VNR: Red Hill water data centralized by UH team for public access

Link to video and sound: https://go.hawaii.edu/Yiy

In response to the Red Hill (Kapūkakī) water contamination crisis on Oʻahu, the University of Hawaiʻi Red Hill Task Force has created the Red Hill Information Hub to keep the public up to date on the latest information and resources involving the Red Hill water crisis. The hub is a one-stop-shop of the latest information, data and tools that can also be used for education, communication and research. 

The hub is a UH system-wide effort, led by the UH Red Hill Task Force, which operates out of the UH Mānoa Water Resources Research Center (WRRC). The National Disaster Preparedness Training Center supported the WRRC with the creation of this Hub, with Lisa Webster and Cuong Tran as the lead developers. UH faculty, staff and students across the Mānoa campus and Leeward Community College, independent scientists and community members have also contributed to this effort. 

“This knowledge product directly addresses the expressed data needs of community members, builds on, and complements existing data gathering efforts led by state and federal agencies, and is a safe space for robust, accurate, and objective information,” said WRRC Director Thomas Giambelluca.

The hub provides resources to the community, including tap water screening, the latest Hawaiʻi Department of Health water monitoring reports, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health surveys, a newsfeed and upcoming public meetings and events. There are also educational resources for teachers, students and researchers.

The hub also provides links to data from state and federal agencies including Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Red Hill Water information website, the Board of Water Supply’s Red Hill updates page, the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam drinking water long-term monitoring dashboard and other related websites and data portals. 

“The information hub is purpose-built to proactively and adaptively respond to the communities' needs,” said Mia Comeros, WRRC Red Hill Research Project Coordinator. “We operationalize this through meticulous planning and an ongoing process of consultation, review, and reporting to RHTF members, contributors and community members.” 

The hub is a response to the fuel spill that occurred in November 2021 and prior spills dating back to 2005. It is designed to educate and inform the community, policymakers, educators, professionals and students on water quality, conservation and sustainability practices for Hawaiʻi's future. 

UH Mānoa units that have helped contribute to the Red Hill Information Hub include: National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Sea Grant College Program, College of Engineering, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health and the College of Social Sciences. 

Due to the large number of resources on the site, viewing the Hub on a desktop computer is recommended. For more information, see the Red Hill Information Hub. 

SOUNDBITES:

Mia Comeros, WRRC Red Hill Research Project Coordinator (:16)
“UH is in a prime position with expertise and with support and with networks already existing to provide a safe place for good and robust information to the community.”

Cuong Tran, Red Hill Information Hub Lead Developer (:15)
“We wanted to really help the public and provide them with general educational resources. Not only on Red Hill, but centered on water contamination and water security in the face of climate change for Hawaiʻi.”

Lisa Webster, Red Hill Information Hub Lead Developer (:12)
“I think it’s important to know that this hub is really primarily built to help the public and that it is a work in progress and we are looking for public feedback to continue to improve.” 

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