A series of one-on-one “talk story” interviews, also called “soft sounds interviews,” was held with key stakeholders and community influencers throughout Oahu to gain insight on their views of repurposing RHBFSF. Potential interviewees who represent a cross section of the community, including Native Hawaiian organizations, environmental groups, neighborhood boards, academia, business, the nonprofit sector and local government, were identified and invited to participate in the interview process. The individuals included residents who have been involved with and/or vocal on Red Hill-related issues as well as those who may not have been publicly active. Each individual was provided with a brief overview of the repurposing outreach project and invited to participate in a one-on-one informal interview.

CommPac developed a list of open-ended questions that were used during each interview. The questions were designed to allow the interviewees to provide as much or as little information as they felt comfortable. The questions solicited interviewees’ thoughts on potential repurposing of RHBFSF after the tanks are defueled and the facility is closed, ideas the interviewees might have for alternative uses of the facility, reaction to four potential repurposing categories (Department of Defense use, non-Department of Defense use, alternative energy use and non-alternative energy use), and what repurposing idea would be the most beneficial to the people of Hawaii. Specific examples of potential repurposing ideas were not included in the questions so as not to influence the responses or to give an impression that any particular idea was being favored over any others.

The prepared questions served as a starting point for the interviews, and in many cases, led to the individuals taking the conversation in a direction that they felt most comfortable with. The questions served as a guide for the discussion, and depending on the conversation, not all questions were asked during each interview. Because of this, the findings that  will be detailed in a report that will be submitted to the Navy later this summer do not include any rankings of the ideas and suggestions that were raised by the interviewees.

To encourage candor, interviewees were assured that their comments would not be attributed to them directly but would be compiled into a report along with comments from other individuals.