07-14-2012, 04:42 AM
Geothermal is providing enough power now so there was talk about shutting down the Puna diesel electric plant. The talk has changed to converting the Puna plant to biofuel, mainly from the eucalyptus up north but it would seem albizia would also be very suitable. The trees are majestic but they are an invasive species plus their size and density make them very dangerous in windy storms, as well as just random branches falling off. It does look cool to drive down roads with this canopy over it but it is from Australia and who needs the BI to become more like Australia? It also appears so much better when stands of albizia are cleared out, more like Hawaii. A local biofuel electric plant buying albizia logs and branches would start thinning their numbers quickly.
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*