Improving Collaboration Between Native Hawaiians and Energy Professionals to Explore Geothermal Energy Potential in Hawai‘i

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2024-05-08

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Climate change is threatening vulnerable islands like Hawaiʻi, posing major economic and social risks. The development of renewable energy in Hawaiʻi offers the possibility for energy independence and improving Hawaiʻi’s overall carbon footprint. Geothermal energy is one renewable energy source with promising possibilities to contribute to Hawaiʻi’s 2045 goal to transition to 100% renewables. Geothermal is a firm renewable energy option available in Hawaiʻi for the foreseeable future. However, geothermal development consistently faces opposition from the Native Hawaiian community, stemming from Hawaiian cultural identity and beliefs that natural resources are akua (Gods). Volcanic resources are the kinolau (physical form) of the goddess Pele. Throughout Hawaiʻi’s history post overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Native Hawaiians have been marginalized by government officials and developers making it difficult to receive recognition in western decision making processes that overlook the cultural implications of development. This capstone project explores how to improve collaboration between Native Hawaiians and decision-makers for geothermal energy development. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals from three groups; (1) Native Hawaiians community members, (2) Native Hawaiian geothermal professionals, and (3) non-native geothermal professionals. Interviews focused on the current status of geothermal development, participant feelings towards geothermal, perceived obstacles, knowledge gaps and recommendations to improve future geothermal and other renewable energy developments in Hawaiʻi. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify similarities and differences in responses. Findings include six key themes. 1) shared understanding of the need for renewable energy in Hawaiʻi, (2) primary obstacles facing geothermal are not cultural opposition, (3) reasons for support of geothermal, (4) cultural implications of geothermal, (5) need for improved dialogue and rebuilding trust between Native Hawaiians and government, (6) improvement of social justice for affected communities. However, there is still much work that needs to be done to fill current knowledge gaps and rebuild the trust that has been lost to improve future geothermal energy efforts.

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Presentation slideshow and written report

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Geothermal, Renewable Energy, Native Hawaiian, Collaboration, Hawaii, Climate change, Natural Resources, Indigenous

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20

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Creative Commons

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Kamanā, Noa

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