Hawaii Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Hawaii is one of the few places in the world that does not have any naturally occurring asbestos deposits. This is because Hawaii was formed from volcanoes and not the collision of tectonic plates like the rest of the United States and Canada, and most of the world.

However, Hawaii is not released from asbestos related injuries and illnesses since it is home to two military bases and major oil refineries, which were laden with asbestos products.

At Risk Occupations and Locations in Hawaii

It is a fact that people in marine industries throughout the United States run a much higher risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. Pearl Harbor, located in Hawaii is one of the largest and most important US Naval bases in the country. Pearl Harbor also has had oil refining capacities in the past. Ships and boats, as well as oil refining equipment have a long standing association with asbestos insulation and protective gear worn in the manufacturing processes and while working aboard the vessels or in the oil refineries. For most military personnel, exposure took place below decks on ships where asbestos fibers became concentrated in the enclosed spaces.

In oil refineries, fire is a consistent hazard. Unfortunately, much of the gear that was used to protect the workers from fire was made with asbestos, and thereby created a problem itself. Fire suits and fire gloves were often made with asbestos because asbestos is well known for its resistance to heat and fire. When fire protective gear was worn down or ripped, the asbestos fibers were released into the air where they could be inhaled by the workers. Overtime this could result in a variety of asbestos-related diseases and illnesses, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Related Deaths in Hawaii

Since 1979, there have been 138 deaths resulting from asbestos exposure in Hawaii. Of these 138 deaths, 79 were from mesothelioma and 59 were from asbestosis. Asbestos related deaths by county in Hawaii are listed below:

Honolulu County
Asbestosis - 53
Mesothelioma - 61

Hawaii County
Asbestosis - 2
Mesothelioma - 10

Kauai County
Asbestosis - 2
Mesothelioma - 4

Maui County
Asbestosis - 2
Mesothelioma - 4

As you can see from the above numbers, the highest concentration of deaths in Hawaii were located in Honolulu County because this county is more densely populated that the rest of the state. It is important to note that asbestosis is much more common than mesothelioma, however the majority of asbestos-related deaths in Hawaii are due to mesothelioma. The reasons for this include:

• The insulation used in ships and boats contained amphibole asbestos fibers which are hard and spear-like. These fibers cause cancer more quickly in victims.
• Respiratory diseases of all types, including mesothelioma, have very similar symptoms in the early stages. Mesothelioma is not the first thing that comes to the mind of a physician when diagnosing, which means that this cancer is usually not diagnosed until the later stages.
• Mesothelioma is also malignant cancer, which can spread to other areas of the body, while asbestosis is not malignant and stays primarily in the lungs. Mesothelioma is incurable and once it has begun to spread is nearly impossible to stop. The progression of asbestosis in a patient usually stops when the person is no longer in the environment where they are exposed to asbestos.

Legal Resources for Hawaii Residents

Asbestos legislation in Hawaii for asbestos-related diseases has been minimal in Hawaii. A search of the state judiciary cases (equivalent of a supreme court) turns up no results for mesothelioma cases or asbestos cases in general. However, even though the litigation on mesothelioma and asbestos is non-existent in the higher court system, the lower courts have seen quite a few cases.

There are no specific asbestos statutes in Hawaii, however the cases thus far have been pro-victim. There have been 12 major companies in Hawaii that have filed for bankruptcy, which may affect the payout of mesothelioma lawsuits and claims. Most of the cases launched against companies that are not bankrupt are often settled out of court with settlements.

The largest asbestos-related issues in Hawaii relate to the natural preservation of the area. Additionally, a school was found to have asbestos in it in 2005 - however it will take years before it is known whether mesothelioma will be caused by this exposure. One teacher at the school has promised to keep all the students names that were exposed to asbestos on file until the outcome is known.

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