Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard: Filing Asbestos Claims in Hawaii for Mesothelioma Victims

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Honolulu, Hawaii exposed approximately 24,000 workers to deadly asbestos at its World War II peak—and tens of thousands more in the decades that followed [1]. As the largest naval shipyard in the Pacific, PHNSY performed critical repairs on battleships, submarines, and aircraft carriers, but those same operations created an invisible hazard that continues causing mesothelioma diagnoses today.

Executive Summary

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) has served as the Pacific Fleet's primary repair facility since 1908, employing up to 24,000 workers during World War II. Workers performing ship construction, repair, and overhaul were exposed to hundreds of asbestos-containing products—from pipe insulation in engine rooms to deck tiles and fireproofing throughout vessels. The tropical Hawaiian climate and confined shipboard spaces created especially hazardous conditions where asbestos fibers accumulated. Today, former PHNSY workers and their families can pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds, lawsuits against manufacturers, and VA benefits for veterans. Hawaii's 2-year statute of limitations makes prompt action essential. This guide documents exposure patterns at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and explains how to file asbestos claims in Hawaii.

10 Key Facts About Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

Peak Employment: 24,000 workers during World War II [1]
Facility Established: 1908, over 115 years of operations [1]
Location: Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii (Oahu)
Peak Asbestos Use: 1940s-1980s during major ship operations [2]
Ship Types Serviced: Nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, destroyers, battleships
Asbestos Products: 300+ products documented in naval vessels [2]
Current Status: Active nuclear submarine maintenance facility (PHNSY & IMF)
Hawaii Filing Deadline: 2 years from diagnosis for personal injury claims
Mesothelioma Risk: 4-7x higher than general population for shipyard workers [3]
VA Recognition: Presumptive service connection for shipyard asbestos exposure

What Is the History of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard?

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard has served the U.S. Pacific Fleet for over a century, and this extensive history means multiple generations of workers faced asbestos exposure across different eras of naval operations.

24,000

Peak workers employed at PHNSY during World War II

Early Operations (1908-1941)

The shipyard opened in 1908 as a coaling station and ship repair facility:

Gradual expansion to support growing Pacific Fleet
Construction of dry docks capable of servicing battleships
Early asbestos use in boiler rooms and insulation began
By 1941, employed several thousand workers

World War II Expansion

The December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor transformed the shipyard into a 24-hour emergency repair facility:

Employment surged to 24,000 workers at peak [1]
Repair operations ran continuously to return damaged ships to service
Workers salvaged and rebuilt vessels damaged in the attack
Asbestos use was extensive and completely unregulated
Tropical heat made conditions in engine rooms especially brutal

The urgency of wartime production meant workers received no protection from asbestos exposure. Many worked 10-12 hour shifts in confined spaces thick with asbestos dust [2].

"The men who rebuilt our Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor after the attack worked in conditions we wouldn't accept today. They breathed in asbestos fibers every day, often working in heat over 100 degrees in enclosed engine rooms. These workers are American heroes, and they deserve full compensation for what that service cost them."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Cold War and Modern Era

After World War II, PHNSY continued as the Pacific Fleet's primary maintenance facility:

Major nuclear submarine maintenance capability added in 1960s
Thousands of military and civilian workers employed continuously
Asbestos used heavily through 1970s and into 1980s
Today operates as PHNSY & IMF with nuclear certification

The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard exposure profile documents the facility's complete history and exposure patterns.

How Were Workers Exposed to Asbestos at Pearl Harbor?

Naval vessels contained asbestos in virtually every system, and Pearl Harbor's role repairing battle-damaged ships created unique exposure risks.

Primary Asbestos Exposure Sources

Location/System	Asbestos Products Used	Workers Affected
Engine Rooms	Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, gaskets	Machinists, boilermakers, pipefitters
Boiler Rooms	Boiler insulation, refractory cement, gaskets	Boilermakers, firemen, enginemen
Living Quarters	Deck tiles, bulkhead insulation, ceiling panels	Shipfitters, carpenters, laborers
Electrical Systems	Wire insulation, electrical panels, switchboards	Electricians, electronics technicians
Piping Systems	Pipe covering, gaskets, valve packing	Pipefitters, plumbers, welders
Submarine Compartments	Insulation, gaskets, specialized materials	Nuclear workers, submariner ratings

Unique Hawaiian Exposure Conditions

Pearl Harbor's tropical location created especially hazardous working conditions:

Extreme Heat: Temperatures in shipboard machinery spaces often exceeded 110°F, causing workers to breathe more heavily and inhale more fibers
Humidity: High humidity caused some asbestos materials to deteriorate faster
Poor Ventilation: Efforts to cool spaces often redistributed asbestos fibers
Extended Shifts: Wartime urgency meant prolonged exposure periods

300+

Asbestos-containing products documented on naval vessels

Confined Space Exposure

The most dangerous exposures occurred in confined shipboard spaces:

Bilges: Lowest ship areas where asbestos dust accumulated
Pipe tunnels: Narrow passages lined with asbestos-wrapped pipes
Machinery spaces: Enclosed compartments with minimal ventilation
Submarine compartments: Extremely confined spaces with intense exposure

"Working on submarines at Pearl Harbor was like being inside an asbestos box. Every pipe was wrapped in it, every gasket contained it, and there was nowhere for the fibers to go. The men working those boats had no idea what they were breathing in. After helping hundreds of Navy veterans with their claims, I've heard these stories firsthand. Now we fight for them."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Which Jobs Had the Highest Asbestos Risk at PHNSY?

While all Pearl Harbor shipyard workers faced asbestos exposure, certain trades experienced the most intensive and sustained contact with asbestos materials.

Extreme Risk Occupations

Insulators/Laggers: Installed and removed pipe and equipment insulation daily
Pipefitters: Cut, fitted, and repaired asbestos-wrapped piping systems
Boilermakers: Worked inside boilers surrounded by asbestos materials

Very High Risk Occupations

Shipfitters: Installed asbestos-containing structural materials
Welders: Used asbestos blankets and worked near insulation
Machinists: Repaired machinery with asbestos gaskets and packing
Electricians: Handled asbestos-insulated wiring and panels
Nuclear Workers: Submarine maintenance in extremely confined spaces

High Risk Occupations

Painters: Surface preparation disturbed asbestos materials
Riggers: Handled asbestos rope and worked throughout ships
General Laborers: Cleanup and support in contaminated areas
Firefighters/Damage Control: Responded to emergencies disturbing asbestos

The Shipyard Exposure Index provides detailed risk documentation for all shipyard occupations.

What Is Hawaii's Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Claims?

Hawaii law establishes specific deadlines for filing mesothelioma lawsuits, making prompt legal action essential for Pearl Harbor workers.

2 Years

Hawaii statute of limitations from diagnosis

Personal Injury Claims

Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 657-7:

Time Limit: 2 years from date of mesothelioma diagnosis
Discovery Rule: Clock starts when you knew or should have known of injury
Tolling: Certain circumstances may extend the deadline

Wrongful Death Claims

Families of deceased PHNSY workers can file under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 663-3:

Time Limit: 2 years from date of death
Who Can File: Surviving spouse, children, parents, or estate representative

Trust Fund Claims Are Different

Asbestos trust fund claims are not subject to Hawaii's statute of limitations but have their own deadlines:

Each trust has individual claim filing procedures
Some trusts require filing within 3 years of diagnosis
An experienced attorney can navigate multiple trust requirements

What Compensation Is Available for Pearl Harbor Workers?

Former Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma have multiple compensation options that can total well over $1 million combined.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds established by bankrupt manufacturers. PHNSY workers typically qualify for multiple trusts based on products used at the shipyard:

Johns-Manville: Pipe insulation used extensively in ships
Owens Corning: Insulation products throughout vessels
Eagle-Picher: Ship insulation materials
Garlock: Gaskets and packing materials
Hopeman Brothers: Shipboard construction materials

Combined trust fund recoveries typically range from $180,000 to $400,000 or more for shipyard mesothelioma cases.

Lawsuits Against Manufacturers

Workers can sue companies that manufactured, distributed, or supplied asbestos products used at PHNSY without adequate warnings:

Average settlements: $1-2 million
Verdicts can reach significantly higher in cases of egregious conduct
Claims can be filed even if some manufacturers are bankrupt

VA Benefits for Veterans

Veterans who served at Pearl Harbor qualify for VA disability benefits:

Disability Rating: 100% for mesothelioma
Monthly Compensation: $3,700+ tax-free (2026 rates)
DIC Benefits: $1,612+/month for surviving spouses
Aid and Attendance: Additional benefits for those needing daily care
VA Healthcare: Full coverage for mesothelioma treatment

"VA benefits are separate from trust funds and lawsuits—veterans can pursue all three. I've seen too many families leave money on the table because they didn't know their rights. A Pearl Harbor veteran with mesothelioma could be entitled to over $1 million in combined compensation, plus ongoing VA benefits. We make sure they get every dollar."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Federal Employee Compensation

Civilian workers at PHNSY may qualify for additional benefits:

FECA: Federal Employees' Compensation Act benefits for federal civilian employees
Longshore Act: Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation for shipyard workers
These benefits are available in addition to trust funds and lawsuits

$1M+

Typical combined compensation for shipyard mesothelioma cases

Frequently Asked Questions

How many workers were exposed to asbestos at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard?

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard employed approximately 24,000 workers at its peak during World War II, with tens of thousands more employed from the 1940s through the 1980s. Virtually every worker who entered the shipyard was exposed to asbestos from ship construction, repair, and overhaul operations.

What is the statute of limitations for Hawaii mesothelioma lawsuits?

Hawaii allows 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury mesothelioma lawsuit, and 2 years from death to file a wrongful death claim. The discovery rule means the clock starts when you learn of your diagnosis, not when exposure occurred decades earlier.

Can former Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Former PHNSY workers diagnosed with mesothelioma can file claims against asbestos product manufacturers, pursue asbestos trust funds, and (for veterans) claim VA disability benefits. Civilian shipyard workers may also qualify for FECA or Longshore Act benefits.

What compensation is available for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard mesothelioma victims?

PHNSY workers can pursue asbestos trust funds ($180,000-$400,000+ combined), lawsuits against manufacturers ($1-2 million average settlements), VA benefits (100% disability rating for veterans), and federal workers' compensation for civilian employees.

Is Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard still operating today?

Yes. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) remains one of the largest naval shipyards in the Pacific, performing nuclear submarine maintenance and surface ship repairs. While asbestos use has largely ceased, workers may encounter legacy asbestos during repair work.

How long after working at Pearl Harbor can mesothelioma develop?

Mesothelioma typically develops 20-50 years after asbestos exposure. Workers who left PHNSY in the 1970s-1990s are being diagnosed today. The latency period means many veterans are only now discovering their illness decades after military service.

Next Steps for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Workers

If you worked at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you likely have significant claims for compensation against the companies whose asbestos products caused your illness. The workers who built and maintained America's Pacific Fleet deserve justice.

Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys have helped hundreds of shipyard workers and their families recover compensation. Our team understands the unique circumstances of military and shipyard exposure, and we are committed to fighting for every Pearl Harbor worker's rights.

Hawaii's 2-year statute of limitations means time is critical. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your PHNSY exposure and potential claims.

Related Resources

Shipyard Workers and Asbestos: 25+ US Shipyards — Overview of shipyard exposure nationwide
Navy Veteran Mesothelioma Benefits 2026 — Complete VA benefits guide
Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma — Comprehensive VA information
Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your claim

Learn More

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Profile — Detailed facility exposure documentation
Shipyard Exposure Index — All documented shipyards
Veteran Benefits Guide — VA claims information

Sources:

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Historical Employment Records. Naval History and Heritage Command. (2024).
Pacific Fleet Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Assessment. Navy Environmental Health Center. (2023).
Shipyard Worker Mesothelioma Mortality Study. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. (2024).
Hawaii Workplace Safety and Asbestos Regulations. Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division. (2024).

Last updated: January 29, 2026