Webinars Recap: "Climate Action vs Greenwashing" and "Uē ka lani: Red Hill’s Water Crisis and the Fight for a Livable Future in Oceania"
In the face of a rapidly heated and destabilizing climate, the fight for a just and healthy future for present and future generations couldn't be more critical. As our window to take drastic action against immediate threats to our resources and habitable planet requires a clear-eyed view of genuinely sustainable solutions. Last month, we were honored to co-host two critical webinar panels that tackled these very challenges head-on, exploring the defense of our `āina and wai (water) and the need to distinguish real climate action from false promises that could offer more harm than good.
These conversations, “Uē ka lani: Hawaiʻi’s Red Hill Water Crisis” and “Climate Action vs. Greenwashing,” brought together community leaders, advocates, and experts. We are excited to share a recap of the powerful insights and urgent calls to action that emerged
Unmasking False Solutions: The "Climate Action vs. Greenwashing" Panel
Our September 20th webinar pulled back the curtain on two energy sources being pushed in our state: liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear power. Guest speakers detailed how these proposals are dangerous diversions from our clean energy goals and create new barriers to climate justice.
Achieving Healthier Oceans and People: Nuclear Waste and Its Impacts
Dr. Robert Richmond, a researcher who has studied the impacts of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands, dismantled the myth of "clean" nuclear energy. He highlighted the transgenerational and transboundary nature of nuclear contamination, citing the ongoing crisis at Fukushima.
Key Takeaways:
Ocean Health is Human Health: Radioactive waste contaminates ecosystems and food chains for decades, threatening food security, cultural practices, and public health.
The "Micro-Reactor" Deception: The industry's use of the term intentionally omits "nuclear," but the danger lies in the fuel and waste, which remain significant unknowns.
No Accountability: The Price-Anderson Act limits the liability of nuclear operators, meaning any catastrophic spills would become the financial responsibility of the community.
A "Bridge” or a Pier? LNG and Hawaiʻi’s Energy Future
Wayne Tanaka of the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi exposed the greenwashing behind proposals to adopt LNG as a "bridge fuel." He argued that this multi-billion-dollar investment would lock Hawaiʻi into a volatile fossil fuel dependency.
Key Takeaways:
Unlikely Savings: The projected $1.4 billion infrastructure cost is likely to balloon (see: the Honolulu rail), and global LNG prices are notoriously volatile.
Unreliable Technology: Floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) proposed for Hawaiʻi are high-maintenance and prone to lengthy shutdowns.
Foreign Control: Relying on overseas corporations for our energy supply surrenders control of a public trust resource to entities whose profit motives conflict with the public good.
The path forward is clear: a decisive pivot to proven, clean energy sources like solar, combined with investments in battery storage, grid modernization, and radical changes in energy efficiency and smart design that tackles the excessive energy consumption driving these false promises.
A Decade of Crisis: The "Uē ka lani" Red Hill Panel
The "Uē ka lani" panel marked a somber anniversary: ten years since the Navy’s Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC). The conversation examined how the AOC failed to prevent catastrophe and explored the ongoing fight for accountability.
A Preventable Catastrophe
The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, built just 100 feet above Oʻahu's primary aquifer, has been leaking for decades. This negligence culminated in a catastrophic 2021 spill that poisoned the Navy's water system, sickening thousands of families. The military consistently dismissed warnings and covered up leaks, demonstrating a culture of impunity that prioritizes operations over public safety.
The financial and health burdens of this crisis fall overwhelmingly on local ratepayers, not the military. Ernie Lau, Manager of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, explained how his agency—funded by its customers—is spending millions to track the contamination plume. The military's lack of transparency has forced the Board to file a $1.2 billion federal lawsuit in a difficult battle for cost recovery.
A Call for a Fundamental Shift
The panelists connected the water crisis to the broader struggle over military presence in Hawaiʻi, including the expiring leases on stolen Hawaiian lands in 2029. They described a political environment that has been historically deferential to the military under the false guise of "national security."
The call from each of the speakers was unified: we must shift from a culture of accounting to one of true accountability. Security must be redefined to prioritize the protection of water and land for future generations.
These webinars were both captivating and activating. We encourage you to watch the full conversations!
Climate action vs Greenwashing: at tinyurl.com/climatewebinar-920.
Uē Ka Lani: tinyurl.com/RH-AOCwebinar.