HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	214
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING Vice Admiral John Wade on his SUCCESS as THE COMMANDER OF THE JOINT TASK FORCE-RED HILL in defueling the red hill bulk fuel storage facility.

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives is proud to honor and recognize outstanding individuals who contribute to the advancement and service of Hawaii's communities; and

WHEREAS, in November 2021, fuel leaked from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility into one of Oahu's primary aquifers, which led to contamination of the Navy's water distribution system; and

WHEREAS, in December 2021 and May 2022, the Department of Health issued emergency orders requiring the Navy to cease all operations at the facility and defuel Red Hill's operational underground fuel storage tanks; and

WHEREAS, in September 2022, the Secretary of Defense appointed VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE as the Commander of Joint Task Force-Red Hill to coordinate the safe and expeditious defueling and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility with state and federal stakeholders, while also rebuilding trust with Oahu's communities and the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE built a team with a wealth of knowledge due to their range of military and civilian backgrounds within the Department of Defense and Hawaii Army and Air National Guard; and

WHEREAS, VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE developed collaborative relationships and routinely coordinated and shared information with Hawaii's Congressional delegation and Congressional committees, the Governor, Honolulu Mayor, numerous state legislators and committees, federal and state regulatory agencies, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, United States Indo-Pacific Command, the Department of the Navy, United States Transportation Command, and the Defense Logistics Agency; and

WHEREAS, VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE was also committed to keeping the public and military families informed through frequent community and media engagements; and

WHEREAS, VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE was receptive to critical feedback and responded to such by incorporating community suggestions into the defueling plan to reduce the risks associated with these procedures; and

WHEREAS, under VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE's leadership, the Joint Task Force-Red Hill was able to safely and successfully remove over 104 million gallons of fuel six months earlier than expected under the original Defueling Plan; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that this body hereby congratulates VICE ADMIRAL JOHN WADE on his success as the Commander of Joint Task Force-Red Hill in defueling the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility while rebuilding trust throughout the State and with Oahu's communities, and extends to him its warmest aloha and best wishes in all future endeavors.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Vice Admiral John Wade; Joint Task Force-Red Hill; Commander; Defueling Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility