On Aug. 23, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald published an article about geothermal sites being developed on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property. It incorrectly identified myself as a principal of a Geothermal PIG (permitted interaction group) and incorrectly stated that I was a member of Waika Consulting. This reporting was false. I am not a consultant to Waika, but I am a supporter of renewable energy, including geothermal and hydrogen.
Hawaii cannot achieve renewable energy self-sufficiency in the immediate future. The development of geothermal renewable energy was proposed yeas ago, but culturally appropriate development was not pursued. Instead, political influence was pursued. The first site chosen was the sacred location of Kilauea. That failed due to native opposition, and millions of dollars later another site was selected, it was Wao Kele o Puna, Pele’s sacred forest. Over 1,000 people marched to oppose the site, and several kupuna were arrested and taken to jail.
The first geothermal plant was developed on private land. No other plant has ever been developed in Hawaii. Since that time, Hawaii Island residents have experienced numerous shutdowns, evacuations and incidents of closures due to toxic fumes allegedly due to outdated technology.
It’s time to recognize that Hawaiians and the public own geothermal energy, which is a mineral under Hawaii law. The old rubric — Hawaii develops its renewable geothermal energy to benefit private equity investors from abroad, and the pubic and native owners of the resource reap the highest electricity bills in the nation — is no longer acceptable.
It’s time for a change. This time around, Hawaiians should be directly involved. As owners of geothermal renewable energy resources, Hawaiians need to be at the equity table. Only then will we have the power to determine how development should proceed, where it should occur, and what technology should be used to ensure clean and safe energy for Hawaii and food security for our residents, Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian alike.
In addition, there are other critical concerns that need to be considered when geothermal development proceeds. Will government, including OHA and DHHL, utilize geothermal revenues as a dedicated revenue stream for affordable housing for residents? Will state and county players recognize that Hawaii Island will need and should receive a significant share of geo-revenues to fund development of our agricultural and pastoral resources for food security for our island and state in the future? Given the cost for construction, is it time to integrate a plan for the development of Hawaii Island’s basalt minerals for roads, bridges and other infrastructure needs in our state?
As County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy has noted, geothermal development would be a game-changer for the DHHL which has 29,000 Hawaiians living and dying on lists while they await their homestead award. DHHL has carried this burden since its inception. It’s time for the state Legislature to move forward with a renewable energy plan for the state.
I opposed geothermal development in the ’70s and ’80s because it was being pursued without the direct involvement of Hawaiians for foreigners with political connections in Washington, D.C., and because there was no benefit or consultation with Hawaiians.
The records also reflect that I supported geothermal development when it was proposed and developed by Hawaiians (Huena) who had a business model which ensured the development would be culturally appropriate, economically sustainable and socially responsible.
I supported that plan and also went to several communities on Hawaii Island and Maui doing community consultations and hosting workshops on a culturally appropriate model for Hawaii and Hawaiians. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
Mililani Trask is Hawaii Island trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.