Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos Exposure in Hawaii (HI)

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Prevalence in Hawaii

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are two deadly diseases commonly caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Microscopic asbestos fibers can become lodged in the thin tissues lining internal organs, leading to severe and often fatal illnesses.

From 2017 to 2021, Hawaii recorded an age-adjusted mesothelioma rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people, with 34 new cases reported.

Almost all buildings in Hawaii constructed before 1980 contain traces of asbestos, creating ongoing health risks for both residents and visitors.

Lung cancer also poses a significant health concern in the state. In 2023, an estimated 930 new lung and bronchus cancer cases were reported in Hawaii, resulting in approximately 480 deaths.

Between 2017 and 2021, the age-adjusted lung cancer rate in Hawaii was 39.8 per 100,000 people, with 4,045 new cases diagnosed during that period. As of 2024, the lung cancer incidence rate stands at 40.0, which is lower than the national average of 53.6. Hawaii ranks sixth in the United States for lung cancer incidence, with new case rates improving by 17 percent over the past five years.

Contributing Factors

Unlike many states, Hawaii does not have naturally occurring asbestos deposits. However, asbestos exposure has historically resulted from occupational activities, imported materials, and older buildings constructed before regulatory changes.

Shipyards, particularly the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, were major sources of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding materials such as insulation, piping, and adhesives. Military facilities, power plants, and manufacturing sites also contributed to exposure risks.

The agricultural sector posed additional hazards, as asbestos-containing materials were commonly found in farming equipment. In 2023, wildfires on Maui worsened the situation by releasing asbestos fibers and other toxic substances, including arsenic and lead, into the air.

Public buildings such as schools, government offices, and residential homes�especially those built before 1980�continue to present asbestos exposure risks. Occupational exposure remains a critical factor in protecting Hawaii's workforce and residents.

Prolonged asbestos exposure has also been linked to increased lung cancer rates, particularly among individuals who smoke.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure has affected workers and families in every state, across countless industries, and often long after the original exposure occurred. Asbestos-related illness is not limited to any single region. Exposure has occurred in factories, power plants, oil refineries, shipyards, schools, hospitals, military bases, and residential buildings throughout the United States.

Workplace

LEAD ASBESTOS ATTORNEYS

Ryan G. Dickherber

John F. Theil

High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in Hawaii

Although Hawaii lacks natural asbestos deposits, many workers have been exposed to asbestos through job sites and imported construction materials. Several occupations face elevated risks.

Shipyard Workers and Naval Veterans

From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was extensively used in naval shipyards across Hawaii. Shipyard workers and naval veterans were frequently exposed to asbestos-containing materials used in insulation, ship components, and mechanical systems.

Notable exposure sites include the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Pacific Shipyards International. Although asbestos use has since been discontinued, the long-term health effects continue to impact former workers and service members.

Construction Workers

Construction workers involved in building schools, hotels, residential complexes, and government facilities before 1980 were often exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Many of these structures remain in use today.

Power Plant Workers

Asbestos was commonly used to insulate high-temperature equipment in power plants, including boilers, turbines, and piping systems. Workers were routinely exposed during maintenance and repair operations.

Following the 2023 Maui wildfires, several utility companies faced lawsuits after asbestos and other hazardous materials were released into the environment during the Lahaina fire.

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Cities in Hawaii with Asbestos

There are 60 cities in Hawaii that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds

Landmark Hawaii Asbestos Verdicts

Kenneth Cain vs. Owens-Illinois and Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation

Kenneth Cain worked as an insulator helper and later as a process mechanic between 1953 and 1962, during which time he was exposed to asbestos-containing insulation products. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1989.

Cain filed a lawsuit against multiple manufacturers and distributors. While most defendants settled before trial, Owens-Illinois and Owens-Corning Fiberglas proceeded to trial. In 1990, a jury awarded Cain $5,370,400 in general and special damages.

State of Hawaii vs. Various Parties

In August 2001, the State of Hawaii settled multiple asbestos-related property damage cases involving state buildings. The recovery exceeded $33.1 million after legal fees.

The lawsuit, filed in 1993, named several defendants, including W.R. Grace & Co., United States Gypsum Co., Kelly-Moore Paint Company, Kaiser Gypsum Company Inc., and Highland Stucco & Lime Products, Inc.