Dialogue Missing with Native Hawaiians re Energy

Ramsay Taum in HPR's studios for Energy Futures show.

Renewable energy developers who see great opportunities in the Hawaiian Islands had best prepare themselves to sit down with the Hawaiians. That’s the takeaway from today’s Energy Futures show on Hawaii Public Radio (archived here).

Quietly and without emotion, guests Davianna McGregor and Ramsay Taum made it clear it’s time to invite representatives of the host culture to a seat at the table. Too often discussions about developing Hawaii’s clean energy resources fail to include Native Hawaiians or accommodate their religious beliefs, they said.

We asked whether any dialogue exists between Native Hawaiians and Hawaii state government officials on these development issues and were surprised when McGregor, who joined the program from her home on Molokai, simply said "no." It’s hard to see how progress can be made without such a conversation in light of the opposition to some forms of energy development.

No on Geothermal Energy

The renewable technology that results in the proverbial line in the sand is geothermal energy. McGregor touched on some of the same themes she articulated at the Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture Series panel discussion last month. Geothermal energy exploration and development appears to be a non-starter for her and those in the Pele Defense Fund whom she represents.

Ocean and wind energy developers appear to have an easier path ahead based on comments in this show. McGregor’s concerns were more focused on ensuring environmental protection as those technologies are developed. Pele, the volcano goddess of the Native Hawaiian religion, is untouchable according to McGregor, but the deities of the wind and ocean were not mentioned in the same vein. (The archived file of this program can be found at the HPR website.)

Next Week

We’ll keep the focus on geothermal energy next week with guests Michael Kaleikini of Puna Geothermal Ventures and Senator Kalani English, vice chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, as we discuss what seems to be an irresolvable issue – the hope of geothermal energy adherents to expand the resource in the face of opposition by Native Hawaiian religion practitioners.

The August 3rd program will be “live” on KIPO-FM (89.3 in Hawaii) and also streamed on the Internet at 5 pm HST (11 pm EDT).

Next: Native Hawaiian Views on Renewable Energy

There is no single Native Hawaiian perspective on renewable energy development in Hawaii, of course, and there are probably as many views as there are members of the group. A much smaller sampling proved that point when a panel of several Native Hawaiians addressed this very issue in one of the Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture Series events last month.

Davianna McGregor, one of our guests on Monday’s Energy Futures, represented the view of the Pele Defense Fund's membership that geothermal energy is not a renewable resource for reasons we anticipate she’ll cover on Monday’s program. Ramsay Taum, our second guest, moderated the Sakamaki panel discussion and had a somewhat different perspective.

Both are well-known and highly respected members of both the Native Hawaiian and larger communities, and the discussion is likely to be thought-provoking -- especially for those who endorse aggressive development of Hawaii’s renewable energy resources.

The show will be “live” on KIPO-FM (89.3 in Hawaii) and also streamed on the Internet at 5 pm HST (11 pm EDT).

Knowing Where To Start in Cutting GHG Emissions

University of Hawaii economics professor Dr. Denise Konan

Dr. Denise Konan was the Energy Futures guest today and gave a preview of her Wednesday evening presentation at the University. A point made during today’s show was how truly tiny the renewable energy contribution is compared to to the totality of the state’s energy use. (This and other public affairs programs on Hawaii Public Radio are archived at HPR's website.)

The demand for aviation fuel – and the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transporting tourists to, from and between the Hawaiian Islands, as well as resident air travel – is off the charts. A revolution in energy use must occur to achieve Hawaii’s target of reducing GHG pollution to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

Dr. Konan lecture is part of the Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture Series, sponsored by the University of Hawaii’s Outreach College.

Next week’s Energy Futures show will examine Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy and is an outgrowth of another Sakamaki event – a panel discussion with the same title last month. Our sister blog – Hawaii Energy Options – has a post that sets the stage for next Monday’s show on Hawaii Public Radio.

Monday’s Show: Hawaii’s Biggest GHG Footprints

If Hawaii hopes to control its greenhouse gas emissions, knowing who’s laying down the carbon footprints is a must. Energy Futures will look at the who of it on Monday, July 20th when University of Hawaii economics professor Dr. Denise Konan is our guest.

Dr.Konan (pictured) will be on the show two days before delivering one of the Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture Series presentations Wednesday evening at the University of Hawaii, sponsored by UH’s Outreach College. She’ll report the findings of her study in a lecture titled “Energy and Greenhouse Gas Solutions for Hawaii’s Economy.”

Energy Futures will preview the study and search for insights when we talk with Dr. Konan, “live” at 5 pm HST (11 pm EDT) on KIPO-FM (89.3 in Hawaii) and also streamed on the Internet. We'll take your calls at 941-3689 on Oahu and 1-877-941-3689 from the neighbor islands and beyond.

Looking ahead to July 27th: Energy Futures' topic will be "Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy" with guests Davianna McGregor and Ramsay Taum.

Who Woulda Thot “How to Trash CFLs” Wld B Hot?

HECO's Robbie Alm, todays' guest on "Energy Futures."

When words fail us for the headline, we’re reduced to abbreviations and slang to get by -- like today. Yes, it’s true: More calls about CFL disposal came in today on Hawaii Public Radio’s “Energy Futures” show than any other topic. Ah, well…..

When he wasn’t answering questions about CFLs, Hawaiian Electric Company Executive Vice President took on the major energy issues facing his company; the show is archived at HPR's website. He even volunteered additional information in the hallway after the show about how to get rid of CFL bulbs; we’ll share it on next week’s program. If you want to hear what Alm said on substantive issues beyond the CFL topic, check in with HPR’s archives page – once the show is posted there.

Looking ahead, the July 20th show will feature Dr. Denise Konan and her description of the Hawaii economy carbon footprint profile – how to reduce it AND save power costs in the long run. The show will be “live” on KIPO-FM (89.3 in Hawaii) and also streamed on the Internet at 5 pm HST (11 pm EDT).

HECO Exec To Take Calls on 7/13 ‘Energy Futures’

Above the fold on page one is rarely where newspapers carry “good news” about a person or company. Today’s Honolulu Advertiser followed the pattern by giving not-so-good coverage to Hawaiian Electric Company and thereby may have spoiled breakfast for company executives.

The story covers delays in HECO’s payments to solar water heating installers to compensate them for the $1,000 rebates they paid customers as incentives to sign up for their services. The issue seems to have been resolved and won’t be a major topic on this week’s Energy Futures show on Hawaii Public Radio, Monday 7/13 at 5 pm HST on KIPO-FM (89.3) and streamed “live” on the Internet.

We’ll give our guest, HECO Executive Vice President Robbie Alm (pictured above), a shot at the top of the program to have his say. We’ll also want to ask him about the cap-and-trade approach to curbing carbon dioxide emissions and what it would mean to Hawaii’s electricity customers, as well as any number of other issues and topics.

Listeners can ask Alm questions by dialing 941-3689 from Oahu and 1-877-941-3689 from the neighbor island between 5 and 6 pm tomorrow.

'Energy Futures' Addresses Clean Energy Initiative, CFLs, Oil Tax and Solar while Taking a Few Calls

State Energy Administrator Ted Peck and Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter
Director Robert Harris were guests on the inaugural Energy Futures show.

The first broadcast of Hawaii Public Radio’s new public affairs program, Energy Futures, went off “live” at 5 today and ended 59 minutes later, much to the relief of the show’s host.

State Energy Administrator Ted Peck and Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter Director Robert Harris were in agreement on most issues but squared off on the proposed $1 per-barrel tax increase to fund energy initiatives and food security in the islands, among other purposes. Harris favors the tax and Peck’s position is pretty much determined by the Governor’s apparent opposition. She has signaled the possibility of a veto, in which case the Legislature is expected to try to override.

The half dozen calls to the program also were a relief, suggesting that at least six listeners had dialed into the new program – not counting relatives and loyal friends. We’re optimistic about the potential for the show to build an audience and are scheduling guests with that in mind.

The Next Program

Hawaiian Electric Company Executive Vice President Robbie Alm will be the sole guest on the July 13th show. HECO is likely to play a key role in virtually all future Hawaii energy scenarios; the company delivers electricity to about 95 percent of the state’s population.

Listeners can call with questions by dialing 941-3689 from Oahu and 1-877-941-3689 from the neighbor islands – and beyond, for that matter. The program is streamed “live” at Hawaii Public Radio’s website, so if you’re a mainland follower of Hawaii energy issues and have a question for our guest, we’d like to hear from you between 5 and 6 pm HST (11 pm EDT and 8 pm PDT).

Launching 'Energy Futures' -- a Weekly Radio Show On the One Issue that Affects Hawaii Most of All

It's July 4th, 2009 -- and some have declared it "Energy Independence Day for Hawaii." We're starting this blog to complement the energy-focused radio program that will launch in two days on Hawaii Public Radio. We'll use this site to promote upcoming shows, post photographs of our guests and highlights of the most recent show, as well as provide a link to the MP3 files of our archived shows.

The one-hour Energy Futures show will air Mondays at 5 pm HST (11 pm EDT, 8 pm PDT) on KIPO-FM (89.3) and will be streamed “live” on the Internet at HPR's website. If you care about energy issues in Hawaii and the state’s potential to reduce its dependence on imported fuel perhaps faster than any other in the Union, we invite you to become a regular listener no matter where you live. And don't stop there; call in to the program with your questions for our guests and comments on their contributions.

Show #1 is on July 6th, but the program's longevity will depend on what we at Hawaii Public Radio and you, our listeners, put into it. Be a part of helping decide Hawaii's energy future from among all the possibilities.

Aloha, Doug Carlson


(You're invited to become a follower of our companion Twitter site: @OurEnergyFuture.)