Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 8, 1 August 2013 — Geothermal: Everyone benefits [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Geothermal: Everyone benefits

Onee again we are seeing the spectaele of some Native Hawaiians opposing those who are trying to build a better future for all. As trustees, we expect to have our feet held to the fire. But those who are trying to start a firestormover OHA's decision to participate in geothermal development ignore the reality of our lives. I understand that reality. My

roots in the community run deep. I have lived on Maui for many years. My ancestors were cowboys on the Parker Ranch in Waimea. As a child, I started singing at Waimea LDS Church. After working first for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, then Governor Burns' office, I moved to Maui, where I issued and enforced permits for land development during the day - and sang my heart out at night. I am happy to say that I was one of the six trustees to cast a vote for geothermal development. It was a vote for family - and for the future. ENERGY SOVEREIGNTY: GEOTHERMAL WILL HELP ACHIEVE IT Every year we send more than $5 billion to offshore oil companies. We rely on imported oil for 75 percent of our electricity and transportation needs. Why are we doing this when we are blessed with so many forms of renewable energy? Here in Hawai'i, the average cost per kilowatthour in March 2013 was 37.46 cents while people in Idaho paid 8.46 cents. People on Hawai'i Island feel the pain the most. Geothermal is the only firm power source that could replace oil and give us our energy sovereignty. If the naysayers have a better plan, we at OHA have not heard it. FIRM POWER - AND EOONOMIO DEVELOPMENT By voting to invest in Hu'ena Power, the development arm of Innovations Develop-

ment Group (IDG), we took a very big step toward reducing our dangerous dependence on oil. Geothermal development also means jobs for our children and lower energy costs for small businesses and farmers. It's disgraceful that we have not done more sooner. Families should not have to choose between feeding their children and keeping the lights on because of our addiction to oil. For years now, we have been held hostage to prices set by

OPEC, the oil cartel. We speak often about "sovereignty." Let's not forget food and energy sovereignty. According to a 2008 report co-published by the Oakland Institute, a think tank, only when people have a role in how their natural resources are used ean they have the "ability to freely pursue their eeonomie, social and cultural development, and to determine their polkieal status." Everyone needs to get better educated about the issues. It isn't enough to talk about our sovereignty if we aren't willing to engage in the fight to secure it. Our geothermal resources will get developed. Native Hawaiians should ask themselves: Would we prefer that it be deveīoped by some company from afar or do we have the wisdom to recognize leaders in our midst? I am proud of OHA' s decision to heeome engaged in developing Tūtū Pele's gifts. I have attended the meetings that Innovations Development Group has held to listen to community concerns and explain its model for development. The IDG team includes people who have lived through the protests of the past; who have fought for the community. I trust them to protect our interests more than I would trust an offshore entity. They know that their actions will affect their children as mueh as yours or mine. Those who attack OHA for voting for geothermal development need to ask themselves: Can I justify denying my children their energy sovereignty? ■

Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Trustee, Maui