Aʻole LNG for Hawaiʻi: Resources and Perspectives
Expert Analyses and Perspectives
Below are a collection of presentations from third-party energy experts and environmental advocates that highlight the various concerns regarding the state’s pursuit of LNG and partnership with Japanese methane supplier, JERA.
Honolulu Climate Commission (HCC) LNG Presentation— Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Director and Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis’ Energy Data Analyst present environmental concerns to HCC., followed by an economic focused presentation by University of Hawaiʻi Professor, Michael Roberts and Dr. Matthias Fripp. (February ‘26) Click here to watch.
EEP and HSH Joint Public Hearing on HB1568 (LNG Ban Bill)— Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute, JERA, and State Energy Office answer committee members’ questions on LNG. (Feb ‘26). Click here to watch.
State House Informational Briefing— Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection (EEP)- Presentation given by Mark Glick of Hawaiʻi State Energy Office on their alternative fuels study with an analysis of the study by Dr. Matthias Fripp, Director of Global Policy Research, Energy Innovation. (March ‘26) Click here to watch.
No. 34 Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board Meeting— JERA representatives present their LNG proposal and take questions from board members and public. (July ‘26) Click here to watch.
Funders Hui Learning Conversation on LNG— Opportunity to hear from Richard Rocheleau of the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute and engage in discussion about the economic considerations, tradeoffs, and questions surrounding LNG in Hawaiʻi. (September ‘26) Click here to watch.
Press Releases and Articles:
Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Leader Statement on Censorship, Expulsion from JERA “Open” House, August 6, 2026
Sierra Club Rings Alarm Over Governor’s Lack of Transparency in LNG Dealings, August 3, 2026
100% Renewable or Fossil Fuel Lock-in? WHY LNG IS A CRITICAL MISSTEP by GridLAB. Argues that the investments required for LNG infrastructure establishes a ‘lock-in’ effect, generating perverse incentives to delay renewable deployment. This paper proposes that a direct reallocation of capital toward renewable energy and storage offers a more financially robust and risk-averse pathway to the state’s electricity affordability and energy security goals.
The Clean Energy Future Hawaiʻi Can Actually Build: New TFIE Strategy White Paper by Michael Barnard, published in Clean Technica (April ‘26)
LNG Need Not Apply: The Math of Oʻahu’s Clean Energy Future by Michael Barnard, published in Clean Technica (March ‘26)
Community Voices: Op-eds, Articles, and Letters to the Editor
Hawaiʻi Canʻt Afford LNG by Bobbie Best. Civil Beat Op-ed (7/22/26)
Column: Green’s energy deal lacking on cost, safety and environment by Wayne Tanaka and Sherry Pollack. Honolulu Star-Advertiser (6/25/26)
Column: LNG price volatility too rich for isles by Robert Pearsall. Honolulu Star-Advertiser (5/12/26)
Hawaii’s Democratic governor faces blowback for embrace of LNG by Jason Plautz and Carlos Anchondo. Energywire (4/14/26)
LNG Agreement Is A Billion-Dollar Mistake by John Kawamoto, Civil Beat Op-ed (3/24/26)
Column: Governor’s LNG deal raises bevy of concerns by Wayne Tanaka and Sherry Pollack. Honolulu Star-Advertiser (11/9/25)