THE CARROLL COX SHOW

NEWS AND COMMENTARY

"THE CARROLL COX SHOW"

P.O. Box 89-4202

Mililani, HI 96789

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

September 26, 2013

Mr. Chris Lee

Matson

Honolulu Hawaii

Dear  Mr.  Lee,

I am Mr. Carroll Cox, the independent owner of "THE CARROLL COX SHOW".  The show is broadcast on radio station KWAI 1080 AM, on Sundays, 9 - 11 a.m.   

I am preparing to discuss the spill of molasses into the Honolulu Harbor by your employer, Matson, on my radio show this Sunday, and would like to ask your assistance in providing answers to the following questions regarding your employment status or relationship with Matson or its subsidiaries. I am particularly interested in learning more specifics about your role as "Safety Manager",  as reported in the media.

I am also interested in your past and current status as a commissioned officer( Lieutenant Commander)  in the United States Coast Guard.

1.  Are you currently employed with Matson as Safety Manager, as reported in the media?

2.  If yes, what was your employment start date?

3.  Are you, or were you a member of the U.S. Coast Guard?

4.  If yes, are you still on active duty, or what is your status?  Are you full-time or a reservist?

5.  If you are no longer with the Coast Guard as a full-time officer, what was your separation date?

6.  If you are a reservist, what was your start date?

7.  Did you have any role, or make a formal request, to invite the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force to Honolulu?   If yes, was it done by formal letter, by telephone, or other communication?   Please provide copies of any communications related to this invitation and any follow up communications.

8.  What was your role in the Coast Guard?  

9.  As an active duty member were you assigned to BP's Deepwater Horizon cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico?

10.   If yes,  in what capacity did you serve?  Did you serve as Incident Command?

11.   What was your role with the U.S. Coastguard National Strike Force during its visit to Honolulu?   Did you provide information or were you interviewed as a Matson employee?  

12.  Did you disclose your relationship with the Coast Guard and what steps did you take to ensure there would not be a conflict of interest?

13.  To what extent did you participate in the Strike Force investigation of the molasses spill?

14.  Did the Coast Guard provide you or Matson with a final report?

15.  Have you provided information to the media or any state or federal agencies regarding your past or present relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard?  If yes, please provide a copy of the report.

16.   When did you first become aware of the leak of molasses into the Honolulu Harbor? 

17.  When did you first learn of the possibility that the pipes may be leaking or had other problems?

18.  When did you first meet with the State Department of Transportation, the Health Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard to discuss DOT's 2012 letter of communication that the pipes were leaking?

Thanking you in advance for taking the time from your busy schedule to provide answers to my questions.

Carroll Cox