Geothermal “Psycho-Social Impact and Community Well-being study”

Please pass the word on this important meeting below and try to attend.  Mahalo.
Jim Albertini

Press Release for Immediate release Monday, Feb. 29, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Re: Do Hawaiian Lives Matter? Related to Geothermal Energy and Windward Planning Commission agenda for Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 10AM in Hilo at Aupuni Conference center

On Thursday, March 3, 2016 at approximately 10AM  the County’s Windward Planning Commission will deal with item #5 on their agenda.  Item #5 deals with a Geothermal “Psycho-Social Impact and Community Well-being study” that was passed unanimously by the Windward Planning Commission 14 months ago but has yet to be funded and initiated.
Community representatives, including Palikapu Dedman of the Pele Defense Fund, and representatives from Puna Pono Alliance, Ohana Ho’opakele, Malu ‘Aina and others intend to raise serious questions about why the delay?  Why hasn’t this study gone forward?  Why wasn’t it done 30 years ago when geothermal was being initiated.  Geothermal involves drilling into Pele, the goddess of the Volcano.  What are the Psycho-Social impacts to Native Hawaiians from drilling into their deity for energy and profits?  Do Hawaiian lives matter?  Is racism involved in this long delay at looking into impacts to the Hawaiian people?  Is there an attempt to stall this study so it doesn’t get done?   Who is holding it up?  And why?  Community groups want answers and want this study to go forward now!

Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org www.malu-aina.org