Navy contests Hawaiʻi's orders to suspend, drain fuel tanks

[Tony]

Wow! Hawaii vs the Navy! 

HONOLULU — The U.S. Navy is contesting orders from Hawaii to suspend use of fuel tanks and drain them at a complex above an aquifer that supplies nearly 20% of Honolulu's drinking water until certain conditions are met.

The Navy has already said it was suspending use of the massive World War II-era fuel storage complex near Pearl Harbor following days of complaints that tap water smells like fuel and has sickened some people.

But Hawaiʻi's state government order demands that the suspension remain in effect until independent evaluators can ensure that appropriate actions are taken to protect drinking water.