Group opposes geothermal survey on Hualalai

A group that has long fought geothermal development in Puna plans to challenge a geothermal survey on Hualalai for lacking an environmental assessment.

Terri Napeahi, Pele Defense Fund vice president, thinks the state erred by not requiring the review for the exploration project, which will measure very low-frequency electromagnetic waves underground, and plans to file a lawsuit.

That move follows the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ decision Friday to deny her request for a contested case hearing.

Napeahi, a follower of Native Hawaiian religious practices, said she sees geothermal development as an insult to the goddess Pele.

While this survey, conducted by the University of Hawaii, uses noninvasive techniques and won’t involve drilling, she said an exhaustive review still should occur to ensure cultural sites are not impacted.

“You can lay equipment on top of a cultural site,” Napeahi said. “We want them to go through a thorough environmental assessment.”

Donald Thomas, director of The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes at University of Hawaii at Hilo, said an archaeological survey already occurred on the 19 parcels used for the survey. He said nothing was found.

Thomas, who is leading the geothermal exploration project, said it will have a low impact and estimated 1 square meter of land will be disturbed for every million square meters surveyed. He said he will keep the project on hold until a legal challenge is resolved.

Napeahi said a more extensive archaeological review is needed.

“I want a thorough process,” she said.

Napeahi almost got it.

The project initially would have required an environmental assessment since some of the survey sites were located on urban or conservation lands. Citing high costs of such a review, the university replaced those locations with others on agriculture land that don’t have the same requirement.

Researchers will use a technique known as a “magnetotelluric survey” that maps electrical conductivity of rocks underground.

Thomas said the purpose of the study is to determine if a geothermal resource exists under the dormant volcano. It won’t determine the economic viability of tapping into it, he said.

“The efforts to define economic viability are much more intense and much more extensive than anything we have the resources to do,” he said.

“If we’re doing groundwater exploration with the same technique, neither a permit or environmental assessments are required,” he added.

While there are no plans for geothermal development on Hualalai, there has been interest.

In Hawaii Electric Light Co.’s recent geothermal request for proposals, it sought submissions involving sites in Puna, already home to a 38-megawatt geothermal power plant, and Kona, where demand for electricity is higher. No bids were submitted for West Hawaii.

Napeahi, of Hilo, said the potential for drilling is a significant religious issue for her even if she doesn’t live in the area.

“Hualalai is no different from any pu‘u that formed on this island,” she said. “She (Pele) is the source. To get any kind of resource they have to drill. That’s an impact on the deity.”

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.