Fire, volcanic, or just Geothermal?

[leilanidude]

@Punatic007 - so tell us what the buffer zone around an active volcano should be? 100 miles?

[Guest]

Great point leilanidude, should folks living in that area around the geothermal power plant be concerned about that sudden increase of natural volcanic steam or gas?
Could sudden large amounts of steam or gas releases like this one be signs of possible eruption?

Mahalo Kalakoa, you brought up some interesting options. There once was a geothermal relocation list, it was frozen shortly after the blowout or large release during hurricane Izzell. That blowout during the storm brought hundreds of concerned neighbors together at a few puna pono alliance meetings. My guess was that they better freeze that short list before it turned into a much larger list. We are Not sure why it hasn't been unfrozen by now, maybe someone else might know more?

Just because the relocation list has been frozen, would that mean they also freeze the adding or subtracting of allotted funds yearly?

Would any of these currently frozen funds be used for the ongoing or pending law suits on puna geothermal?

[opihikao]

Aloha, gypsy, please call the plant and ask them directly. (#965-6233) If there was any danger whatsoever, certainly Fire/Civil Defense would have responded. Didn't hear anything on the scanner about this, just FYI. Trust all is well.

For the record, there is no "international standard" buffer zone. None to my knowledge after 30+ years of studying geothermal development. This is the kind of statement that if repeated enough, people just may believe it. Not factual.

JMO.

[kalakoa]

There once was a geothermal relocation list

The joke being: no requirement that you actually move away from the geothermal plant once your buyout is approved.

should folks living in that area around the geothermal power plant be concerned

Yes, you can tell they're concerned, look at how they're putting their houses up for sale so they can move away from the geothermal plant.

[Guest]

Opihikao, mahalo for the advice. I have tried calling geothermal a few times in the past. I was only able to leave messages, never any call backs yet. I take it you yourself have not heard or know anything about that still frozen relocation list? Or if those frozen funds could be used up by attorneys working on current lawsuits?
I think the list only had some 30 families on it that were wanting or needing the help to relocate away from the geothermal power plant. The population growth in that geothermal power plant area is very concerning to me. Several hundred people have been buying land or homes in that area because it is some of the cheapest in the entire state of Hawaii. Good lawyers like geothermals know just how to twist this population growth around the power plant and use it in a court that will work against the few long time residents waiting to be relocated. jmo.

Anyway Opihikao, hope you enjoyed your mother's day, also very sorry about your loss of a wonderful family companion(your dog). Mahalo for always including my wonderful family during your directed posts. They are all staying very busy, staying out of trouble and doing great. Our oldest is graduating this year and getting ready to go to a college on the mainland, while Our youngest is about to reach her terrible two's on memorial day.

[kalakoa]

Several hundred people have been buying land or homes in that area because it is some of the cheapest

Again: these people should have to sign something indicating that they are aware of the huge industrial operation nearby, rather than force the rest of us to bail them out of their bad decision.

[Kapoho Joe]

quote:

---

Originally posted by gypsy69


Mahalo Kalakoa, you brought up some interesting options. There once was a geothermal relocation list, it was frozen shortly after the blowout or large release during hurricane Izzell. That blowout during the storm brought hundreds of concerned neighbors together at a few puna pono alliance meetings. My guess was that they better freeze that short list before it turned into a much larger list. We are Not sure why it hasn't been unfrozen by now, maybe someone else might know more?

Just because the relocation list has been frozen, would that mean they also freeze the adding or subtracting of allotted funds yearly?

Would any of these currently frozen funds be used for the ongoing or pending law suits on puna geothermal?

---

The relocation program is NOT frozen, contact the County for more details. Furthermore, the meager funds that are there are poised to be raided for yet another study - this time to see if Native Hawaiians are affected differently than the rest of us!

[Kapoho Joe]

quote:

---

Originally posted by kalakoa

Several hundred people have been buying land or homes in that area because it is some of the cheapest

Again: these people should have to sign something indicating that they are aware of the huge industrial operation nearby, rather than force the rest of us to bail them out of their bad decision.

---

The County actually makes money on the deal as the monies spent to purchase the bailout property are Ormat monies. Then the properties go to an auction where the County takes homes all the proceeds.

[Guest]

Again some great ideas kapohojoe.
I did call the county planning dept, only reached answering machines. Anyway that meager account use to have over 5 million dollars before it was getting tapped by some local reps. Now years later it may be getting tapped by outside lawyers, not sure?
The planning dept sent letters to those families on that relocation list back when they were going to freeze it, no new letter ever came saying otherwise is why we thought the freeze was still in place. How many families on the relocation list have been relocated in the past year or two?

[opihikao]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kapoho Joe

The relocation program is NOT frozen, contact the County for more details. Furthermore, the meager funds that are there are poised to be raided for yet another study - this time to see if Native Hawaiians are affected differently than the rest of us!

---

Aloha, Kapoho Joe. This health study better not come from that Relocation fund , it seems to be coming from the "Asset Fund", as reported in the article below (Star Advertiser).

As a Hawaiian, I'm totally against this, and also insulted that the community as a whole is not part of ONE study, not several, that we pay for (ultimately).

Check out who made this ridiculous request, and what Hawaiians were "used" to shove it down the County's throat. Such an insult to our entire community, and moreso, those of us Hawaiians who see the real intent of this group's never ending claims. SMH.

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...-forgotten


http://www.staradvertiser.com/hawaii-new...e-studied/


Yes, our residents' health should be of concern, no question. However, not one case has been medically proven to be directly caused by the geothermal plant to date. Oh, and I don't believe for one second that the Board of Health is taking payments ("bribe money") from ORMAT, as some have stated in the past. Geeze. SMH.

The multi-million dollar payout the first time around has taught some residents that it pays to be "sick". Some are going back for a second feeding at the trough, it would seem.

Gypsy, sorry, no new information on the relocation fund. Many blessings you have in your keiki, and your life. Mahalo for the kind words, and we carry on, difficult as it may be. Aloha to you and your ohana.

JMO.