Asbestos Exposure Sites in Hawaii
Hawaii has 2 documented asbestos exposure sites spanning 2 industries. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Hawaii
Hawaii's asbestos exposure history is dominated by its military installations and maritime industry, both critical to the state's strategic importance in the Pacific. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on Oahu is one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the nation, where thousands of civilian and military workers built, repaired, and maintained warships from World War II through the late twentieth century. Asbestos was used extensively in ship insulation, boiler rooms, engine rooms, and throughout the shipyard's industrial buildings. Other major military installations including Hickam Air Force Base, Schofield Barracks, and Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay all contained asbestos in their buildings and infrastructure. The commercial shipping and sugar refining industries that historically drove Hawaii's economy also contributed to asbestos exposure. Sugar mills on Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island used asbestos insulation in their boilers and processing equipment. Power plants operated by Hawaiian Electric Company on multiple islands relied on asbestos materials. Hawaii's tropical climate and salt air created corrosion conditions that required frequent maintenance work, increasing workers' contact with asbestos materials. Many older hotels, commercial buildings, and military housing units across the islands still contain asbestos. Hawaii applies a two-year statute of limitations from diagnosis, and the strong military connection means many claims involve federal employment at Pearl Harbor and other installations.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Hawaii: Naval shipbuilding and repair, Military installations, Sugar refining, Power generation, Commercial shipping.
Notable exposure sites: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Oahu; Hickam Air Force Base, Oahu; Schofield Barracks, Oahu; Hawaiian Electric Company plants; C. Brewer & Company sugar mills.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Hawaii
What is Hawaii's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Hawaii has a two-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year filing deadline from the date of death.
Was Pearl Harbor a major asbestos exposure site?
Yes. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the United States. Tens of thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos during ship construction, repair, and maintenance operations spanning several decades.
Can former military personnel file mesothelioma claims for Hawaii exposure?
Yes. Veterans and civilian workers exposed to asbestos at Pearl Harbor and other Hawaii military installations can file claims against the manufacturers of asbestos products used at those sites. VA benefits may also be available for service-connected mesothelioma.
Are there mesothelioma treatment centers in Hawaii?
Hawaii has oncology treatment centers at major hospitals in Honolulu, including The Queen's Medical Center and Tripler Army Medical Center, which serves both active military and veterans.