Chair plans to attend HSTA’s forum on Red Hill water contamination to learn more
Posted: January 21, 2022
The Hawaii Board of Education (BOE) stated Thursday that it will consider taking a position to call for the U.S. Navy to immediately empty fuel and fully close its Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility after drinking water at multiple Hawaii public schools was contaminated.
During the BOE’s general business meeting, interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi said that the water contamination has caused an additional burden on affected schools already impacted by COVID-19, detailing that teachers have to help students with makeshift washing stations to ensure proper hygiene, and school staff have had to deliver bottled water to classrooms, adding unexpected tasks for school staff.
Hayashi said the situation has also created additional stress for families, and the displacement of families due to the contamination of water in their homes, has impacted school attendance, which is already suffering because of the pandemic.
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is partnering with multiple agencies, including the state Department of Health, on flushing protocols, water testing, and water delivery to classrooms.
The board did not confirm whether or not an action item, such as issuing a public statement, will be placed on the February agenda, though several members indicated action is necessary and imminent.
Board member Lyla Berg thanked the HIDOE for its mitigation strategies, and also acknowledged HSTA’s request to have the BOE take a public stance on the issue.
“HSTA has requested that we consider making a statement that would actually support not only our schools but would support the governor… our congressional delegation, and anyone who is calling for the decommissioning of these fuel tanks,” Berg said. “I would like to encourage us to be supportive of the efforts by making a very deliberate statement.”
Recently, HSTA’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal calling for the Navy to close its Red Hill fuel tanks. HSTA will be holding an open forum for members and community education stakeholders on Monday, Jan. 24, at 4 p.m. to address the fuel contamination, Oahu’s aquifers, and the future of the Navy’s tanks and storage facility.
BOE Chair Catherine Payne confirmed she will attend HSTA’s forum during Thursday’s discussion on the topic.
“I’ll learn more myself from that and hope that it will help us make some determinations of what we can do to support what’s already been stated by the governor, the Department of Health, and others in leadership in this community,” Payne said.