Group News: Hawaiʻi Island & Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
The Role of Microgrids
By Steve Holmes, Former U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Champion + Life member of Sierra Club | Reading time: 1.5 minutes
The Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has an open docket looking at the role of microgrids to increase resilience in the face of climate change and to shape the placement of future renewables. The docket is looking at a tariff to aid in this.
Microgrids can be hybrids that stand alone, but can export energy to support the larger grid as needed. Microgrids essentially shed loads from the larger grid and move us to 100% renewables faster. They also have reduced line losses for greater efficiency and reduced costs. You aren’t trying to send electrons across the island to meet demand. So, big savings by keeping those electrons in the neighborhood.
The geography of the Big Island favors microgrids as population centers are spread out, which tends to run up transmission and distribution costs. Long distribution lines are more exposed to storm events and disruption. These costs are in addition to generation, so a tariff provides an incentive to the utility to modernize while reducing our electric bills in the end.
One of the early projects moving forward is for North Kohala on the Big Island. This area is currently served by one power line and services a rural community that has an important asset - a wind farm. The timing is good as the wind farm seeks a contract renewal and will be investing in major upgrades.
The North Kohala Microgrid has an already drafted request for proposal for a 5 MW battery energy storage system to be located next to the Hawi Substation on Akoni Pule to minimize impacts. Hawi Renewable Development which operates the current wind farm will upgrade one turbine at a time to keep operations up and running. A microgrid controller system will provide system integration. PUC approval is expected mid-2022.
Hu Honua…Desperate?
By Steve Holmes, Former U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Champion + Life member of Sierra Club | Reading time: 1.5 minutes
Hu Honua Bioenergy has a problem-- the facts aren’t on their side.
They have been trying to get a waiver from the legally mandated competitive bidding process. They went up to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court twice now chasing this unicorn for the simple reason that they want a lot of money for their electricity, and contract terms that would force consumers to buy that more expensive electricity.
In the last Hawai’i Supreme Court “HELCO 2” ruling, Hu Honua won a minor victory caused by language in the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Decision and Order that denied their waiver. The waiver went back before PUC, which set up a hearing to give Hu Honua due process. But suddenly, just before the start, Hu Honua’s lawyers filed another appeal. That effectively killed the proceedings that had just been granted in their Supreme Court win. It put their whole docket and their whole project on hold.
Why did Hu Honua do that?
Many say it’s because the Consumer Advocate exposed Hu Honua’s proposal as not in the public interest, eliminating the only possible grounds to grant them a waiver. But…PUC Chair Jay Griffin is stepping down soon. So it appears Hu Honua is hoping certain state senators will choose a new chair who will rule in their favor.
But a PUC decision in Hu Honua’s favor would just lead to an appeal in the courts, where they would most likely lose on the public interest issue.
Regardless, Hu Honua continues to run an aggressive public relations campaign and pay attorneys. It’s lots of money going out but no money coming in. At some point, investors are likely to see this is going nowhere and cut their losses.
In the meantime, worthy projects are moving toward completion, and the need for electricity from Hu Honua is fading.
Pāpaʻikou Mill Beach
by Cory Harden | Reading time: 1.5 minutes
We are deeply disappointed in Mayor Roth’s decision not to pursue shoreline access at Pāpa’ikou Mill Beach, one of the few beaches on the Hāmākua coast.
The only access to the beach is a trail on private property owned by a Canadian woman. The gate at the trailhead is locked every night. The owner also has rules such as no coolers, strollers, or skateboards, and has had community residents arrested, fined, or barred from the trail for breaking the rules. Residents who have gone to the beach for generations are sometimes locked out. Kalani Lyman, a Native Hawaiian and also a descendant of the Lyman missionaries, was once arrested for using the trail at the wrong time—despite his constitutionally-protected traditional and customary rights, rights that have been repeatedly upheld by the state Supreme Court.
For over ten years, there has been widespread and unwavering support for access—from Global HOPE, the Surfrider Foundation, the Sierra Club, and individual testifiers, young and old, kamaʻāina and newbies, from diverse cultural groups and diverse walks of life. Old-timers have recounted memories of plantation days. Lawyers have analyzed deeds and statutes. Over 5,000 people signed a petition. Hundreds of people turned out for hearing after hearing. Many people held signs by the road.
In 2017, the County finally filed an eminent domain lawsuit to acquire the trail—-but the suit failed in court. The County could appeal, with a good chance of success, and the entire County Council supports an appeal. But the Mayor refuses, citing liability concerns.
Efforts to win access continue behind the scenes. But it is sobering to see one person negate the efforts of thousands of people.
Oʻahu Group
Wāwāmalu Blessing
A years-long campaign to address the impacts of increased off-roading on the environmental and cultural integrity of Wāwāmalu has officially paid off and nature is rebounding. In late January, a blessing and rededication was held for the area, as a space for native species and local residents to enjoy for generations to come.
Boulder barrier at Wāwāmalu to help mitigate off-roading. Photo: Wayne Tanaka
The blessing commemorated the 2021 installation of boulders and a designated parking area at Wāwāmalu, which have significantly reduced vehicular degradation of the nearby sand dunes and Ka Iwi coastline long used by Oʻahu residents for fishing, swimming and hiking, and that also serves as important habitat for native and endangered species.
None of this would be possible without the tireless dedication of Oʻahu Group volunteer and champion Reese Liggett. Reese has worked to protect Wāwāmalu for over thirty years and has seen this campaign through from its inception, through neighborhood boards, city council, state agencies and everything in between. He has built a strong partnership between the Livable Hawaiʻi Kai Hui, Surfrider Foundation, 808 Cleanups, Hawaiʻi Kai Neighborhood Board and the Sierra Club over the years.
Long-time Sierra Club volunteer and advocate lead, Reese Liggett giving his remarks at the blessing in January 2022. Photo: Ray Tabata
Reese, the Sierra Club, the people of Oʻahu and the Ka Iwi Coast and its native ecosystem, are all forever grateful for your hard work. You’ve built an incredible legacy.
But as Reese says, “we are not done”. While the installation of boulders and a designated parking area were important steps, guardrails are still needed along Kalanianaʻole Highway, to ensure that off-roading does not further erode and degrade the beach and shoreline area. Stay tuned for more!