Protecting A'ina
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Creating Change
For over four decades, Puna’s guardians have fought PGV’s threats to our health, culture, and ‘āina through courts, county council, and state legislature. These battles protect sacred Kīlauea Volcano and demand transparency. Join us—review the updates below and take action. This section of the website covers the legal community led fights , along with petitions, followed by county council and state legislation bills that we the people need to be aware of and send in our testimonies. Mahalo for taking the time to be here and for being a aloha 'aina warrior. Aloha always, Jazzy KahuPuna
Current legal fights :
These court challenges seek injunctions to halt PGV’s expansion and enforce environmental safeguards.
Steiner v. County of Hawaiʻi & PGV (Filed April 2024)
Status: Ongoing – Seeking permanent injunction on Repower Project. Details: Challenges the Final EIS for failing to address cultural harms, health risks (e.g., emissions), and community input. Highlights 40 years of unmonitored impacts on Puna’s sacred lands. Action – Read the full filing and sign our support petition.
IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
STATE OF HAWAII:
JOINT REPLY TO PUNA GEOTHEMRAL VENTURE AND COUNTY OF HAWAII/ZENDO
KERN’S ANSWERING BRIEFS
APPEAL FROM MINUTE ORDER
GRANTING PGV AND COUNTY OF
HAWAII MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY
JUDGMENT FILED 10/14/2024
HAR § 11-1-51 PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF RULES FOR SITING
REQUIREEMENTS AND SUBSIDENCE AND SEISMIC MONITORING
OF GEOTHERMAL PLANTS september 2025
pro SE appealant Sara Steiner of 'A'OLE PGV
Jan 21 2025 APPEAL FROM MINUTE ORDERGRANTING PGV AND COUNTY OFHAWAII MOTIONS FOR SUMMARYJUDGMENT
Electronically Filed
Intermediate Court of Appeals
CAAP-24-0000678
21-JAN-2025
10:38 PM
Dkt. 32 OB 3CCV-24-0000128
(Environmental Court Action)
(Injunctive Relief)
FILED 10/14/2024 appelants opening brief
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono #EndGeothermal #aolepgv
Active Petitions by KahuPuna Aloha Activism for the Puna environment (please sign and share !)
Legal Fights 2025: Geothermal Energy Legislation in Hawaiʻi
In 2025, geothermal energy remained a contentious issue in Hawaiʻi, particularly on Hawaiʻi Island where the Puna district hosts the state's primary geothermal operations. This year saw several bills at the state level aimed at expanding exploration, funding development, and addressing environmental concerns, though many failed to pass amid public opposition and legislative hurdles. At the county level, budget allocations continued to support community impacts from existing geothermal activities. Below is a comprehensive list of key bills and resolutions related to geothermal energy from the 2025 legislative session (state) and county council actions. These reflect ongoing debates over energy independence, environmental risks, cultural impacts, and community benefits.
Note: The 2025 state legislative session ran from January to May 2025. By October 2025, unpassed bills have died unless carried over (rare for these measures). Statuses are based on available records as of this date.
State Legislature Bills (33rd Legislature, 2025 Session)
The following bills were introduced to promote or regulate geothermal development, often focusing on exploration funding and assessments. Many stalled due to concerns over environmental justice, especially in Puna:
State Legislature Resolutions (2025 Session)
Resolutions do not carry the force of law but direct state agencies and can influence policy.
Hawaiʻi County Council Actions (2025)
At the county level, no standalone bills specifically targeting new geothermal development were introduced in 2025. However, the annual budget included provisions for managing existing geothermal impacts, reflecting ongoing community concerns in Puna #AOLEPILIKIA
