Additional Coverage:
- Two civilians indicted for their role in a Pearl Harbor fuel spill that sickened 6,000 people in 2021 (nbcnews.com)
HONOLULU — Two civilian workers at the Pearl Harbor Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility have been indicted by a grand jury for their alleged roles in the 2021 fuel leak that contaminated the drinking water of thousands. The indictments mark the first criminal charges stemming from the incident, which impacted approximately 6,000 people and led to the closure of the WWII-era fuel tanks.
John Floyd, former deputy director of the Fuels Department, and Nelson Wu, former supervisory engineer, are accused of providing false information to the Navy regarding a May 2021 spill. This misinformation, prosecutors say, led the Navy to significantly underreport the amount of leaked fuel to the Hawaii Department of Health.
Instead of the actual 20,000 gallons, the Navy reported only 1,618 gallons, failing to disclose that nearly 18,000 gallons remained unaccounted for. The indictment alleges Floyd and Wu deliberately redacted data and falsified records, leading to charges of conspiracy and making false statements.
The Navy’s own 2022 investigation attributed the leak to a combination of mismanagement and human error. A subsequent report by the Defense Department’s inspector general highlighted the Navy’s inadequate understanding of the risks associated with maintaining the aging fuel tanks above a primary drinking water aquifer. While three retired military officers received written reprimands for their involvement, these indictments signify a more serious legal response to the crisis.
Environmental groups like the Sierra Club of Hawaii argue that responsibility extends beyond these two individuals. They point to the Navy’s awareness of the missing 20,000 gallons following the May incident, information which was not shared with the public or regulators. Previous fuel leaks at Red Hill, including one in 2014, had already prompted calls to relocate the tanks, but the Navy maintained the facility’s safety.
Attorneys for both Floyd and Wu have been contacted but have yet to offer comment.