Hirono Statement on Water Issues at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after speaking with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Commander Admiral John Aquilino and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Energy, Installations and Environment, Meredith Berger about the ongoing water issues at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam:

“Families and servicemembers in Hawaii are bearing the brunt of aging and poorly maintained infrastructure—this is unacceptable. The recent pipe breaks in the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam water system has resulted in families, servicemembers and impacted communities being unable to shower, having to boil their cooking water, and face other disruptions in their day-to-day life. The incident has also forced the Navy to pause their defueling efforts at Red Hill. While the Navy worked with the Department of Health and the Board of Water Supply to remedy the situation, we need long-term solutions, not just short-term fixes. Yesterday, I spoke with INDOPACOM Commander, Admiral Aquilino and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Energy, Installations and Environment, Meredith Berger—who is responsible for overseeing all issues impacting Navy infrastructure. We discussed the need for the Department of Defense to be forward thinking when it comes to safeguarding and modernizing critical infrastructure in Hawaii and across the region. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’m committed to making that happen in order to protect families and ensure INDOPACOM meets its mission of enhancing stability in our region.”  

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