Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced it would be closing the Red Hill fuel facility in Hawai’i amid a contamination crisis affecting thousands of people in Oahu. 

The facility — which consists of 20 massive tanks — is located just 100 feet above the primary drinking aquifer in Oahu — and for years, petroleum has been found in Oahu’s water supply. 

Native Hawaiians have demanded the dismantling of the World War II era facility with months of protesting— including a demonstration outside the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in December. 

To better understand the contamination crisis, The Takeaway spoke with an expert. Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer is a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi and a member of O’ahu Water Protectors and Kaohewai.