Food Security, Geothermal, Peak Oil

How Geothermal = Food Security

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Our “food security” is about farmers here in Hawai‘i farming. We know that Hawai‘i imports more than 80 percent of its food, and has only a seven-day supply of food on island at any one time.

Being more food secure means growing much more of our food here. How do we make that happen?

If farmers make money, the farmers will farm.

The cost of electricity cost is directly related to farmers farming or not. Farmers are price takers, not price makers. So as electricity costs go up for consumers, wholesalers and retailers, farmers’ prices necessarily go down and so do their profits.

We all know that world oil supplies will be declining and that petroleum prices are likely to be very high in the next few years, making fossil fuel-produced electricity rise very high in price.

Do you know what the most energy-intensive part is regarding getting our food? Surprisingly, it’s not the “on farm” energy usage. It’s the energy needed for the stop-and-go transportation of getting food to your home,  the cost of refrigeration during that journey and the cost to refrigerate your food once it’s at your home.

So what will help with food security?  Cheap electricity. On the Big Island, that means geothermal electricity.

Produced locally, it is the cheapest form of electricity here. For more than 15 years it has operated without subsidies, and it even earns money for the state of Hawai‘i—currently more than $3 million a year.

Cheap electricity will lower wholesaler and retailer operating costs and therefore leave more discretionary income in the pockets of consumers, and they will be able to buy local produce. It will result in less pressure on farmers to lower their prices beyond what is reasonable, and they will make decent livings and continue to farm. And we will have increased food security out here in the middle of the ocean.

If farmers make money, the farmers will farm!

Community, Peak Oil

Hawaiian Common(s) Sense

I was interested in this energybulletin.net article.

Elinor Ostrom Wins Nobel for Common(s) Sense
by Fran Korten

Fran: Many people associate “the commons” with Garrett Hardin’s famous essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons.” He says that if, for example, you have a pasture that everyone in a village has access to, then each person will put as many cows on that land as he can to maximize his own benefit, and pretty soon the pasture will be overgrazed and become worthless. What’s the difference between your perspective and Hardin’s?

Elinor: Well, I don’t see the human as hopeless. There’s a general tendency to presume people just act for short-term profit. But anyone who knows about small-town businesses and how people in a community relate to one another realizes that many of those decisions are not just for profit and that humans do try to organize and solve problems.
If you are in a fishery or have a pasture and you know your family’s long-term benefit is that you don’t destroy it, and if you can talk with the other people who use that resource, then you may well figure out rules that fit that local setting and organize to enforce them…. Read more

This is the Hawaiian way, and it’s the way we are trying to go. Common(s) sense is appropriate.

The world has changed in the face of Peak Oil. So that we will be relevant years from now, we are changing. I am turning our farm, Hamakua Springs Country Farms at Pepe‘ekeo, and the resources available to us – people, water, land and hydro power – into a commons of sorts.

We are bringing more and more farmers to work together with us for the common good.

Geothermal

What Works, Works!

In a complex world of finite resources and inertia of technological progress, sometimes we need to stop and take a breath and appreciate the simple things that work.

Take the garden hoe — it is hard to imagine technology improving upon its simple function.

Geothermal is one of those things that work.

Here’s an article about finite resources, and some of the implications:

Western governments may not realise it yet, but consumerism as we know it is doomed and resource war with China inevitable, the world’s biggest fund managers were told yesterday.

The unsettling message, which focuses on the potentially destabilising shortfall of the rare “technology metals” used in everything from mobile phones to guided missiles, was issued in Tokyo yesterday at the close of one of Asia’s largest annual investment forums.

Jack Lifton, an expert in rare earth metals, said that many of the green ambitions of governments around the world — particularly ones involving wind farms and other high-tech responses to climate change — would be thwarted by upstream supply issues.

Particularly troubling, he said, is an impending inflection point that may arrive within the next couple of years when China becomes a net importer of rare earth ores.”

Contest

And The Winner Is….

3 Comments

Here is the photo for our photo caption contest again:

Chickens

We have a 1st place winner, and three people who tied for second place.

Richard is a generous soul with a good sense of humor, and so he’s going to be packing up four boxes of fresh, delicious Hamakua Springs vegetables.

1st place:

  • Rodrigo Romo. “Listen up kids, you’re about to learn why we cross the road, remember, no one can know about this…..”

2nd place, a three-way tie (in alphabetical order):

  • Kanani Aton. “Gosh darned it, now where did I put those keys?”
  • John C. “If we all work together I think we can get into that Sweet-Sour Lemon Peel jar behind me.”
  • CTarleton. “Double Wing Right 35 Quick Trap – Go chicks!”

Each of you can pick up a prize box from Richard at the Kino‘ole Farmers Market any Saturday morning. Please let him know which Saturday you’ll be there, so he can have the box ready for you, by emailing him ahead of time at richard@hamakuasprings.com.

Congratulations to all that entered and thanks for the laughs! You guys are great.

Mauna Kea, Photography, Where We Live

Where We Live: A Pacific View’s Slideshow of the Big Island

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Richard ran across this slide show, by Tom of the blog A Pacific View, on Puna Web. The photos were so spectacular, Richard told me, he had to stop and send the link to June before he was even done viewing them.

"It's easy to forget what a special place the Big Island is," he told me. "Even Mauna Kea!" But you only have to look at these photos to appreciate where we live all over again.

Click to see the slide show:

A pacific view

– posted by Leslie Lang

Community, Hawaiian Role Models

Kaiu Kimura: Of the Next Generation of Hawaiian Leaders

Pacific Business News recently wrote about Ka‘iu Kimura: People Who Make Hawaii Work: Kaiu Kimura.

“Ka‘iu is representative of the next generation of Hawaiian leaders,” says Richard.

“I saw her defend her convictions at public hearings having to do with the Comprehensive Management Plan for Mauna Kea,” he says. “She is very strong, and it’s why I support her as strongly as I do. I could not be more proud of her.”

The Waimea-born and -reared Kamehameha Schools graduate is, at age 31, interim Executive Director of Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center.

I had a chance to speak with Ka‘iu the other day.

Q. When did you start at ‘Imiloa, and in what position?

A. It was the Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center then, in 2001. I was hired as a research assistant to help develop Hawaiian content.

Through the exhibit development phase, there were a lot of discussions, meetings, and focus groups with various community stakeholders and experts. It was a real educational process for me. For the first time, members of the Hawaiian, astronomy and business communities had to sit down and plan this center that was going to be for the general public, with a mission to really excite local youth about science and technology and the opportunities that exist here on the island. And also to talk about Mauna Kea and its uniqueness with all these different communities – particularly Hawaiian and Astronomy communities.

Q. What were the challenges?

Everybody had different ideas and different interpretations about what the center needed to be, and how to communicate to the community. It was valuable and difficult all at the same time. It got to be really challenging at the end.

In 2006, when we opened the doors, that was a major step. We’d made it through the planning stage and we had a product; something that came out of all that, because of the collaborative approach we took.

Q. What are you working on now?

I just came back last week from a conference in San Diego. It was about bringing Native American people together with scientists and the science center community.

We shared the process of how we built the center. You don’t have to divorce yourself from your culture or from your cultural values if you’re interested in pursuing science and technology. In fact, because you have those values and that cultural perspective, you can enrich the direction science is going. It made me realize more so that ‘Imiloa has a responsibility to take this kind of perspective to the science community.

I know there will always be a variety of opinions about any future development on that mountain. Many opinions won’t change; they’ll stay the same. But the goal is about relationship building. Coming to the table and saying what you need to say. To help educate both ways. Sharing with the community is about. The average person has been left out of that conversation in the past. The role of ‘Imiloa is to open up the conversation to more people.

It’s all a part of the education process. If people don’t understand about that mountain, and why it’s so revered and unique, then how can we say we’re all about educating the youth and getting them excited about science?

‘Imiloa is here because Mauna Kea is such a special place. I think it’s all about the kuleana thing. Go after your dreams and ambitions, but also understand the community you come from and the history, and know you have the kuleana to give back to it.

Q. What are your next goals?

Our big goal is to increase our attendance. We’ve had a wonderful growth in attendance. We average 53-55,000 people a year. Eighty-five percent are kama‘aina. That’s been great. Our challenge is, and will always be, to create fresh programs and activities and exhibits and planetarium shows to keep our kama‘aina people engaged and wanting to come back for more. That’s a major priority.

We also want to grow that 53-55,000. We want to double that. Our core mission will always be to inspire and excite the youth of Hawai‘i, our next leaders. And we’d also like to increase our offshore numbers, and impact the rest of the world. We think Hawai‘i can really serve as a strong model internationally.

Q. What would you like people to know about ‘Imiloa?

What is unique about ‘Imiloa is that it’s a result of massive collaborative effort of people in the community. I’m very, very aware we have a lot of work to do, and that there are a lot of ways to strengthen what we have. But I think it’s a very good first step to sharing the Hawaiian culture, and in bringing our culture together with science and in particular with astronomy.

‘Imiloa shares a great story of exploration. That’s what ‘Imiloa means: To explore, seek new knowledge, make new discoveries, new landfall. It’s a great place to come and learn about exploration, and how people in Hawai‘i have explored in the past, and how it continues today and for the future.

It’s unique to us here in Hawai‘i, but also, on a human level, every culture has histories and culture and innovation. It’s about tying those together with where we’re heading in the future.

Contest

It’s Another Caption Contest!

8 Comments

Remember our first caption contest? It was last April, and it was a kick.

Here’s another one.

And here are the details: Leave your caption in the comments to this post by Sunday, 2/28/10 at midnight. The winner will be announced in a blog post here on Monday, 3/1, and will receive a box of the freshest and tastiest Hamakua Springs produce. Having been the occasional recipient of one of those boxes, let me assure you that they are really wonderful.

You shouldn’t enter if you are a close family member of Richard’s or mine, because that just wouldn’t be right and no matter how funny you are, you won’t be selected as a winner. Other than that, we’ll read ’em and we’ll choose the one we like best. Straightforward.

Here’s the photo. Go to it!

Chicken

 

Food Safety Certification, Government

Nominated to the Board of Agriculture

1 Comment

Richard Ha
Re: Nomination to the Board of Agriculture

Dear Mr. Ha:

Congratulations on being nominated by Governor Linda Lingle to the Board of Agriculture. To assist the Senate with its confirmation process, I am requesting that the following information be submitted to my office:

A written statement that addresses the following questions:

Why do you wish to be a member of the Board of Agriculture?

I am very interested in food security for Hawaii and I hope to be able to make a contribution toward that goal.

How do you perceive the role and responsibilities of a member of the Board of Agriculture?

I see the role of a member of the Board of Agriculture as making responsible decisions on agriculture matters, taking a broad societal view of things. I specifically see the role as an opportunity to help make Hawaii more food secure.

I am an advocate for all kinds of farmers–large and small, organic and conventional, on all islands, all elevations, wet side and dry. Although we may be considered large farmers, I think it is very dangerous for food security to depend on a few very large farms.

Given your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a member of the Board of Agriculture, why do you believe that you are qualified for the position? Please include a brief statement of your skills, expertise, or knowledge that would aid in your decision-making ability as a member of the Board of Agriculture.

After getting a degree in accounting at the UH, I started growing bananas nearly 30 years ago. We had no money so we traded chicken manure for banana pulapula. Eventually, we became the largest banana grower in the state and bought 600 acres of fee simple land. The things that failed along the way could fill a museum. This experience was very valuable. I have a very high respect for wise old small farmers. And, like them, I try not to talk too much.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term of service?

I hope to bring awareness that Food Security involves farmers farming. And that if farmers make money, then farmers will farm. This is not complicated.

Name three qualities that best describe you and that would make you stand out. How would these qualities benefit the Board of Agriculture?

  1. I see myself as a bridge between the “shiny shoe” folks and the “rubbah slippah” folks.
  2. I have the ability to see a desired goal in the future and can stay focused on that goal.
  3. There are a thousand reasons why no can. I try to look for the one reason why CAN!! Keep it simple, keep it focused and no give up.

Name one previous experience that would make you stand out. How would this benefit the Board of Agriculture?

I helped with the Thirty Meter Telescope decision to site the telescope on Mauna Kea. I was able to talk to folks on all sides of the issue. I learned from Patrick Kahawaiola‘a that the process was most important. I thought that, that being the case, then everyone contributing to the process made for a better final product. That means we need to aloha everyone who contributed input, whether or not we agree with the position.

Two or three years ago, I told Kumu Lehua Veincent, Principal of Keaukaha Elementary School, that the Thirty Meter Telescopes wanted to come to the Big Island. I suggested that as a start we ask them for a good faith offer. I told Kumu, “How about we ask them for five full ride scholarships for Keaukaha kids, to the best schools in the nation?” Kumu looked up at me and simply said: “And what about the rest?” I could feel my ears getting hot. I felt pretty stupid. Indeed, what about the rest.

These two lessons, “the process” and “what about the rest?” are principles I hold very close to me. And I think that this approach will benefit the Board of Agriculture.

Can you foresee any possible conflicts of interests that could arise during your service on the Board of Agriculture? How would you overcome any possible conflicts of interest?

I do not see conflicts of interest at this point. However, I will quickly recuse myself if I do.

Your prompt response in providing the above information will ensure that the Senate confirmation process can proceed in a timely manner. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Senator Clayton Hee
Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs

Peak Oil

Peak Oil’s Real Symptoms

Peakoil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gail Tverberg, who I’ve written about here before, has a good article at www.ngoilgas.com about “the real symptoms of Peak Oil.” It starts like this:

Most people expect high prices to be an indication of “Peak Oil”, but are we missing the real symptoms?
 Our resident expert and one of the editors of The Oil Drum, Gail Tverberg takes a look at what she believes to be the more important symptoms of the arrival of peak oil.

If I were to ask 10 random people what they would expect to be a sign of the arrival of “Peak Oil,” I would expect all 10 to say “high oil prices.”

Let me tell you what I think the symptoms of the arrival of peak oil are:

1. Higher default rates on loans

2. Recession

Furthermore, I expect that as the supply of oil declines over time, these symptoms will get worse and worse – even though people may call the cause of the decline in oil use “Peak Demand” rather than “Peak Supply.”

Let’s think about what happens when oil prices try to increase. From the perspective of a consumer who is already spending pretty much all of his income, it seems to me the result is something like this…

Read more

Geothermal, Government

The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Steering Committee and Me

Because of my agriculture background and my interest in energy matters, I was invited to become a member of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Steering Committee. I am hopeful that this committee will be able to make significant governmental recommendations.

I believe in implementing proven technology. I believe in Research and Development. But I also realize that “hoping” is not an energy policy.

I believe in implementing processes that result in the lowest cost to rate payers. To the extent that this results in a competitive advantage to Hawai‘i, it will encourage businesses to flourish. On the Big Island, geothermal is clearly the low cost solution for the electrical utility. We must find ways to make it happen.  Not, no can. CAN!

The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) was launched on January 28, 2008 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

The goal: To put Hawai‘i on a path to supply 70 percent of its energy needs with clean energy by 2030.

“…The Department of Energy will help Hawaii lead America in utilizing clean, renewable energy technologies.” – Governor Lingle

“Hawaii’s success will serve as an integrated model and demonstration test bed for the United States and other island communities globally…” – Assistant Secretary Karsner