Hawai‘i Island Mayor Billy Kenoi addressed the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce the other day. He asked, “If we have the most productive geothermal in the world, how come we are not using it?”
The Mayor is serious! He is organizing a trip to Ormoc City, Philippines, which has an economy similar to the Big Island’s. Its populationis close to the population of the Big Island. They produce 700MW of geothermal, which they share by cable with other islands. We only produce 30MW.
The mayor wants to see how they do it. Since “if they can do it, we can do it.” Mayor Kenoi understands energy issues very well.
People do not say that 100 percent renewable is a dumb idea, but some say it can’t be done. I agree with the Mayor – it can be done, and it will be done. Not no can. CAN!
And the beneficiary of cheap, proven-technology, environmentally benign geothermal electricity will be all the folks and businesses here who are struggling to make ends meet. Perhaps we will see jobs develop that keep our children from leaving Hawai‘i.
Right now, there are more Hawaiians living outside of the state than in the state. What’s wrong with that picture?
From a West Hawaii Today article:
How, Kenoi then asked the crowd, can the island have the most productive geothermal hotspot in the world and not use it?
“It’s not intermittent,” he said. “It’s cheap, renewable, clean power. How can we not have this opportunity to encourage investment and fully develop the island of Hawaii as a 100 percent renewable energy island?”
He said with excess geothermal electricity, “we can have hydrogen to power buses.”
On both the renewable energy issue and keeping Kona’s international airport designation, Kenoi said he is also working with Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office, seeking federal assistance….
ALoha Richard,
This surge of support is exactly what is needed for us at this time of rising oil costs. Billy’s statements help me hold on as a parent of a single income family of 5…especially when i pay the cost of gas at the pump, the HELCO bill, and the rising cost of food today. I worry intensely about my budget, and how to keep my family on track to success as they near college age. I am not sure how to keep all I am juggling in the air, but, when Mayor Kenoi, native son of Puna, comes forth with belief in a real solution for all with excess to generate hydrogen and ammonia (fertilizer for farmers…) I see a bright future for my children and grandchildren.
Aloha, I am Wallace A. Ishibashi, Jr.
Time to make it known to all why.
I believe in Geothermal as a key component to address our energy needs here in Hawaii. Along with solar, wind, bio fuels,etc, Geo will raise above other alternative energy products but together all will to help release the grip of our addiction to oil. Peak oil has been here for a while, but only now are we experiencing the real effects of it. we see it everyday and in every way.Electricity,food,gas,the essentials of sustaining the family, these cost Is out of control ! prices will only go higher and higher, Families here are only 2-3 pay checks away from losing there home. Guest what? it’s here, it’s real,it’s happening right before your eyes.
Mahalo for the opportunity to share my manao and support for Geothermal. I am a native Hawaiian born and raised in Keaukaha, Hawai‘i. I learned about my culture and customs in the traditional way, from my grandparents and other members of our family. Our family roots are in Waipio Valley in Honokaa. Beyond that my mother’s side of the family is from Milolii, a small fishing village in South Kona, where they still practice traditional fishing as a way of life.
I am writing today in as the co chair of the Hawaii Island Geothermal working group we have done number of geothermal work shops around the state and have found the majority of our communities value the geothermal resources that we have and has questioned why no further expansion of this resource is not being done?
I have always been a supporter of geothermal, My God allow’s me to support it. I believe it is truly a gift that we need to utilize to stop the high cost of sustaining our family. Back in the 80’s when we hawaiians stood face to face in the middle of the streets in opposition to each others point of view. Friends against friends families against families it was a very difficult time in our history as culturally the point of view differs. One side says it is a violation and sacrilege of Tutu Pele. Other side believed it was a gift of Aloha from Tutu Pele. I Still believe that to be true today,it is a gift.
Yes we understood what we were up against when we proposed to create this geothermal working group. Resurrecting the old bad feelings over the issues of Geothermal expansion is a reality we must face. But with open discussion and dialog allowing openness and understanding for the culture we were able to overcome allot of the animosity. Working with Richard Ha, Pat Kahawaiolaa Mililani Trask, Bob Lindsey,and other Hawaiian leaders on getting the message out and help build a better understanding between the 2 points of view. This was an area of concern in the pass and the failure for open communication which hurt the process. Cuz Skippy Ioane and I had our open disagreement over this issue and agreed with aloha, we can agree to disagree. Mililani who took us to court and sued and won her case for Pele defense Wai Kele o Puna.
Aunty Pele Honua who is grandpa’s cousin from Punaluu / Milolii was arrested for practicing her cultural gathering rights at Wai Kele O Puna. Mililani won that case and protecting our cultural rights. Glad to have Mililani on our side now, in support of Geothermal,
IDG
We must learn from our pass. Today the high cost of living in paradise doesn’t have to be so high. We can not drill for oil or dig for gold here, but we do have geothermal which should reduce the cost of living in Hawaii. Geothermal when done Safely and correctly will propel hawaii in to the future on a sure foundation to push Hawaii forward to be independent from the worlds fossil fuels grip. Peak oil is here and it shows its ugly face everyday when we shop, eat, and fill our cars, and it will not get any better unless we act now, but even now could be to late, we already lack the luxury of time.
I am a Business Agent for ILWU Local 142 and we face the cost of doing business here in Hawaii on a daily bases, in negotiations the working family of Hawaii are continuously being faced with higher medical cost, reductions in wages, reductions in benefits, reduction of hours, take aways after take aways. Then we do shopping prices are higher again the working families take it again with higher out of pocket expenses paying more for less is the norm. Gas ! well 7.00 per gallon is right around the corner for sure. watch !
Unless the rubber slipper people see a direct saving on there bottom line it is of no use, as life spirals out of control what can the rubba slipper folks do? The working families have to see a major improvement in there pocket books and geothermal and other alternative energy resources would help provide some of that relief . Again when done properly with an eye on Safety and the people instead of big business, geothermal expansion would be an answer that is needed.
On the Big Island alone we spend over 1 Billion dollars a year to import oil to generate electricity and transportation. Imagine keeping the monies here to help our Communities, Counties, and State. Here on the Big Island, Hawaii County’s goal is to be 100% off fossil fuel for our electric power generation. And if technology and financial resource allow a inter-island cable to transmit our excess all the better for our sister and brothers on the outer islands.
Yes we will take care of our energy needs here first, But if the inter island cable was a reality, savings of 8 Billion and a curtailment of importation of oil state wide could be achieved. We as leader need to take care of out kupuna’s keiki’s and working families of Hawaii. Imua Hawaii ! be proud of who we are and what we have. use it .
aeae
Aloha Cuz;
Oil price has been doubling every 5.5 years over the last decade. If one had a $300 electricity bill now, that could double to $600 by mid 2016 and that same bill could be $1,200 by 2022. If it just doubled, that would be unbearable for most rubbah slippah folks and a huge amount of small and large businesses. If oil prices doubled, it would devastate the tourism industry. For the sake of us and future generations, geothermal is a gift that we cannot afford to throw away.
Mahalo Plenty to you Cuz,
The rubba slippa folks dont know how much aloha you have for the people of hawaii. your tireless efforts will never be forgotten.
Aloha