You "think", but you're not sufficiently sure to actually tell us what it
was he might have said?

Here exactly what he said during 1958 interview:
"My belief is that Gen.Short and I were not given information available in
Washington and were not informed of the impending attack because it was feared
that the action in Hawai might deter the Japanese from making the attack.Our
president had repeatedly assured the American People that the US would not
enter the war unless we were attacked.The Japanese attack on the Fleet would
put United States in the war with full support of the American Public".

Thats exactly what he said in 1958 interview.
I dont know what he said in Naval court that exonarated him,as the trancripts
and actual findings of this court were not released,only the conclusions of
Court were released,but its safe to assume his defense based was he said in
1958.
The decision of this court,only panel that Kimmel was allowed to present his
case and defend himself,was overturned by Forrestal and King.

If you want to learn what Kimmels relatives and experts said in more recent
Congressional hearings which paved way for the passage of a Bill exhonorating
Kimmel you might want to check out:
Http://www.ukans.edu/carrie/docs/texts/kimmel.htm