The Future of East Hawaii

[Tahunatics]

Here's a free 24 minute video on Google Video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1992629256196958115&q=Peak+Oil

[Carey]

Mella, In a Hilo Bay Watershed class at UH, I learned that the California water wars have been waged for over a century, with a lot of really dirty politics (I had a little bit of an idea, but nowhere near the depth...a good book for the background on the California water issues, but slightly odd as to the future is "Cadillac Desert".
Being a retiree from one of the BIG THREE, Peak Oil is nothing new, all fossil fuels have a limit, as there is nothing resupplying the resource. Currently, more fossil fuels are being used than ever before, and the price is actually LOWER today (even last month) both in adjusted price and percent of income, than in the 70 oil crunch. This is the oddest take on supply & demand...supply is going down, demand is going up & the price is at a lower point than 30 years ago! (plus the epa ave. milage has gone down by almost 1 mile per gal in the last decade .... PROGRESS??? but I degress...., my little rant is over, It is a gorgeous sunset in the clouds over the water....
Have a glorious evening,
Aloha, Carey

[Rob L]

Why no mention of geothermal energy? Much of Hawai'i's energy comes from imported fossil fuels. Geothermal could probably replace it all. (But people in Puna do seem to object to it).

It would take a Constitutional Amendement to prohibit free movement of people from the other 49 to Hawai'i. If they start amending the constitution. You may say goodbye to most of your rights.

If WiFi etc are everywhere, why will Hawaii seem more remote?

Why would they limit the total number of cars on the island rather than their oil consuption? Wouldn't it be better to have lots of electric vehicles (recharged by solar or geothermal) than on big SUV?

Horses and other grass eaters are big producers of gases responcible for global warming. They produce more than the oil industry worldwide!

Some of your things don't seem to add up to me.



Aloha,
Rob L

[leilaniguy]

As we talk about energy, how about ethanol. I recently saw on the tube an article about how Brazil had become energy independant, relying on ethanol from sugarcane, with a much higher alcohol content than maize. It was done on a small scale on the south pacific islands during WW11. Maybe it's time to rhink about sugar canes resurrection in Hawaii.

[robguz]

Well I'm all for equality for dolphins! Maybe we can get them to run things for a while. Given that they don't intentionally and systematically destroy their own environment that they are dependent on, they are arguably the more intelligent species.

[Tahunatics]

I saw that show too about Brazil and the sugar cane. Hawaii has many natural resources and can be self-sufficient if it wants to.

The wind at southpoint could power the entire Kona coast. Sugar cane could power all the cars on the islands. We could also plant Oil Palm Trees which produce the most veggie oil of any crop. Then you could make biodiesel with it for trucks and boats and VW tdi's.

http://www.driftwoodgardens.com/africanoilpalm.htm

Pacific Biodiesel in Maui is planning on putting a biodiesel plant on island soon: http://www.biodiesel.com/

Education is key, learning about permaculture and organic farming would be a positive step.

http://www.hawaiiorganicfarmers.org/appren.htm

http://www.permaculture-hawaii.com/

http://www.permaculture.net/courses/us_hawaii.html

Hawaii is already a leader in aquaculture:
http://www.hawaiiaquaculture.org/

[JerryCarr]

While I am a big supporter of just about all alternative energy sources, I think the departure of the large-scale sugar industry has left Hawaii short of the infrastructure needed for significant ethanol production. Everything from harvesting equipment to grinding mills would have to be re-acquired, or at the very least, massively rehabbed. Also, land use patterns have changed and many former sugar plantations are now used for other purposes, including some subdivisions. Despite all that, it just MIGHT be feasible if extreme oil prices made it economically justifiable. There are significant tax breaks for ethanol production that might help, too, although those seem designed to prop up the big Midwest agribusinesses growing and processing corn.

Aloha,
Jerry

[Carolann R]

My husband and I sat and watched a few HOURS of video regarding Peak Oil. It's kinda creepy. I mean, there's no way out of this debacle if you look at the big picture. You just have to take care of your own. I am now so into catchment and possible future solar set-up. Even if we buy a house on county water, there's nothing that says we can have a catchment set-up. Living off the grid has more advantages than I ever imagined.

It's made me think about all the times I leave a light on and walk in the other room...all the appliances that remained plugged-in so they can just suck the juice up...air conditioning at stupid levels...even paper plates and paper towels...so many things I can do to save energy. I recycle now - but the fact is that the less recycle waste I have the better.

I was talking to Tony about an idea of having some kind of a produce "club" with neighbors once we get settled. What if you had a garden and aside from your regular veggies grown for your family, you grew just ONE select veggie. And you could meet with neighbors once or twice a week and barter veggies so everyone could have abundance? As a community - 'cause that's what it's gonna come down to - communities. Know your neighbors.

I'll tell you what radioguy - this thread really opened my eyes. Now I think "Bizarro World" is what we live in now - our country is so wasteful with no forethought. Now it's too late. There's only so much you can pull from mother earth - and that "Bell Curve" is most frightening.

We sold our Harleys (ouch) to lighten the financial load for preparation to move. I believe that once on the island it would behoove us to get a used bike and have Tony ride to work and I could use it for short trips where I didn't need to lug groceries, etc.

Sooo many ideas.

Mahalo

Carrie Rojo

[pslamont]

I like the gardening co-oop idea. Kind of a farmers market trade set up.....I already do tons of trade with a cool circle of friends. We keep t loose, help one another out, share what we have. It's really cool. I see it growing over time.

Welcome to my world! Yeee haaaa!!!!

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Carolann R]

ALOOOOOOOHA PAM! I just knew you were at it already! You sure are an early riser - it's only 7:30 am or so here in Arizona!

Hey - while I have your attention - I looked (honest - I used the search feature so don't be mad if there's already stuff on it here) for any info on raising your own fish! I mean - did I read here at one point that there are people who have pools on their property (like a swimming pool) that they actually raise fish for food?? That's a cool idea. I mean - how FRESH can it get? If you could have chicks for eggs and fish and veggies...(dang - I think I'm hungry - no breakfast yet hehehehe).

Anyway - anyone know anything about a fish farm in your yard??

Carrie