Improving Collaboration between Native Hawaiians and Professionals to Explore Geothermal Energy Potential in Hawaii
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2023-05-09
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Climate change is greatly affecting small island nations like Hawaiʻi. The threats created by climate change such as rising sea levels pose great economic and social risks to vulnerable islands like Hawaiʻi. The development and expansion of renewable energy sources in Hawaiʻi offers the promise of energy independence as well as lessening Hawaiʻi’s overall carbon footprint. Geothermal energy is just one renewable energy source with promising possibilities. Past studies and research into Geothermal resources in Hawaiʻi has shown its capability to contribute to Hawaiʻi transitioning to 100% renewables and achieving the 2045 goal which was set in 2008. Geothermal also presents Hawaiʻi with a renewable energy option that is not condition dependent like that of solar and wind power. However, geothermal has been met with continued opposition from the Native Hawaiian community stemming from Hawaiian cultural identity and beliefs that natural resources are Kūpuna (ancestors) and not just simply resources. Throughout Hawaiʻi’s history, government officials and developers have often excluded and not collaborated with Native Hawaiians on large projects including those that explore Geothermal energy across the island chain. The marginalization of Native Hawaiians has created barriers that make it difficult to receive recognition in current decision-making processes and environments. Current processes are built upon Western ideals and overlook the cultural implications of a decision. Improving the collaboration that occurs between Native Hawaiians and decision-makers on these policies and projects is the necessary first step if achieving geothermal energy expansion in Hawaiʻi is the goal. Interviewing individuals from the energy sector, government, and Native Hawaiian community is one way that knowledge gaps and barriers can be identified so that solutions may be developed to improve future geothermal and other renewable energy developments in Hawaiʻi.
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Geothermal, Renewable Energy, Native Hawaiians, Collaboration, Hawaii, Climate change, Natural Resources
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11 pages
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In Copyright
Rights Holder
Kamanā, Noa
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