life of the lands

Aloha! Happy Holidays from Life of the Land, Hawai`i’s own community-driven environmental group! We hope that this holiday season is full of peace and joy for you and all those you love. Life of the Land has been at the forefront of energy issues in Hawai`i before the issue was “sexy”. The recent Public Utility Commission (PUC) evidentiary hearings on NextEra ʻ s proposed takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) again distinguished us as a resource for all sectors of our community.  NextEra’s proposed takeover awakened Hawai`i ʻs people  and businesses to the importance of our own resources and values. The PUC process took 18 intense months, from December 2014 to July 2016, but the result was well worth it as communities across Hawai`i nei started to realize what we have and what we value most. NextEra’s proposed takeover of HEI resulted in more groups coming forward to address energy policies, rooftop solar, and climate change. More c...

Hawai`i's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014 was $76.2 billion. The U.S. Energy Information Administration updated its  Hawai`i Profile  on September 17, 2015. "Hawaii's geographic isolation makes its energy infrastructure unique among the states. In recent years,  more than one-tenth  of the state's gross domestic product has been spent on energy, most of that for imported crude oil and petroleum products.” These figures are consistent with international figures. “ World energy consumption  refers to the total energy used by all of human civilization. Typically measured per year, it involves all energy harnessed from every energy source applied towards humanity's endeavors across every single industrial and technological sector, across every country. … In 2011, expenditures on energy totaled over 6 trillion USD, or about 10% of the world gross domestic product (GDP).” Energy drives the world economy at $190,000 per second, $...

The role of energy cannot be understated.  Both internationally, and in Hawai`i, expenditures on energy account for more than ten percent of all expenditures  (Energy $$$ > 10% of GDP).  Energy drives commerce and industry. Energy costs are the major financial input for agriculture and moving water. See:  Energy Plays Dominant Role in Hawai`i Economy In addition, energy is the number one causer of health impacts, loss of critical habitat, pollution, and climate change. See:  Energy Plays Dominant Role in Threats to Hawai`i Residents & Ecosystems Life of the Land was founded in February 1970, one month after the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) became law, which required federal Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and two months before the first Earth Day. During the 1960s HECO spent money on advertisements encouraging ratepayers to increase their use of electricity. In 1971 HECO asked the Public Utilities Commission for the right to pass the a...

Fossil Fuel use is a threat to every form of life.   Honolulu Harbor Oil Tanks A National Academy of Science Study, conducted at the request of U.S. Congress, analyzed energy-induced health impacts. “ Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of EnergyProduction and Use ” (2010) found that in the U.S. 20,000 people die prematurely each year from fossil fuel air pollution, and that U.S. health impacts cost $120 billion/year.  The study excluded health impacts associated with global warming; burning oil for trains, ships and planes; coal mining; and coal byproducts dumped into streams and rivers. Waiau Oil Spill A Chevron pipeline ruptured on May 14, 1996, discharging 41,000 gallons of No. 6 bunker fuel oil into Waiawa Stream adjacent to HECO’s Waiau Power Plant. Being slightly heavier than fresh water, the oil slowly sank through the Waiawa Stream water table, contaminating life forms along its spread and descent. Being slightly lighter than salt water, when it reache...

By Henry Curtis The day after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 the Navy declared martial law on Kaho`olawe. Residents were forced to leave.  The Navy used Kaho‘olawe as a target ranch from 1941 through 1990.  The Navy assaulted the island with napalm, mock atomic warheads, bombs and rockets. “ From 1942-1943, American submarine commanders tested torpedoes by firing them at the shoreline cliffs at Kanapou. Additional torpedoes were test-fired from 1943 to the 1960’s, ” according to the   Parsons-UXB Joint Venture Final Summary   (2004).  The Report noted that the   "’Sailor Hat’ tests were conducted on Kaho`olawe. Three tests of 500 tons of TNT each were detonated to simulate the blast effects of nuclear weapons on shipboard weapon systems .” Many of the unexploded warheads targeted for land landed in the ocean. In 1969 protests ensued when a five-hundred-pound bomb was found over seven miles across the channel on Maui pasture land leased to then Maui ...

By Henry Curtis In the spring of 1995 the Honolulu Star-Bulletin ran three Special Sections over a three week period covering four decades of Hawaii.  In the March 14, 1995 Special Section the paper wrote an article, “ Key leaders left mark on the state during Hawaii’s growth years .” “ The effect a person can have on a place is immeasurable. Here are the 10 people or organizations who, from 1965 to 1975, helped make Hawaii what it is today .” Those honorable mentioned but not making the list were such notables as Henry Kaiser, Frank Fasi, William S. Richardson court, Myron B. Thompson, Robert Oshiro and George Ariyoshi. Their list of key players contained 6 individuals -- John Burns, Tom Gill, George Helm, Dan Inouye, Patsy Mink and Ah Quon McElrath; and 4 organizations -- Land Use Commission, Bishop Estate, Unions and Life of the Land. Life of the Land was founded in February 1970 and named in September 1970.  Life of the Land made the top ten list even though the organizati...