DHHL to hold public meetings on statewide geothermal energy exploration

KAPOLEI (HawaiiNewsNow) — The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will hold a series of public meetings this summer on plans to explore geothermal energy statewide.

DHHL held a mock meeting Monday in Kapolei to prepare for unveiling the plans to the public. The agency wants to explore 12 potential sites for geothermal energy on its land from Hawai’i island to Maui County, O’ahu and Kaua’i.

Preparing for pushback

Kali Watson, chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, said the agency is expecting pushback.

“I think part of the pushback is the lack of understanding. People don’t realize there is new technology now,” Watson said.

“When you look at these assets, the energy from Pele as well as the water that we are trying to convert that to an asset which will really help our beneficiaries,” Watson said.

This is the second mock meeting DHHL has had to fine tune its message. Nine geothermal public meetings are planned across the state this summer as close as possible to the potential sites.

Financial projections

Project leaders say DHHL spends $32 million per year on electricity costs for 11,000 homesteaders. It would cost $6 billion to get 29,000 people off its waitlist, and geothermal would provide more economic sovereignty and the ability to deal with higher energy costs.

“We need revenue streams and there’s a variety of benefits that geothermal provides, but more importantly we want to be at the forefront rather than be a passive observer,” Watson said.

Project leaders say the cost to build a facility would be $150 million. Annual revenue would be $40 million, and yearly profits could reach $26.5 million.

Russell Ka’upu, DHHL property development agent, said if the agency is able to produce electricity and put it into the grid, it wants to make affordable energy available to that area, district or island.

Maori model

Maori leaders from Aotearoa say they bought the rights to own their own geothermal reservoir and now control its assets.

“We actually bought the rights to develop it ourselves. We bought the rights to access it ourselves,” said Mana Newton of Tauhara North No. 2 Trust.

Meeting schedule

The public meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, May 18, 6 p.m., Kanikeha Community Center, Ho’olehua, Moloka’i
• Friday, May 22, 6 p.m., Kahikinui Community Center, Kahikinui, Maui
• Saturday, May 23, 10:30 a.m., Hana High School, Wākiu, Hana, Maui
• Wednesday, May 27, 6 p.m., Keaukaha Elementary School, Humu’ula, Upper Pi’ihonua, Pu’ukahu, Kawaihae, Hawai’i island
• Friday, May 29, 6 p.m., Na’alehu Community Center, Kama’oa, Pu’u’eo, South Point, Hawai’i island
• Friday, June 12, 6 p.m., DHHL Kapolei, Lualualei, Wai’anae, Valley, O’ahu
• Monday, June 15, 6 p.m., Waimānalo Community Center, Waimānalo, Ha’ikū, Waiahole, O’ahu
• Friday, June 19, 6 p.m., Kapa’a Elementary School, Upper Wailua, Kaua’i