Tag Archives: Big Island

Iceland Rocks

August 5, 2011 Richard Ha 4 Comments

In the 1970s, the Icelandic people made a decision to use geothermal in a big way. The decision was made around the time of the “oil crisis.”

Now, 50 years later, you can see the results. More than 90 percent of their houses are heated by geothermal. The people are warm in their homes, and they don’t have to cut firewood.

Hawaii monitors for Hydrogen Sulfide much more than Iceland does. We were about 100 yards away when I took that video. You wouldn’t want to be right in the stuff, but no one seemed very concerned.

I have not seen one overhead utility line. Except for the heavy transmission lines, they are all buried underground.

Hawai‘i could be like this, too.

I’m standing on a black sand beach that stretches as far as you can see in both directions.

These would be perfect imu rocks! Very porous.

This next picture could have been taken somewhere on the Big Island.

The rocks in Iceland look like our rocks. It all comes from the same place.

The Icelandic folks have their electricity supply situation completely under control. They focused on affordable and renewable.

This is a small, camouflaged geothermal well that is used only for heating. It brings up heat from around 2,000 feet down and is piped to homes in the area. These are spread around the city and one hardly notices them.

Hydrogen is made on site using cheap electricity and water. This is still experimental.

And they take every opportunity to make multiple revenue streams. Think “exporting tomatoes using artificial light and heat from cheap geothermal.” And raising tilapia. We can learn a lot from these folks.

Roald Marth (left) and I met with Ambassador Luis E. Arrega (middle).

When Iceland transitioned to geothermal, they kept some of their old, oil-fired generating units in place. We drove by one yesterday and were told that in 50 years, they have never had to fire it back up.

(To be continued)

Catch up on the Icelandic Saga:

Part 1, Enroute to Iceland, With a Stop in New York

Part 2, Still in Iceland, Still in Shorts

Geothermal, Peak Oil, Sustainability

A Quandary At HELCO

June 27, 2011 Richard Ha 2 Comments

HELCO issued a Request For Information re: geothermal energy this week.

Although in my opinion Hawaiians are overwhelmingly in favor of geothermal, I am finding, as I ask around, that people are conflicted about HELCO’s intentions.

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), the parent company that owns Hawaii Electric Light Company (the Big Island’s HELCO) and the Maui Electric Company (MECO), readily acknowledges that it has a duty to protect the interest of its stockholders.

And when the interests of the stockholders and the interests of the people are in conflict, HECO’s loyalty lies with the stockholders.

That is at the heart of the problems they are having on Moloka‘i and Lana‘i. And it’s at the heart of the problems they deal with when facing the unprecedented future of rising oil prices.

Passing the cost and risk of Peak Oil, as a result of decoupling, straight through to the rate payers – the public – is not comforting to the people.

We need a new model here, one that lines up the needs of the people with the needs of the utility. We need a new model that transforms the utility into an economic driver, rather than an economic impediment. A new model that focuses on a better life for future generations.

People are very uncomfortable with the prospect of handing over, to future generations, a diminished life compared to what they had. We must do better.

There are a thousand reasons why no can. We need to find the one reason why CAN!

Canoe, History, Sustainability, Travel, Where We Live

Sailing On The Haunui

June 20, 2011 Leslie Lang 3 Comments

After writing here about the voyaging canoes that just arrived in Hilo from Aotearoa (New Zealand), I really wanted to go down to the bayfront yesterday to help welcome them.

There are seven voyaging canoes at Hilo Bay right now. They left Aotearoa in April, led by traditional-style navigators from around the Pacific, on a journey called Te Mana O Te Moana (The Spirit of the Sea). Their voyages, which are being filmed for a documentary, are being made to raise awareness about our ocean environment and the need to care for it.

And of course, their journeys celebrate the revival of traditional navigation.

The official welcoming ceremonies started yesterday morning. There were hakas by some of the voyagers, and speeches of welcome, and more.

Chad “Kalepa” Baybayan, Navigator-in-Residence at Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, told the crowd that Nainoa Thompson had called from Honolulu that morning, apologizing because he couldn’t be there. He’d been up all night with a sick child, and then just as day broke, his other child had woken up sick.

Nainoa Thompson, of course, is the master Hawaiian navigator who was at the very forefront of bringing back the long-lost art of traditional Polynesian navigation.

The seven vaka/wa‘a/canoes were lined up there in the bay, and seeing them there made me wonder how many times in the distant past there had been similar sights there. Many, I’m sure.

Lots and lots of people from the community came out to welcome the canoes, and all the local canoe clubs were there, and it was a neat place to be.

After awhile we left, but then a couple hours later we happened to drive past the bayfront again and I could see from Kamehameha Avenue that the wa‘a all had their sails unfurled. “Let’s go see what’s happening now!” I told my 7-year-old, and we turned in.

They were taking people out on the canoes, that’s what was happening. It was great!

We hopped in line and got to go for a sail around Hilo Bay on the Haunui, or “Big Wind,” as one of the crew members translated it. It’s the canoe that was crewed by people from several different island nations.

It turned out that Ka‘iu Kimura, executive director of the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, happened to come along for a ride at the same time as us, and we chatted for a bit. She’s going to be on one of the canoes when it leaves Hilo Tuesday. They will stop at a couple other islands and then she will continue with it until O‘ahu.

“Are you a canoe person?” I asked her, and she said no, not really, and then told me that she’d sailed with the Hokule‘a back when it voyaged to Japan. That was a month’s journey, and included her getting to meet her Japanese relatives she’d never met before. Wow! What a way to arrive.

We got to go down below on the canoe and see where they sleep. It’s such a small space. One of the crew members said he thinks the bunks must be 6’4” long, because when he lies down he touches both ends. And they are narrow, as is the walkway between.

The narrow walkway between the bunks is filled with jugs of fresh water, which you have to walk atop.

It was so great to get to see the wa‘a. “A once in a lifetime experience!” I overheard a man say into his cell phone, as he told someone about what was going on there.

I totally understood his enthusiasm, but you know what? It really wasn’t something we’re only going to see once. It’s happening a lot now. These and other voyaging canoes are moving around the oceans, and we will keep seeing them.

Traditional Polynesian voyaging, this method of wayfinding and journeying that originated with wise ancestors who lived long, long ago, is back and it’s strong. The new generations are learning it, in different places and on many different islands, and it’s not likely to be lost again.

Along with these skills of being able to find one’s way across a vast ocean without GPS, and not having to depend on oil, comes a lot of other strengths. It is such a positive thing.

And getting a glimpse of that yesterday – learning a little bit about what it looks like, feels like and smells like to sail through the water – was a wonderful experience.

It’s great to see that this traditional knowledge is alive and well; and also that it’s such an integral part of the fabric of Hawai‘i (and other Pacific island groups) again.

Geothermal

The World Has Changed: Big Island Supports Geothermal

June 8, 2011 Richard Ha

I’ve attended at least 10 organized group geothermal meetings on the Big Island within the last two years, and I have talked to numerous individuals.

It is my sense that an overwhelming majority of Hawaiians on the Big Island support geothermal.

It is also my sense that folks on O‘ahu have no idea that opinions have changed from 20 years ago.

I was directly involved with the Thirty Meter Telescope process. Many more people support geothermal than supported the Thirty Meter Telescope. And Robert Lindsey, Big Island OHA trustee, testified at an OHA hearing that it is his sense that the overwhelmingly majority of Hawaiians support the Thirty Meter Telescope.

The rubbah slippah folks here on the Big Island are well aware of the connection of oil prices to high electricity costs. And they are well aware that the folks on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder will get their lights turned off first – and too often they will be Hawaiians.

Everyone knows that geothermal is proven technology, cheap, gives off no emissions and occupies the smallest footprint. Those who don’t know it probably don’t live on the Big Island.

Geothermal, assuming it is developed in a pono way, is a right of the native people to have a better life for themselves and for future generations

Community, Contest, Hawaiian Role Models, Music, Where We Live

Merrie Monarch 2011

May 6, 2011 Leslie Lang 1 Comment

Hilo just finished hosting hula dancers and admirers from around the world at its annual Merrie Monarch hula festival.

It’s so great to see how Hilo comes alive for that Merrie Monarch week, which is held each year around Easter. The streets overflow with people, many of them Hawaiian, in their designer aloha wear, flower leis and lauhala hats. Everything that is good about the place — the people, the leis, the music, the dancing — is magnified and multiplied. It’s everywhere. It’s wonderful.

From Wikipedia:

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural festival that takes place annually in Hilo, Hawaii. It honors King David Kalākaua, who was called the “Merrie Monarch” for his patronage of the arts. He is credited with restoring many Hawaiian cultural traditions during his reign, including the hula. Many hālau hula (schools), including some from the U.S. mainland and Japan, attend the festival each year to participate in the festival exhibitions and competitions, which are considered the most prestigious of all hula contests. Read the rest

The hula always starts on Wednesday, with a free Ho‘ike (demonstration) night. Watch this year’s Ho‘ike highlights from Big Island Video News here, and some of Halau O Kekuhi’s dances from that night here. They are renowned, and what a treat to see them.

Some other videos from this year’s Merrie Monarch:

This is Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani, of Hilo (It’s their kahiko performance)

Chinky Mahoe’s Kawaili‘ula, from Kailua, O‘ahu (kahiko)

And there’s always a wonderful Merrie Monarch Parade through Hilo town. See some of that here: 2011 Merrie Monarch Festival Grand Parade

It’s never too soon to start thinking about attending Merrie Monarch the next year, if you’re interested. Mark your calendars: tickets are available to purchase by mail only, and your ticket requests must be postmarked on December 26 or later. (If they are mailed later, you might not get seats; it’s best if you email your request on 12/26 exactly.)

Ticketing info is not yet updated for the 2012 festival, but watch this space later in the year if you’re interested in knowing exactly how to order.

Geothermal

Geothermal In Alaska

April 27, 2011 Richard Ha

Alaska's cost of electricity is about 16 cents/kWh, which is nearly half the cost of electricity here on the Big Island.

Despite the fact that they have oil, they are looking at geothermal as a source of energy, as well. The main challenge there is that they have small populations and long transmission distances.

The Alaska Legislature set 1.75 percent as the royalty charge for the first 10 years, and 3.5 percent thereafter. That was probably what they thought the industry could bear under their economic conditions.

In Hawai‘i, our royalty charge is 10 percent.

From Alaska Business Monthly, April 1, 2011:

Geothermal heats up: developing Alaska's steamy resources

…Alaska legislators last session passed a bill sponsored by State Sen. Lesil McGuire, which established a 1.75 percent royalty obligation for gross revenues derived from the production, sale or use of geothermal resources under a lease during the first 10 years immediately after the geothermal resource first generates gross income. After that first 10 years, the royalty obligation would rise to 3.5 percent of the gross revenues. The bill also transferred authority from the Department of Natural Resources to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission over permitting and inspection of geothermal wells, and provided for a regulatory cost charge for geothermal wells. The bill, signed into law, took effect July 1, 2010….

Read the rest here

Community, Geothermal

Pahoa Holds a Forum on Geothermal

April 11, 2011 Richard Ha

I attended a geothermal energy forum at the Pahoa Community Center on Saturday, and the seats were all taken.

Pat Brandt is CEO of Innovations Development Group, which hosted the forum

This article, which ran in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser the day before the forum, gives some background:

Forum on geothermal energy to include Hawaiian leaders

By Alan Yonan Jr.

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 08, 2011

A Honolulu-based company that has developed geothermal energy projects on Maori trust lands in New Zealand will lead a community forum on the Big Island tomorrow to discuss the pursuit of geothermal energy there.

Innovations Development Group, which specializes in socially responsible development, said the forum will include presentations by six native Hawaiian leaders who will offer their views on how development of geothermal energy can be done in a way that protects cultural and resources…. Read the full article here

By my quick count, I would say 60 people attended.

I was there to hear people’s points of view, and there were many. I was very encouraged because we had the opportunity to talk story and bridge gaps. The overriding sentiment, which I heard over and over, was that we were talking about benefits to the community – not just the Hawaiian community but the whole community!

This made me very happy. It is truly about all of us!

The second thing that rose to the top was that we could have moved further forward if not for a historical lack of transparency. For example, 10 percent of geothermal revenues right now are royalties paid to the state of Hawai‘i, and 50 percent of that goes to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. People ask: How is that money used? There is no answer, though, because it merely goes into a general fund.

The same question is raised about the 20 percent that goes to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Where exactly does it go? No answer. To the credit of OHA Trustee Robert Lindsey, he knows this is unacceptable and has said that it needs to be fixed.

People also want to know why geothermal is available on the Big Island, and yet we have the highest electric rates in the state. How come? Had the utility been more transparent about its cost structure, this would not be an issue. But the people are often told, “We cannot tell you the cost; it is proprietary information.” That just breeds distrust. People feel that transparency should be the trade-off for having a monopoly!

Wally Ishibashi and I agree wholeheartedly. We were joint chairs of the Geothermal Working Group, and agreed that we would make the process transparent. We know about people’s concerns.

Moanikeala Akaka was there. She is a community watchdog, and told the IDG people, “I have not made up my mind. You guys may be Hawaiian developers, but I’m watching you, too.” I’m glad she’s watching. There’s nothing to hide.

A young girl had the most impact on me. She said, “We need to move on. I worry about the world my daughter will grow up in. I don’t want to come back here 20 years from now and be having the same discussion.”

That was a very powerful statement and I feel it resonated with everyone there. And that’s what makes things very hopeful.

People do know that “one day the boat not going come.”

This was a heavy-duty meeting, and I will be writing more about it in the coming days.

Current Affairs, Where We Live

Tsunami on the Big Island

March 11, 2011 Richard Ha

What a night it was last night. We are so fortunate and grateful that the tsunami generated by Japan’s 9.1 earthquake did not take any lives here in Hawai‘i, and that damage was light. It could have been so much worse.

Were you prepared for the sudden emergency? The 4.6 earthquake that hit the Big Island while we waited for the tsunami to make its way across the ocean sort of underscored the need to be prepared.

Our best wishes to those in Japan, where they were not as fortunate.

Alan Wong, Community, Food Security, Sustainability

Foodland, Farming & Future

March 9, 2011 Richard Ha

We went to a great luncheon recently, on O‘ahu at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, which was sponsored by Foodland and the Hawaii Society of Business Professionals. It was titled “The Next Steps in Farm to Table.”

Foodland is a great friend of local agriculture.

From the Foodland blog:

Why Eat Local?

by Veronica the Visionary on February 21, 2011 / 11:48 AM

Did you know that if Hawaii were hit by a natural disaster, we would only have only two to three weeks supply of food – and that’s not considering that people would begin hoarding the minute that fear of the disaster hit! In the aftermath of a frenzy of people buying all they could, Hawaii’s food supply could last only a few days! I was shocked to hear that on Thursday at a luncheon our company sponsored called “The Next Steps in Farm to Table.” Hosted by the Hawaii Society of Business Professionals, the lunch featured a panel of restaurateur Alan Wong, local farmer Richard Ha, and master sommelier Chuck Furuya. We were excited to be asked to sponsor the event because we are passionate about the importance of buying local and have great respect for the three speakers and all they have done to promote local producers.

The event was entertaining and educational. Alan shared that if our community just increased its purchases from local farmers by 10%, this would result in an incremental $94 million for our farmers and an additional $188 million in sales for our economy. Without question, supporting local farmers is good for our ENTIRE community. As Richard put it, “Food security has to do with farmers farming. If farmers make money, they farm.” In other words, if we buy more local produce, farmers can afford to farm more and we will be less dependent on outside sources of food – and contribute to a healthy economy in our state. Read the rest

Here’s June sampling some of Chef Keoni Chang’s creations, which he made with Hamakua Springs tomatoes. Keoni is Foodland’s Chef-in-Residence.

“Hamakua Springs Salsa,” which is found in all Foodland supermarkets, is Chef Keoni’s creation. It’s my favorite tomato salsa by far.

Geothermal

About Geothermal Operations & Safety Concerns

February 14, 2011 Richard Ha 1 Comment

There have been questions about general safety issues regarding geothermal. I asked Mike Kaleikini, Puna Geothermal Venture’s (PGV) Operations Manager, what safety requirements exist that PGV must comply with.

Here are some of the requirements that exist today:

County

GRP – Geothermal Resource Permit, which in general is a land use permit. The GRP does, however, require many safety-related requirements. If an upset situation occurs at PGV (such as a release of steam with hydrogen sulfide), PGV is required to notify the County (Civil Defense, Fire & Police). Operations personnel are trained to respond to the potential upsets. If the upset condition had the potential to impact nearby residents, Civil Defense, Police and Fire personnel would be involved.

LEPC – Local Emergency Planning Commission. This is an entity required by State’s Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response department. The group is made up of Civil Defense, Fire, Police, Industry and community representatives. PGV participates as an industry representative.

State

HIOSH – Hawaii State Occupational Safety and Health has jurisdiction over the facility. PGV is required to comply with all applicable Safety regulations…..just like other industrial facilities (like HELCO, etc.). HIOSH has general duty safety oversight of the facility. They have had inspections and expect to have more in the future.

DOH – Department of Health has a host of different departments that oversee safety at the PGV facility. All aspects of safety are covered in the numerous required permits for the PGV facility.

*Clean Air Branch – Noncovered Source Permit (NSP) regulates all aspects for air quality from our facility. This includes noise, hydrogen sulfide and any other potential emissions.

*Safe Drinking Water Branch – Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit regulates all injection fluids and protects the ground water source at the location.

*Noise and Radiation Branch – Responsible for regulation noise at the facility location. Permitted noise levels are included in the NSP permit.

*Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response Department – Responsible for regulating emergency response requirements at the facility.

DLNR – Department of Land and Natural Resources oversee the geothermal resource at the PGV site. A DLNR representative is always on site when drilling is in progress. This is for regulating all drilling activities as they occur. Safety and compliance with DLNR rules is of the priority when drilling. DLNR also has general duty responsibility for overall safety at the facility.

Federal

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 has several different departments with regulatory oversight of the PGV facility.

*Safe Drinking Water – Underground Injection Control (UIC). This is a redundant regulatory oversight of the PGV facility.

*Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Section – coordinated by Mike Ardito, who recently (July 2010) inspected PGV and found PGV to be in compliance.

There are several other federal safety mandates that PGV must comply with. There is a Risk Management plan, a Hazardous Waste Operator Response standard, and others.

Several of the above entities also require a facility Emergency Response plan.