In Part 1 and Part 2 of this article, we talked about how in just one generation, the U.S. middle class increasingly came under financial pressure. And we talked about how our whole complex economy is now resting on the stressed-out middle class.

We are noticing that as the finite oil supply depletes, the world population increases, and that puts more and more pressure on demand. As prices rise beyond what we can stand, our economy will drop back into recession. It’s a scenario that can keep repeating itself.

There are a couple of “big picture” things that are unique to us living here on the Big Island, which we can use to do something about all this.

1) We can support the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT). Now that the Comprehensive Management Plan has passed, there are specifics in place to take care of Mauna Kea and so we can proceed with the Thirty-Meter Telescope process.

The TMT is a $1.3 billion construction project. It will take nine years to build and will employ more than 300 people during the construction phase. These jobs will help alleviate pressure on our middle class.

Many people feel that most oil exporting nations will no longer be able to export oil within 10 -20 years. If so, we will be happy to have a resource like the TMT located on the Big Island.

In steady state operation, the TMT’s payroll will exceed $25 million a year — and it will be around for 50 years after construction is finished in nine years or so. These are steady jobs that will not rise and fall with the economic times. This will be increasingly more important as the economy suffers from rising oil prices.  In addition, the TMT folks are willing to dedicate a significant amount of money to the education of our keiki, K-12 and beyond.

In addition, the TMT folks are willing to dedicate a significant amount of money to the education of our keiki, K-12 and beyond.

Having this opportunity to site the best telescope in the world on our island is a unique opportunity that comes only once in a lifetime. For the sake of the future generations here, we need to make it happen.

2. The other opportunity unique to the Big Island is the possibility of increasing use of geothermal energy as a source of generating electrical power. Geothermal energy is very dependable and steady. It’s the most dependable source of renewable energy we have available on the Big Island. Let’s use more of it, now!

Our electrical utility HELCO is tasked with providing us dependable and inexpensive electrical power. They also have an obligation to give their investors a fair rate of return. They have a two-part problem.

Electricity usage decreases with lower economic activity, yet they need more electricity sales to generate income for their investors. How about increasing the use of electric vehicles to increase sales for HELCO? Simultaneously, we can utilize as much geothermal energy as possible to stabilize the cost of electricity and make our electric grid more dependable.

It takes energy to get energy. The energy left over, after we use some to grow our food, gives us our lifestyle. We in Hawaii can look forward to a good lifestyle if we switch to renewable sources for our energy. And geothermal gives us the best opportunity to maximize all the renewable resources we have available to us.

By supporting the TMT and Geothermal Energy here, we could have good jobs, good education and dependable, reasonably priced energy. As we face an uncertain future, this would not be such a bad outcome!