KILAUEA ERUPTION

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A STEADY SOURCE OF POWER failed to take necessary steps to mal plants internationally are lo- wouldn’t have reservations
The Puna Geothermal Venture plant has produced an prevent accidental releases, ac- cated in volcanic regions, about siting a geothermal facility
average of 22 percent annually of Hawaii island’s cording to the EPA. several geothermal experts told around a highly active volcano.
power needs over roughly the past decade. The agency reached a settle- the Star-Advertiser they were “Geothermal plants work best
29% 29%
ment, including the fine, with the not aware of an eruption closing where it’s hot, so a volcano is
30%
company. At the time the settle- one down. They also said they kind of a good place to put
ment was announced in January were not aware of plants being them,” Horne said in an Q&A
25 23% 24% 23%
22% 2016, the plant was in compliance built within a mile or so of resi- published on Stanford’s website.
20% 20% with the act, EPA said. dences. But opponents of the PGV
20 19%
17% A year after the EPA inspection, Ruderman, the state senator, plant say the ongoing Kilauea
15 14% residents dealt with another re- said no other geothermal plant eruption has brought more pub-
lease of hydrogen sulfide — this in the world is located as close lic attention to the problems of
10 time as Hurricane Iselle was bear- to homes as Puna’s. having a geothermal facility
ing down on the Big Island. Civil “When looking at recent im- there, adding momentum to a
5
Defense advised residents to ages of the (Puna) lava flows, I movement against restarting the
evacuate the area if they were not was quite surprised at how close PGV operation.
0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* feeling well, but by then downed the geothermal plant was to “They’re dead,” Leilani Estates
*Through April trees blocked the routes out. houses,” Martyn Unsworth, a resident Sofia Wilt said of the
Source: Hawaii Electric Light STAR-ADVERTISER In the hours and days following geophysics professor at the Uni- plant. “People are angry.”
that release, residents reported versity of Alberta in Canada, Wilt bought her home in 2007
symptoms including headaches, wrote in an email to the Star-Ad- but lost it to lava last week.
grogginess, shallow breathing, vertiser. If the lava doesn’t claim the
cized over the years for releasing More recently, the U.S. Environ- scratchy throats, nausea and fever. At plants he’s visited in Ice- plant, people will not tolerate at-
hazardous gases, including hydro- mental Protection Agency fined The state fined PGV $23,700 for land, the Philippines, Mexico and tempts to revive it, taking to the
gen sulfide. The most serious inci- PGV $76,500 for safety violations that release, which the company Japan, the nearest homes were streets if necessary, according to
dent came in 1991 when one of its of the Clear Air Act. An August said was necessary because of several miles away and often Ruderman.
well’s had a major blowout. The 2013 inspection, which was trig- downed transmission lines. much farther, Unsworth said. “If you thought we had pro-
uncontrolled venting lasted 31 gered by hydrogen sulfide re- Roland Horne, a Stanford Uni- tests back then, wait til you see
hours and triggered the evacua- leases in March and April of that Too close for comfort? versity professor of energy re- what happens if they try to re-
tion of nearby neighborhoods. year, found that the company Though hundreds of geother- sources engineering, said he start,” he said.

to the recipients of the

2018 Educational Grant Program
Longs Drugs has established a tradition of
contributing to the needs of Hawaii’s communities.
One of the main concerns today is the demand
for a work force with the education and
technical training beyond high school.
The purpose of this $1,000 grant is to assist
high school graduates who are interested
Taylor Kim Kiko Patcho in a career in business with their Camille Kimoto Jenica Mae Paz
Aiea High School Anuenue High School educational expenses. Baldwin High School James B. Castle High School

Keith Christine Agcaoili Fara Aina Kaylee DeLoye Meynard Ballesteros Nathan Bek Siliva Toelupe
Farrington High School Hana High School Hanalani Schools Hilo High School Island Pacific Academy Kahuku High School

Liza Marie Corotan Justin Hong Eva Manzulli Ryan Leon Bracamontes Reis Nakamura Mylia Briggs
Kaimuki High School Kaiser High School Kalaheo High School Kalani High School Kapaa High School Kapolei High School

Keana Lovell-Obatake Cheyenne Kelekoma Shayne Thompson Mark Inouye Jessica Akiona Lily Tran
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Le Jardin Academy Leilehua High School Maui High School McKinley High School Mililani High School Moanalua High School

Kamuela Sagario Lynold Tuiloma Jericho Manning Harmony Tolentino Sharon Diep Emily Moriyama
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Dakota Takeno Shay Nishimura Robert Houser III Sierra Gaison Jason Pagtolingan Ashlee Naong
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