About 3K Hawaii soldiers remain without air conditioning

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Roughly 3,000 remain without air conditioning in their barracks after a water system malfunction.

Read more HART previews Kakaako rail construction, but some want more specific details

The AC units haven’t been working since Friday, July 10, impacting soldiers at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield and Helemano Military Reservation.

Army officials said an electrical fire at the water treatment plant caused mechanical issues with deep-well pumps that deliver water to the air conditioners.

Commander of the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, Col. Rachel Sullivan, acknowledged that the situation has been uncomfortable for the soldiers in the barracks and maintenance teams have been working to repair the pumps.

Read more Gov. Green vetoes BOE executive director bill

“We know that this has been insanely uncomfortable for our soldiers in the barracks,” Sullivan said. “We have a third pump motor that is currently under repair, and we anticipate having it operational early next week. Until then, we have to keep water conservation measures in place.”

Officials said the AC should be restored before the weekend.

They are also working on a long-term solution, which includes relocation, but it won’t be completed until 2030.

Read more OHA asks court to strike minority trustees’ filing in CEO lawsuit