An extraordinary dialogue began Wednesday night at UH-Manoa’s Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies as four Native Hawaiians spoke freely about renewable energy’s future in Hawaii.
The issue of Native Hawaiian rights and cultural practices runs through every discussion about expanding the state’s use of renewable energy. So it was fitting that Hawaiians working in renewable energy fields offer their perspectives.
Puna Geothermal Venture’s Michael Kaleikini was one of the four, along with execs in wind and solar and a supporter of the Pele Defense Fund.
So was “the empty chair,” place purposefully on stage by moderator and Hawaiian culture and sustainability guru Ramsay Taum, who said it “represents our ancestors and others…” Taum, who organized the forum as part of the Sakamaki Extraoardinary Lecture series at UH-Manoa.
Kaleikini of PGV on the Big Island talked about the first oil embargo when his grandfather switched license plates on his truck to be able to buy gas. He also reminded us that King David Kalakaua looked at how we could harness volcanic heat to generate electricity.
Geothermal production had a rough time getting started in Hawaii. “There was not a lot of outreach to the community back then,” Kaleikini said. Today, community relations are good, and the plant produces 30 MW of clean power.
“We look at geothermal energy as a gift to decrease our dependency on oil. We all believe that burning oil is not good…. Our first step is always to get feedback from the community. We do not hear much challenge at the local level but we do hear it at other levels,” Kaleikini said.
Noelani Kalipi spoke eloquently about her perspective as a Hawaiian working for a renewable energy company (First Wind), seeking ways to work with Native Hawaiians in one of the hardest places on the planet to get permits. First Wind was the first company in the nation to provide a native habitat for endangered species.
Davianna Pomaikai McGregor, a professor of ethnic studies at UH-Manoa, believes developing these natural resources is at odds with Native Hawaiian belief systems because these forces are considered deities. She said of Pele, the fire goddess, “’Join my dance if you want to dance, but all that is hot belongs to me.’”
Myron Thompson, owner of 21st Century Technologies (solar energy) recounted growing up in a Hawaiian household with Hawaiian values: what’s pono for everyone? We had it all, he said, “solar hot water, photovoltaics, gardens” all to “help achieve sustainable goals and help Hawaii and the planet survive long term.” He said his customers begin talking about finances but end up talking about their goals. Understanding the economic value, getting back to the environment and off oil is very important, he said.
Eying “the empty chair” Taum said that Hawaiian ancestors used a systems approach to environmental management, ahupua‘a. Their approach to understanding human relationships—was aloha.
