Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 9, 1 September 2013 — Developing geothermal: It's our kuleana [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Developing geothermal: It's our kuleana

The recent release of the draft geothermal health and safety report has prompted what I ean only describe as high anxiety disconnected from hard reality. The reality is we pay the highest rates for power in the nation. If we do not do something about this we will condemn our children and orandchildren to livex of

increasing desperation. It is easy to rage about past wrongs. But how mueh better off we could be if we take the lessons of the past and do something about the future. It is our kuleana to embrace this challenge. Fears should not pass for science The draft geothermal report conflrms that the community has its worries about health and safety. It is also clear that we have not tracked community health and environmental impacts in a way that allows us to draw flrm conclusions. The report tells us that "Puna's public health proflle is unclear," that "health studies are needed" and that "geothermal operations carry health risks." We ean all agree with those statements. We ean also agree with the recommendations to establish health and safety benchmarks; to invest in better monitoring and the study of impacts from geothermal development; to eall on expert resources and to ensure ongoing communication with the eommunity. Whatever we do, we should not let fears pass for science. Some say that it is "not our responsibility to do something about energy." Well, if we don't take ownership for how we address our energy needs, others will. And years from now we will be hearing the same complaints. Tūtū Pele has left us a legacy that we should use in a sustainable, safe way for the beneflt of all. Geothermal is the only FIRM power option to oil. None of the other renew-

able energy resources ean compare to geothermal as a substitute for imported oil. Geothermal development: Giving Native Hawaiians a seat at the table My fellow OHA trustees and I have been impressed with what one Native Hawaiian eompany, Innovations Development group (IDG), has done in preparing to develop geothermal in a elean snstainable wav That is

why a super majority of OHA trustees voted to take an equity stake in Hu'ena Power, the development arm of IDG. We were impressed with the conversations that the IDG team conducted all over the state. We were impressed with the kind of leading edge technology partners and capital they have attracted. We were impressed that they are already engaged in developing geothermal on behalf of indigenous communities in New Zealand, a country known for its environmental safeguards. By taking a stake in Hu'ena Power, we gave Native Hawaiians a bigger role in shaping our energy future. We are very lucky that there is a Native Hawaiian company poised to offer strong representation at the table during the next phase of geothermal development. No foreign company will feel for, or act on behalf of the eommunity the way IDG and its team of partners ean, and will. The IDG team consists of veterans of the flght for Native Hawaiian rights. They have homes and 'ohana right here to worry about - just like you and me. What better assurance ean we have that they will act in a way that is culturally respectful, and that protects the well-being of the community? It is time to get out of the trap of thinking only in terms of the past. It's our kuleana to work together to ensure our energy independence and our ehildren's future by using the great gift left to us by Tūtū Pele. ■

Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. Trustee, Hawai'i