BREAKING: Two civilians have been indicted for their alleged role in a catastrophic fuel spill at Pearl Harbor, which sickened 6,000 people during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2021. The grand jury’s decision comes as a critical response to the incident that outraged residents and military families alike.
Authorities have charged John Floyd and Nelson Wu with conspiracy and making false statements after they allegedly provided the Navy with misleading information about a fuel leak from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The indictment claims their actions led the Navy to significantly underreport the amount of fuel that leaked into the drinking water supply.
The spill, which occurred on May 6, 2021, initially resulted in a reported leak of 1,618 gallons (6,125 liters) of jet fuel. However, prosecutors assert that Floyd and Wu misled officials, stating the actual amount that seeped out was closer to 20,000 gallons (75,700 liters), with 18,000 gallons (68,000 liters) unaccounted for. This misinformation allowed the Navy to assure the Hawaii Department of Health that water safety was not compromised.
A 2022 Navy investigation cited “shoddy management” and human error as the primary causes of the leak. The fallout from the spill prompted the military to close the aging tanks, which had been in place since World War II, amid escalating concerns about public health and safety. The Defense Department’s inspector general also highlighted a lack of understanding among Navy officials regarding the risks of maintaining such massive fuel storage tanks above a drinking water well.
The implications of this spill are significant, affecting not only military personnel at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam but also the wider community relying on the drinking water. The incident has reignited discussions about the safety of fuel storage practices and the protection of Oahu’s precious water resources.
Both Floyd and Wu face serious legal consequences, with each indicted on one count of conspiracy and one count of making false statements. As of now, the federal public defender representing Floyd has not commented, while Wu’s attorney, Alen Kaneshiro, declined to provide a statement.
The Navy’s handling of the situation has raised eyebrows, especially given the history of fuel leaks at the Red Hill facility, including a notable incident in 2014. Environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club of Hawaii, have long urged the military to relocate the tanks to prevent future threats to the island’s water supply.
WHAT’S NEXT: The legal proceedings against Floyd and Wu will unfold in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Navy’s ongoing scrutiny of fuel storage practices will likely attract further attention as residents demand accountability and transparency regarding their health and safety.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
