Powering our Island

With the gusting winds off the slopes of the Kohala Mountains and Mauna Kea, the ocean currents along the coast of Kawaihae and the plentiful sunlight throughout our island home, Hawaii Island has the resources to power our homes and businesses with cleaner new-generation renewable energy.

Yet even with access to these natural resources, 90 percent of our energy comes from imported petroleum, costing the State of Hawaii $5.7 billion in 2015; that’s over $4,000 for every person living in the state.  With these truths, we live in the most oil-dependent state in the country. I have four children. I also have numerous nephews and nieces; some are the children of my siblings while many are the children of very close friends that I grew up with. I think of all of them and what the outlook for their future in Hawaii might be.

How is our energy dependency responsible to our environment, to our children or our children’s children? 
 
We must work hard to change these paradigms.  Not only does it take a toll on the lands we have been charged to steward, but it is also impacting families like yours and mine. 

It’s time we do better to malama ‘āina.

Our heavy dependence on imported oil and the isolated nature of our islands’ electrical grid systems makes for the highest electricity prices in the nation.  Families across Hawaii Island are finding expensive electricity bills when we could be powering our community in our own backyard with a more affordable price tag. 

The people of Hawaii Island have access to cleaner energy sources and the determination to build a more self-reliant and stronger Hawaii County.  

It’s time we do better to malama ‘āina. Members of the Council must come together to find a viable path forward that lowers our dependence on oil.  In doing so, we can lower the costs to power our homes and businesses, preserve the lands we are fortunate to call home, and build a stronger future for our keiki.  I’m ready to get my Rubber Boots on the Ground and build a self-reliant and energy independent Hawaii Island for the residents of District 9.  I hope you are too.

Sources:

• http://www.hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu/programs-initiatives/clean-energy-metrics/online/2-sobering-reality/1-oil-dependence.html
  
• https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.cfm?sid=HI
• https://hawaiienergy.com/about/get-the-facts
• http://energy.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/EnergyFactsFigures_Jan2013.pdf