A group of state and city lawmakers toured the Red Hill Fuel Underground Storage Facility on O'ahu on January 6, 2022, as the United States Navy granted the request of the lawmakers to see the facility for themselves. The Red Hill Fuel Underground Storage Facility has been a concern of military families and civilian constituents due to reports of fuel leakage from the facility adversely affecting the water supply service of surrounding areas.
Senator Donna Mercado Kim (Senate District 13 – Kapalama, 'Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and 'Aiea), State Representative Aaron Ling Johanson (House District 31 – Moanalua, Red Hill, Foster Village, 'Aiea, Fort Shafter, Moanalua Gardens, Aliamanu, Lower Pearlridge) and Honolulu City Councilmember Carol Fukunaga (Council District 6 – portions of Makiki, Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Pauoa Valley, Nu'uanu, 'Alewa Heights, Papakolea, Fort Shafter, Moanalua, Halawa, 'Aiea, Kalihi Valley, and portions of Liliha and Kalihi), issued a joint statement after their visit.
"We appreciated touring the facility to see what happened firsthand. However, we still have many concerns, particularly regarding the facility’s aging infrastructure and the Navy's ability to prevent future spills. As area legislators, we strongly support the decommissioning of the fuel tanks and urge the Navy to comply with the Department of Health’s emergency order to empty the Red Hill fuel tanks. The safety and well-being of our constituents are paramount, and we’ll continue to work closely with our Congressional delegation to hold the responsible parties accountable.”
Also part of the January 6 tour group was U.S. Congressman Kaiali'i Kahele, State Senators Laura Acasio and Kurt Fevella, State Representatives Sonny Ganaden and Ryan I. Yamane, and Honolulu City Councilmember Radiant Cordero.