Be forewarned, wrapping your head around the dynamic situation evolving in response to the state’s push for biomass energy projects is going to take determination. If you are hoping to have a say about whether this results in a more sustainable future or in what one concerned citizen called a “biomassacre,” you’d best jump in now.
Recent interactions between those angling for a piece of the action and those in a position to determine their share indicate the decision making process is well underway. Ignore Laura Theilen’s public protestations to the contrary. The director of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources made two public appearances this week to convince Hawai’i Islanders that the process is wide open to all comers. First at a hearing held Wednesday at the UH-Hilo Campus and then at a town hall meeting at the Honoka’a People’s Theater on Thursday, Theilen downplayed recent Land Board decisions favoring two biomass ventures hoping to make use of public lands. She also went out of her way to assert that none of the competing entities has been given an advantage. As she and Joshua Strickler, the State Energy Facilitator, were grilled Wednesday night by a panel consisting of Senators Russell Kokubun, Clayton Hee and Dwight Takamine critical details emerged and the fast track set up for the early comers stalled. Take note that recently elected Representative Mark Nakashima did a fine job of occupying his seat and projecting a blank stare.
News of these approvals, however preliminary, came to most Hawai’i Islanders by way of the local newspapers. The outrage sparked by the roundabout notification is what sent legislators scrambling. Jeri Moniz took the mic to speak on behalf of lessees that would be dispossessed if and when the deals were done. Moniz cited previous losses to local food producers because of concessions made to expand Pohakuloa Training Camp on the Saddle Road, and she called these and similar actions taken by the DLNR an “unethical means of bringing an entire entity to its demise.”
Moniz represented ‘boots on the ground’ opposition to the use of Hamakua lands for fuel over food production. What remains to be seen is what form that opposition will take in the future and how forceful the argument will have to be made to ensure the best use of these public lands.
In her testimony, Moniz stated that the parcels requested by the biomass energy producers amounted to “a significant part of the lands used for beef and dairy” production here. She estimated that 10 percent of the beef cattle raised on Hawai’i Island (which produces 76 percent of the state’s beef) grazes that land. By the time Moniz shared these concerns, Theilen had announced that lands used by the two local dairies — the only dairies still operating in the state — were “off the table.” Statements made later also sought to ease these concerns, still it seemed that the efforts made by Theilen and Strickler resulted in few converts.
The biggest difference between the two public meetings was the missing legion of aloha shirts at the second. Here the most oft repeated sentiment amounted to recognition of County Councilman Dominic Yagong as the people’s champion and it was people not players who dominated the venue. With the Honokaa People’s Theater capable of seating 525 and the place full (if not packed) a clear statement was made that the public intends to be part of any decision making.
On Thursday, Theilen was as calm, focused and unflappable as she was the previous night. She delivered all the same assurances that the department and land board had done nothing more than open a dialogue with first one and then another biomass company on how they might partner with the state to implement their respective business plans. When asked to explain differences between her statements and online summaries of the agreements reached, she directed those concerned to consult the actual minutes of the meeting. Theilen pledged that, contrary to what the summaries stated, environmental reviews would have to be completed before the state could grant a lease for the purposes in question.
The most pertinent question asked on either night just so happened to be the only question the otherwise responsive Theilen dodged: What, if anything, will the public have to say about the use of Hamakua lands for fuel production?
Who exactly are these interests looking to develop biomass ventures on Hawai`i Island? For those interested in sticking with the issue and hoping to participate in the next public forum (scheduled January 13 at the Honoka’a High School) with their heads wrapped around it, look for an upcoming series of reports on the players and the promises they are making.
