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quote:
Originally posted by Kapohocat
quote:
Originally posted by opihikao...
Geothermal has been a part of our culture since the days of King Kalakaua. In 1881, King David Kalakaua of Hawaii and several of his closest advisors paid a visit to New York. During this visit, Kalakaua sought the counsel of Thomas Edison regarding an extraordinary vision – the possibility to harness the myriad natural resources that Hawaii possesses to create power. As a result, Honolulu became one of the first Western cities to have electric streetlights, powered by a nearby hydroelectric plant....
I love reading your posts and finding out new information about the past. I could picture a group of children at your Tutu's knee listening to the stories likening it to listening to my Abuela's stories of Southern California. It was her people's land before...
Please keep posting. This is powerful.
Mahalo, Kapohocat, coming from you, I'm humbled and honored.
Your mind's eye is keen, as the picture you envision is indeed how it was. Precious memories.
snorkle, no offense was meant, nor taken. We all have our opinions that come from life experience, for the most part. "Hybrid" is almost an insult if taken out of context. Kanaka maoli always had the ability to voice opinion, however, it is not in our nature to argue and insult each other, that is perhaps the "hybrid" influence.
We ho'oponopono our way through difficulties, and remain whole at the end of the process. No one hurt, problem resolved, never to be raised again. Common ground, forgiveness, and understanding was the goal.
The verbal banter is good, as it will help find common ground in this subject of geothermal. You're having a good discussion with geochem who is making extremely valid points.
JMO.
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I meant no offense with the "hybrid" reference. I simply believe that when different cultures meet they both change. Both Hawaiian and Ha'ole culture are different today from their interaction.
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Thanks everyone for the thoughts and discussion. pass the popcorn please...
Dave
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Not everyone can choose where to live but for those that can we all have lots of things to consider when making the choice. Money, family, community, taxes, access to parks or the ocean or doctors or clean water; everyone has their own reasons for or against. We moved to Leilani several years ago and it has mostly lived up to our expectations. Like it now costs twice as much for the occasional trip to the mainland. Living on the rift is just part of the deal. Watching the news we see people losing everything because they wanted to live in a flood-plain or a forest, or there is tornado alley and all of the other things that can come out of nowhere and change everything. If you can, you live where the weather suits you and where you can enjoy each day. Crap can, and will, happen anywhere but worrying about it isn't a good use of time.
The geothermal plant has so far been less of a nuisance to us than the turkey farm a few miles upwind of our last home or the loud neighbors in the previous one. Worse neighbors to me would be the airport or the highway or a diesel fired generator making electricity.
Jay
Jay
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Opihikao,
I find you to be one of the bright lights on Punaweb, so please don't misunderstand this slight disagreement. The lava does not always go around an ohana, no matter their mana. The big difference between then and now is in the question of "land ownership." In the past if a village (not sure of the Hawaiian word) was overrun by lava the people just moved out of the way and were given a new spot. Not now, since the advent of private property. If your house is overrun by lava you are SOL and pretty much on your own.
Imagine if Waa Waa were to be covered by lava. Would the state say "no problem, here is some other property, rebuild here." A huge cultural difference!
Jerry
Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com
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Ownership of private property does not magically translate into any guarantee of "fitness or suitability of purpose"; it's still "yours" even after the lava flow makes it "worthless".
...just like all those DHHL subdivisions, reserved for natives who can afford permits.
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Aloha, jerry. Bless your heart! E kala mai,and mea culpa. It has been many years since the last debate on geothermal in Puna, and this time, emotions are running extremely high. Factual information is difficult to obtain, and my rant was purely out of frustration.
Tutu Pele will take what she wants to take. Queen's Bath was a favorite spot for our ohana (when it was clean in the old days), Kaimu Black Sand beach, another favorite gone. Our kupuna told us Tutu was angry at the kapulu manner in which her land was being treated.
When people leave gin and whiskey outside the PGV plant, and "call" Tutu Pele to take it, agressively argue with those who are in support of geothermal, and then state they are protecting Tutu Pele, it gets a bit difficult to continue reasoned discussion. The only person in my life I have seen call Tutu Pele and have her respond, was Aunty Iolani Luahine at Halemaumau. (sorry, again, I digress to the good old days).
Perhaps the State should take HECO/HELCO/MECO as a true "public" utility, and make some concessions to the nearby land owners that are concerned. The geothermal royalties the State receives should be spent in Puna, and perhaps a portion going to relocation. Lower rates for Puna, the host community for geothermal, would be a good thing.
Hopefully, common ground will be found, the State and County will realize the challenge in the community and make sound changes that will enable all of us to accept what the plan is for Puna. To this day, neither the State nor the County has addressed Puna as promised.
Your point is very well taken. May I claim menopause as a defense? [  ]
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opihikao,
You you have memories of Kapoho before it was lost in 1960? I have seen pictures of what appeared to be a sheltered bay very suitable for swimming. The area looked lovely. I have heard little lore or comment on Kapoho Village over the years.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Aloha, Sir. Unfortunately, I do not, as I was too young at the time. However, the stories of the eruption are still vivid. Some of my kupuna took in displaced families, and the stories told give you chicken skin!
The area you may be referring to as a sheltered bay might be past the lighthouse, and somewhere in the area of Honolulu Landing makai side. (Honolulu meaning "protected bay"). In the area named "Koa'e" (same general area), the ocean front had a beautiful bay that my Greatgrandmother said was the place where the King and warriors brought in the canoes in preparation for battle. There is still remnants of a heiau where strategy and planning of war took place. It might also be the same area where boats would come in to pick up and drop off goods in the later years, prior to the shift of the coastline.
I found this to be a pretty accurate read (IMO) on the Kapoho/Koa'e/Honolulu Landing area:
Clark: Beaches of the Big Island
By John R. K. Clark
(ETA: Took out link - blew margins, sorry. Search Kapoho/Honolulu Landing in his book online)
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Why, in an area with the rainfall you get aren't there small hydro plants here and there to offset other ways of creating power there?
comin' your way soon!
comin' your way soon!
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