The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday approved the allocation of $293,760 for a study on the impact of geothermal development on Native Hawaiians. The request, which taps Hawaii County’s geothermal asset fund, came from geothermal critics and others who say the state’s indigenous population has been ignored during discussions surrounding the contentious issue. Michael Edelstein, an environmental psychologist identified by claimants Puna Pono Alliance, Pele Defense Fund, Sierra Club-Moku Ola Group, Ohana Hoopakele and Malu Aina will conduct the study. In two 4-0 votes, the commission approved the funding request and directed the county Planning Department to help draft a plan for a Native Hawaiian Health Study Review Board, also requested by the claimants. According to the funding request, Edelstein will “conduct a baseline and prospective psycho-social impact assessment on the Big Island of Hawaii in order to identify both past, existing and potential adverse impacts upon Native Hawaiians associated with the development of geothermal energy generation facilities.” It’s not clear when the study will begin. During testimony, several speakers said the tapping of underground heat sources has a real impact on Native Hawaiian culture and religious practices, which revere the volcano goddess Pele. Ronald Fujiyoshi, a pastor with Olaa First Hawaiian Church and treasurer of Ohana Hoopakele, said those cultural views should not be dismissed. “I have come to see all religions as equally valid,” he said, adding a study would highlight impacts “not known to many of us.” The most impassioned testimony came from Palikapu Dedman, who spoke unapologetically about what he says is an assault on his culture. “You know what this is? Cultural racism,” he told the commission. Dedman also addressed other grievances, including the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and settling of Hawaii by other peoples, and at one point referred to the commission as having foreign faces. “Why you stay?” he asked. “We never ask you to come.” Dedman balked at a request by corporation counsel to be more cordial, but was gracious following the decision. “I’m so proud,” Dedman said, referring to support from non-Hawaiians. “I’m glad for the solidarity through all these years.” A breakdown of the study’s cost was not provided at the meeting. The planning commission last year also approved spending $750,000 from the same fund for a three-year geothermal health study. A request for proposals regarding that study might be issued in the next two weeks, Clarysse Nunokawa, executive assistant to Mayor Billy Kenoi, said in an email. The account, intended to fund health and safety mitigation measures, has $1,215,266 following Thursday’s vote. The first study was recommended by a geothermal working group created to advise the county on how to address concerns about geothermal development. Tom Travis, a member of the working group and vice president of Puna Pono Alliance, acknowledged the group’s report did not address Native Hawaiian issues. He said the study approved Thursday will help fix that oversight. “I felt like we righted a wrong today,” he said after the meeting. Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald. - See more at: westhawaiitoday/news/local-news/commission-oks-study-funds-report-investigate-impact-geothermal-development-native#sthash.v2TbpbCu.dpuf
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:13:59 +0000
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