Join the Registry
Join the Registry
Join the registry

About the Red Hill Registry

The Red Hill Registry is dedicated to supporting those who experienced the 2021 fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and beyond. Its purpose is to connect individuals impacted by the crisis to essential services, resources, and information, while also helping to understand the broader health effects on the community.

Happy family smiling and relaxing outdoors in the sun

Co-designed with the community, the Red Hill Registry is facilitated by the University of Hawaiʻi and aims to track health outcomes and provide resources.

Community engagement activities have included regular meetings with local organizations; focus groups with individuals impacted by the water crisis, healthcare professionals and advocates, and concerned Oʻahu residents; online questionnaires; and the establishment of the Community Advisory Workgroup to ensure all voices are heard.

People who experienced the Red Hill water crisis are encouraged to complete the Pre-enrollment questionnaire as the first step toward enrolling in the Registry. Interested individuals may also sign up for updates on the Registry’s progress.

Every story matters, and the Registry's goal is to connect the Red Hill community with needed services while gaining deeper insight into the health impacts of this crisis on the community.

Mission/Vision

Mission: Co-designed with the community, the Red Hill Registry aims to track health outcomes and provide resources for those who experienced the fuel spill.

Vision: A supported and informed Red Hill community built on trust.

Timeline of the Red Hill Water Crisis and Registry Efforts

2020-2021
Water spraying from fire sprinkler in flooded underground facility.

2020–2021: Early Incidents of Fuel Release

  • In May 2021, a fuel release was reported at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility raising concerns about potential impacts to the surrounding environment and community. The fuel was inadvertently trapped in a fire suppression system pipe, where it remained undetected until it ruptured in November, 2021.
November 2021
Woman speaking at a microphone, explaining the Red Hill Registry.

November 2021: Community Concerns Emerge

  • On November 20, 2021, a cart struck a low-hanging section of PVC pipe where the jet fuel had been trapped since May. The Impact ruptured the pipe, releasing approximately 19,000 gallons of fuel into the Red Hill tunnel. Soon after, residents began noticing fuel-like odors in their tap water.
  • By November 29, 2021, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health advised residents in affected areas not to use the water. The Army began providing alternative water sources to households impacted by the situation.
December 2021
US soldiers delivering supplies, possibly related to the Red Hill Registry mission.

December 2021 – March 2022: Immediate Response and Initial Recovery

  • The State of Hawaiʻi issued an emergency order directing the U.S. Navy to suspend operations and begin safely removing fuel from the facility.
  • Leeward Community College students  residing within the contamination zone contacted their science instructors  asking for help with screening their water. Out of this response was born the UH Red Hill Task Force, made up of students, science faculty, researchers, staff across the UH System and community volunteers.
  • Following months of extensive system flushing and water quality testing, water was deemed safe by the Interagency Drinking Water System Team (IDWST) (made up of HDOH, Navy, Army, EPA) again by March 2022.
2022-2024
Person in lab coat rinsing a small vial under a faucet.

2022–2024: Planning for the Future

  • In July 2022, the Department of Defense announced an accelerated plan to defuel the Red Hill facility by July 2024.
  • In 2024, ongoing investigations and independent reports acknowledged the need for improved health risk understanding and safeguards.
  • June 2024, UH entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health’s Joint Disaster Medicine and Public Health Ecosystem (administered by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine) to establish the Red Hill Registry to provide support and resources for anyone directly impacted by the Red Hill water crisis and to track their health status. This effort is modeled in part after similar responses to other environmental incidents, like the Flint water crisis.
December 2024
Three Red Hill Registry representatives at a table with laptops and informational materials. Learn what the Red Hill Registry is.

December 2024: Beginning of the Registry Effort

  • Recognizing the importance of supporting community health, the University of Hawaiʻi launched pre-enrollment for the Red Hill Registry in December 2024.
2025-Beyond

2025 and Beyond: Building the Registry Together

  • In early 2025, planning meetings and community engagement sessions were held to help shape the Red Hill Registry.
  • August 2, 2025 The Red Hill Registry invites the public to the Launch and Community Fair! Details here.
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