After a jet fuel leak into the water system serving 93,000 people on and around the Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii, Richelle Dietz, a mother of two and wife of a U.S. Navy officer, and her family suffered from health problems they attributed to the tainted water. The Dietz family spends over $120 a month on bottled water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, along with showerhead and sink filters. They have experienced vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and other ailments since the leak in 2021, which they believe was caused by fuel from World War II-era storage tanks. Dietz, along with 16 other relatives of military members, are suing the United States over the leak which they say continues to impact their health.
The 17 plaintiffs in the lawsuit are considered “bellwether” cases representing more than 7,500 other military family members, civilians, and service members who have been affected by the water contamination. The trial, set to begin on Monday, will help determine the success of the other cases and the potential damages that could be awarded. While the U.S. government has admitted liability for the spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in November 2021, they dispute that the plaintiffs were exposed to jet fuel at levels high enough to cause their health problems, including seizures, memory loss, anxiety, eczema, and asthma.
Upon arriving in Hawaii in February 2021, the Dietz family initially thought they were moving to paradise, but soon after the leak in November, they began experiencing stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes. Other families in the neighborhood also reported similar symptoms. Despite their health issues, Navy officers reportedly failed to warn residents about the fuel in the water even after learning about it. The Dietz family, along with others, noticed an oily sheen and a gasoline-like smell in their tap water. Attorneys representing the families believe the trial will reveal the negligence of Navy officers in addressing the contaminated water.
The fuel storage tanks above an aquifer that supplies water to 400,000 people in urban Honolulu have long been a concern for Native Hawaiians and other residents. The Navy initially couldn’t determine how petroleum got into the water but later found that operator errors led to a spill of 21,000 gallons of fuel. The majority of the fuel entered a fire suppression line and eventually made its way into the water system over six months. Despite the ongoing health issues faced by residents, Navy representatives and government attorneys declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Dietz and her family, along with other affected military families, found solidarity and support from the Native Hawaiian community during the water crisis. Native Hawaiians, who view water as a sacred resource, have had a long history of distrust towards the U.S. military due to past events like the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom. The water crisis brought together affected military families and Native Hawaiians, creating a sense of unity and support during a challenging time. The military eventually drained the tanks following pressure from state officials, protests, and ongoing outcry from the community.
As the Dietz family prepares to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida, this summer, they hope that the trial will bring awareness to the issues surrounding the contaminated water at Pearl Harbor. Richelle Dietz expressed concern for future residents who may move into their current home, which has remained impacted by the water issues since 2021. Despite the challenges they have faced, the Dietz family remains hopeful that their fight for justice and accountability will continue to shed light on the consequences of the fuel leak and its impact on military families and communities in Hawaii.
