Empowering Puna: How a District 4 Councilmember Can Hold Puna Geothermal Venture Accountable

wearepuna
Jul 3
4 min read

By Jasmine Steiner KahuPuna Aloha Activism | wearepuna.wixsite.com/aloha-activism

Aloha kakou, Puna ohana. For decades, families in Lower Puna have lived in the shadow of Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV). Many deal with concerns over air quality, noise, water impacts, health uncertainties, and cultural desecration in Pele’s realm. A strong voice on the Hawaiʻi County Council—specifically our District 4 representative—can make a real difference in demanding transparency, oversight, and genuine accountability from PGV and the agencies that regulate it.

The Power of District 4: Your Voice at the County Level:

Hawaiʻi County Council District 4 covers key Lower Puna communities—including Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pāhoa, Leilani Estates, Nānāwale, and surrounding areas. The councilmember is not just a politician; they are the elected voice of the people in county decisions that directly affect our daily lives.

District 4 reps can:

Introduce resolutions calling for independent health, air, and water studies.
Advocate for stricter permit conditions and better enforcement.
Push budget priorities for monitoring and emergency preparedness in the geothermal zone.
Amplify constituent complaints in hearings with county departments, PGV, HELCO, and state partners.

This position bridges residents and the systems that permit and oversee PGV operations. When our rep actively engages, it creates pressure for real change. When they stay silent or conflicted, the status quo persists.

The County of Hawaiʻi’s Central Role—and Accountability Gap

The County of Hawaiʻi, particularly the Planning Department, holds significant responsibility for PGV:

It issues or approves critical permits, including Geothermal Resource Permit elements, building/grading permits, and serves as the approving agency for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) like the recent repower project (which was approved by Zendo Kern on the basis of a completely fraudulent Environmental Impact Statement). The County also coordinates local land-use oversight, emergency response, and can influence operational conditions.

I mention this because a kupuna, who is actually the campaign manager for one of the candidates running for district 4, personally informed me that "the county has nothing to do with PGV." I was utterly astonished by her statement, especially since she was once a Puna councilwoman and is fully aware that the county is significantly involved and issues permits to PGV. It's all very strange to me and completely bewildering . -Jasmine Steiner KahuPuna

This positions the County as a defendant in significant community lawsuits. Organizations such as the Puna Pono Alliance and pro se residents, including Sara Steiner, who has persistently filed lawsuits on behalf of the Puna environment—such as the notable Hawaii geothermal injunction and the Geothermal Rulemaking Petition—have initiated legal actions concerning insufficient environmental assessments, absence of contested case hearings, and long-term consequences. These actions include demands for a permanent injunction against further PGV expansion. The injunction appears to be stalled in the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) as they attempt to mislead the Hawaiian people and expedite new geothermal projects across the islands, underscoring ongoing conflicts over transparency and community safeguards.

A committed District 4 councilmember can:

■ Demand county updates and stronger enforcement during litigation.

■ Support independent studies, like the postponed $428,000 water quality study near PGV, which Ashley Kierkiewicz, our current District 4 representative, apparently manipulated since she never intended to pursue it, as she acts in Ormat's interest --> see her expose here :https://wearepuna.wixsite.com/aloha-activism/post/exposing-ashley-kierkiewicz-s-ethical-betrayals-dual-roles-and-puna-s-stolen-recovery-aloha-activi

■ Ensure the County prioritizes resident safety over industry convenience.

Ties That Bind: Politics, PR, and Why Stance Matters:

Past representatives have faced scrutiny over ties to PGV. For instance, former District 4 Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz worked in public relations with PGV-related clients before (and acknowledged during) her tenure, drawing criticism from residents who felt she wasn’t adversarial enough on community concerns

Hawaiʻi Island’s small political world often creates perceived or real conflicts. Geothermal brings royalties to government entities and fits renewable energy goals, but for those living in its radius, the risks—hydrogen sulfide emissions, health questions, cultural impacts, and volcanic hazards—are personal and daily.

This is exactly why candidates must answer questions about their stance on geothermal energy. In the current 2026 District 4 race, many have avoided clear positions due to political sensitivities. But silence isn’t neutral—it leaves Puna families without assurance that their health, homes, and ʻāina will be prioritized. We deserve representatives willing to ask tough questions, demand data, and push for meaningful safeguards, not just rhetoric.

What Real Help Looks Like

An effective District 4 rep will:

Prioritize independent, transparent monitoring of PGV impacts.
Support community input in all permitting and expansion decisions.
Use the County’s leverage in lawsuits and regulatory processes.
Regularly report back to constituents with actionable updates.
Balance broader energy goals with uncompromising protection for Lower Puna.
Not ignore the people of Puna when they ask what their stance is on geothermal, you cannot state that you are for all of Puna if you ignore Puna's most severe issue.

Call to Action: Make Your Voice Count

Puna, this is our kuleana. Attend candidate forums, demand public answers on geothermal, and support those who commit to transparency and accountability. Follow ongoing lawsuits, participate in public comment periods, and stay engaged with county meetings.

Visit wearepuna.wixsite.com/aloha-activism for updates, resources, and ways to get involved. Share your stories out, as often as possible. Please dont worry about irritating people or oversharing. So many more people are rising now, so many are taking a stand against the gaslighting and the severe cover ups happening down here past Pahoa in geothermal radius. It IS time truth and balance is restored to lower Puna. Hold every candidate and elected official to the highest standard—because in District 4, your rep is our strongest tool for change.

Together, we can push for a future where PGV operations (if they really do continue) truly respect the people and place of Puna. Aloha ʻāina means protecting what sustains us.

Share this article. Talk story with neighbors. Vote informed. #AlohaActivism #PunaStrong #WeArePuna

Jazzy

KahuPuna

Aloha Activism

LERZ Puna News Weekly

#aolepgv #aolegeothermal #Hawaiipolitics