BABIES ARE RASH, CHEMICAL BURNS GOING TO THE HOSPITAL, TRIPLER MEDICAL CENTER, TURNED OFF THE RED HILL WELL.

SUNDAY NIGHT NOVEMBER 28TH.

BUT THEY DIDN'T TELL ANYONE.

EVEN AS OF 2:00 P.M.

IN THE AFTERNOON OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH, HOURS BEFORE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUT OUT ADVISORY TO STOP DRINKING THE WATER, NAVY STILL SENT COMMANDER OF JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR, WATER WAS SAFE.

PEOPLE THEY WORK WITH WERE DRINKING IT, NO.CLOSING DOWN SCHOOLS.

THEY KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE RED HILL WELL.

FACED WITH A DECISION TO PUT OUT AN ADVISORY AND TELL PEOPLE TO STOP CONSUMING THE WATER.

DIDN'T DO THAT.

SO PEOPLE CONSUMED WATER THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.

ALL DAY ON MONDAY.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE RELIEVED OF COMMAND RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOU TELLING KIDS ABOUT HOW LONG THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE?

>> YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO PARENTS OF AMR.

I THINK WHAT FRANCIS SAID, THEY ARE RESILIENT.

THEY'RE FINDING WORK‑AROUNDS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP THEIR LIFESTYLES AS NORMAL AS POSSIBLE.

KEEPING ROUTINE FOR THE KIDS.

MAY HAVE THE HOTELS, BUT PLENTY OF FAMILIES CHOOSING TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THAT IS THE ROUTINE THAT THEIR KIDS SORT OF FLOURISH UNDER.

NOT SORT OF BACK AND FORTH.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL YOU CAN SAY.

BUT TO REPRESENTATIVE KAHELE THOUGHTS ON THE COMMUNICATION, I LEARNED ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION NOT FROM THE STATE, BUT FROM A PRINCIPAL, PRINCIPAL AT NIMITZ ELEMENTARY SENT OUT EMAIL AND 8:00 ON THE 29TH.

TO THE COMMUNITY SAID, HEY, GUESS WHAT?

WE AS A SCHOOL HAVE DECIDED THAT WE ARE GOING TO STOP PROVIDING WATER TO THE KIDS.

WE'RE TAPING UP ALL OF THE WATER STATIONS.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WATER BOTTLES BROUGHT INTO THE SCHOOL.

THAT WAS AT 8:00 ON THAT MONDAY.

THEN COMMUNICATION CAME OUT FROM ALL OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS, SOME OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS.

FIVE THAT WERE AFFECTED.

THIS WHOLE MISCOMMUNICATION AND LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND EVEN NOW, PARENTS DON'T KNOW WOULD TO BELIEVE.

ARE WE LISTENING TO WHAT WE HEAR ON FACEBOOK, ON THE NEWS?

FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS?

EVERYONE IS SPEAKING A DIFFERENT SONG.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO EXACTLY TO BELIEVE.

AND WHAT TO FOLLOW.

SO KIND OF JUST STAY WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY AND FIGURE OUT WHO WORKS FOR THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU.

AND YOU FOLLOW SUIT.

>>Yunji: ERNIE, I SAW YOU NODDING THERE.

>> GOING BACK TO FRANCIS QUESTION.

WHICH I THINK IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

HOW DO WE HOLD THE NAVY ACCOUNTABLE OVER TIME?

SITUATION WITH THE RED HILL FUEL FACILITY WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO RESOLVE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO STAY ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE AND KEPT PRESSURE ON.

WHAT IS VITAL, APPRECIATE CONGRESSMAN AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT WE REALLY NEED THEM TO DO MORE AND TO CONTINUE TO EXERT PRESSURE THROUGH CONGRESS, THROUGH MONEY, THROUGH THE BUDGET, BUT ALSO, PASSING LAVES AND REQUIRE THEM TO SHUT IT DOWN.

NAVY DOESN'T LISTEN TO US.

IN FACT, I HEARD ADMIRAL REFER TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE AS THE LOCALS.

I REALLY WAS OFFENDED BY THAT.

THAT'S NOT BEING RESPECTFUL.

THAT IS NOT TREATING PEOPLE WITH ALOHA.

SO WE NEED OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STAY ON THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS A FEDERAL FACILITY.

>> WE NEED CONGRESS TO STAY ON THIS ISSUE AND TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE AND THE RESOURCES OF HAWAII.

>>Yunji: WE HAVE LESS THAN ONE MINUTE.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD TONIGHT.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE NAVY AND THE PUBLIC TO KNOW?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT MY OHANA IN OAHU TO KNOW HOW BLESSED THAT WE ARE TO BE HERE.

WE DON'T CHOOSE TO COME HERE.

BUT WE HAVE COME HERE AND MY HUSBAND IS A PACIFIC ISLANDER.

SO I KNOW HOW MUCH THIS RESONATES TO THE ISLAND THEMSELVES.

AND I KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS AFFECTING OUR MILITARY COMMUNITY TOO.

BASICALLY, WE AND I JUST WANT THIS TO BE OVER.

WE WANT THIS TO BE DONE RIGHT.

WE WANT TRANSPARENCY THROUGH IT ALL.

AND WE JUST WANT TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE LIKE THIS BECAUSE ONE, MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIG DEAL.

PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE BEYOND THE BREAKING POINT AND I'M JUST PRAYING FOR EVERYONE.

GOD HAS SAVED ME.

AND KEPT ME IN A POSITION THAT I AM SO REACH OUT TO THE LORD.

THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION.

AND I'M SO PROUD OF EVERYBODY FOR BEING SO RESILIENT AND I PRAY FOR YOU ALL ON A DAILY BASIS.

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS.

>>Yunji: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE KAI KAHELE, BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY MANAGER ERNIE LAU, KATHLEEN HO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MILITARY FAMILY MEMBER FRANCES PAULINO, RED HILL ELEMENTARY PTSA PRESIDENT MARISSA BAPTISTA, AND DAVID HENKIN, SENIOR ATTORNEY AT EARTHJUSTICE.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LINGERING HEALTH EFFECTS AFTER SOMEONE CATCHES COVID‑19.

WE’LL HEAR FROM MEDICAL EXPERTS AND A VIRUS SURVIVOR ABOUT WHAT’S COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS LONG‑HAUL COVID.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I, ALOHA!