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Geothermal Expansion on Hawaii Island Sparks Debate Over Cultural Desecration and Environmental Risks

Updated: Oct 15

HILO, Hawaii – October 9, 2025 – As Hawaii Island advances toward its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045, geothermal development is gaining momentum, currently providing a mere 16% of the island's electricity. However, proposed expansions, including upgrades at the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV), have ignited decades long controversy, particularly over allegations of cultural desecration of sites sacred to Native Hawaiians. Community groups argue that drilling disrupts lands associated with the volcano goddess Pele, while proponents emphasize economic and environmental benefits.


(PRESS VIDEO TO TAKE YOU TO "PELES APPEAL" ) : "In the swirling volcanic steam and misty rain forest of Kilauea volcano's east rift zone on the island of Hawai'i, two forces meet head on. Geothermal development interests, seeking to clear the rain forest for drilling operations, are opposed by native Hawaiians seeking to stop the desecration of the fire goddess, Pele. Pele is a living deity fundamental to Hawaiian spiritual belief. She is the eruption, with its heat, lava and steam. Her family takes the form of forest plants, animals and other natural forces. But geothermal development interests see Pele as simply a source of electricity. When Hawaiians take the issue to court, they find that nature-based religions are not respected by U.S. law. Adding to the issue are environmental concerns over the threat to native species of plants and birds in an island group that is the world capitol for extinct and endangered species. The fact that the geothermal wells are situated on one of the most geologically unstable areas of the planet leads to safety concerns for the surrounding residential communities. Thus the stage is set for one of the most controversial issues ever to rock Hawai'i, an eruption exceeded only by that of Pele, who has been dancing on the east rift zone since the controversy began in 1983. Produced for the Pele Defense Fund as an appeal for help to stop geothermal test drilling in the Wao Kele o Puna rain forest. Featuring Pua Kanahele, Noa Emmett Aluli, Palikapu Dedman, Henry Auwae, Davianna McGregor, Paul Takehiro, Tom Luebben, Alapa'i Hanapi, and Ka'olelo 'Ulaleo."

PGV Repower Project Advances Amid Legal Challenge


The PGV Repower Project, managed by Israeli owned Ormat Technologies, seeks to increase capacity from 38 megawatts (MW) to 46 MW by late 2026, with potential expansion to 60 MW. The initiative involves replacing aging equipment with modern Organic Rankine Cycle converters and drilling new wells, such as KS-22 and KS-21, yet the geothermal plant is standing on decades worth of no permitting as it is. Officials project this will elevate the island's renewable energy share to 68%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower average residential electricity bills by approximately $23 per month for 500 kilowatt-hour usage, which is ofcourse all just propaganda , the narrative they must push to sell you the world this lie.


In August 2025, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved an amended power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric, contingent on a Environmental Impact statement, which has been proven to be fraudulent, yet they still are paving the way for implementation. Site preparations, including land grading and environmental monitoring, are ongoing with no permits, under oversight from the "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" and the state "Department of Health".


However, the project faces a protracted lawsuit filed in April 2024 by Puna resident Sara Steiner (Steiner v. County of Hawaii Planning Department, et al., Civil No. 3CCV-24-0000079). Initially filed in Hawaii's Third Circuit Court in Hilo, the case has now advanced to the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA), where it is experiencing significant delays. Opponents, including 14 community members who joined Steiner in demanding a full trial on her injunction request, accuse the courts of stalling proceedings and throwing their rights to a fair trial in the trash—potentially to facilitate broader geothermal expansion across the island. The suit contests the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) approved in January 2024, claiming it inadequately addresses health risks from hydrogen sulfide emissions and groundwater contamination, seismic hazards in the volcanic rift zone, and—critically—impacts on Native Hawaiian cultural practices.


Image from professor Amelung declaration in the Hawaii Geothermal Injunction proving the fracking cover ups by USGS/HVO under Puna Geothermal Venture in Hawaii.
Image from professor Amelung declaration in the Hawaii Geothermal Injunction proving the fracking cover ups by USGS/HVO under Puna Geothermal Venture in Hawaii.

At the heart of the litigation is the charge of cultural desecration: Critics assert that geothermal extraction violates sacred landscapes revered as Pele's domain, equating industrial drilling to a spiritual assault on ancestral ties to the land. Steiner and supporters argue the FEIS dismisses these profound cultural harms, failing to honor Native Hawaiian protocols and consultations. As of October 2025, the ICA case remains unresolved, with no injunction issued to halt work. A community meeting in Pahoa last August underscored divisions, where residents voiced concerns over long-term health effects and cultural erasure, despite PGV's bought and paid for Israeli assurances of a reduced footprint and enhanced accountability.


Broader State Initiatives for Geothermal Growth


State agencies are exploring additional sites to diversify geothermal production beyond Puna. The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO), in collaboration with the University of Hawaii, plans exploratory drilling with an estimated cost of $50-60 million. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) aims for a 50-100 MW facility, backed by partial 2024 funding of $6 million. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is assessing locations like Humuula on Maunakea, requesting up to $40 million.

Legislative efforts, including bills HB 1020 and SB 1269, propose $33-40 million in additional funding but remain under negotiation.


A $3 million no-bid contract awarded to Waikā Consulting for public education has drawn scrutiny for its expense and alleged bias, with community town halls exposing widespread opposition rooted in cultural desecration fears.


One of the many KahuPuna flyers opposing geothermal desecration and agendas. Find @kahu-puna on Instagram and TikTok for daily expose articles and raw on the ground updates from geothermal radius, who has been living in PGV immediate radius for 37 years.
One of the many KahuPuna flyers opposing geothermal desecration and agendas. Find @kahu-puna on Instagram and TikTok for daily expose articles and raw on the ground updates from geothermal radius, who has been living in PGV immediate radius for 37 years.

Then we also have new created blanket companies pushing foreign geothermal agendas , ones like --> "Pa‘akai Communications": Community Engagement in Hawaii's Renewable Energy Transition


Overview Pa‘akai Communications, a Hawaii-based full-service communications and community relations firm, specializes in strategy, storytelling, outreach, and execution for projects rooted in local values and sustainability. Named after "pa‘akai" (Hawaiian for sea salt, symbolizing transformation, medicine, and preservation), the firm emphasizes collaborative solutions that serve community needs, particularly in environmental and cultural contexts. Its stated to bridge Native Hawaiian perspectives with broader initiatives, focusing on trust-based engagement to address sensitive topics like renewable energy development. https://paakaicommunications.com/


Role in Geothermal and Renewable Energy Outreach In August 2024, Pa‘akai was awarded a $795,000 no-bid contract by the Hawaii State Energy Office #AOLE (under the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, or DBEDT) to lead public outreach and education on the state's transition to renewable energy sources, with a strong emphasis on geothermal potential. This initiative supports Hawaii's goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045 and aims to engage residents before pursuing regulatory approvals for energy projects. The contract requires Pa‘akai to:


  • Conduct community outreach across Maui, Oʻahu, and Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

  • Allocate portions of the funding to local community organizations for grassroots involvement, ensuring diverse voices shape the conversation.

  • Facilitate dialogue on energy needs, including costs, resilience, independence, air quality, and renewables like geothermal, while addressing barriers and cultural concerns.

'a'ole pa'akai 'a'ole geothermal PLEASE stop wasting taxpayer money and filling your pockets for desecration. mahalo #wearepuna #malamaaina
'a'ole pa'akai 'a'ole geothermal PLEASE stop wasting taxpayer money and filling your pockets for desecration. mahalo #wearepuna #malamaaina

As of mid-2025, Pa‘akai's efforts are in early stages, focusing on building awareness and gathering input supposedly, yet no one has seen nor heard of them in the only geothermal community in Hawaii, to "identify potential geothermal sites without committing to development" ( #AOLEPILIKIA !!! ). State officials, including Energy Commissioner Stephen Glick, have stressed the importance of pre-engagement to mitigate opposition, especially on Hawaii Island where past projects have faced protests over cultural desecration tied to the volcano goddess Pele.


Reports Highlight Geothermal's Role, But Concerns Persist


An August 2025 report from the University of Hawaii cautions that excessive dependence on solar, wind, and batteries could compromise energy reliability, advocating for greater geothermal integration, typical fear factor propaganda. The resource is "lauded for its efficiency", requiring 80% less land than solar while yielding more power, which is the typical propaganda fear propagating narrative.




Yet, challenges abound, including site uncertainty and funding shortfalls. Central to the debate is the perceived desecration of culturally significant areas, including Kumukahi , the start of all life traditionally "where all life springs forth", and its healing waters of Kane, which have already been irreversibly poisoned to a point of no return. Native Hawaiian advocates contend that geothermal projects infringe on ancestral lands, equating drilling to an assault on Pele's domain. Opposition groups, such as #AOLEPGV, and Truth for the People Hawaii, have organized forums to amplify these issues, countering promotional narratives of job creation and clean energy. They tell the world its widely accepted and supported yet this couldn't be further from the truth. Local sentiment on Moku o Keawe leans toward resistance, fueled by unverified claims and historical grievances from the 2018 Kilauea eruption that damaged the PGV site.


Economic Contributions Amid Ongoing Tensions


Geothermal royalties for fiscal year 2024 totaled $3.6 million, distributed as $1.8 million to the state, $1.1 million to Hawaii County, and $0.7 million to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawaii Island stands as the state's primary geothermal hub, underscoring its economic stake in the sector. Its all exploitation, desecration and colonization. Hawaii cares for its 'aina, not irriversably destroys it with no replenishment.


Community Engagement and Upcoming Forum


As debates intensify, community involvement is crucial. Truth for the People Hawaii will host its third geothermal forum this Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pahoa Family and Community Center. The event aims to discuss geothermal impacts, including cultural desecration concerns, and foster dialogue among residents. Attendees can register via the Facebook event page or attend directly.


See you this Saturday, October 11th 2025, at the Pahoa Community Center. Aloha Jazzy KahuPuna
See you this Saturday, October 11th 2025, at the Pahoa Community Center. Aloha Jazzy KahuPuna

For court updates, visit the Hawaii State Judiciary’s eCourt Kokua system (Case ID: 3CCV-24-0000079), and also stay informed daily on the 'A'OLE PGV FB group. Stay informed through local Puna sources as this story develops. And please remember, If you are not being shown both sides of this geothermal energy , then you are not being told the truth.




We Are Puna (KahuPuna) is dedicated to amplifying community voices on issues affecting Hawaii Island. Visit wearepuna.wixsite.com/aloha-activism for more.



Please support Sara Steiner, the pro se filer of the groundbreaking 2024 Hawaii geothermal Injunction, during this challenging time. Sara has devoted her life to advocating for the future generations of Puna 'aina and has recently received the heartbreaking diagnosis of aggressive invasive Melanoma (skin cancer #FyouCancer). As a senior citizen, she depends on her community's support, yet she never asks for assistance. Currently, while she is heavily investing in filing new court documents and petitions for future geothermal protocols in Hawaii, she must also travel to Oahu for PET scans, biopsies, and MRIs to assess the spread of her cancer. The stress alone can significantly hinder her healing process, but Sara is resolute in her fight, with her entire community by her side. Every contribution makes a difference. Presently, she is in Oahu with a broken phone and cannot afford a new one, which is essential for her legal work and medical appointments. Due to a recent drought, she hasn't been able to participate in the Kaimu market, which was her daily means of survival. Please help by donating whatever you can to her personal GoFundMe and by sharing it. Mahalo, Jazzy (Sara's daughter, who can't imagine a world without her in it! ) KahuPuna, Aloha Activism #EndGeothermal #MalamaAina #SupportSara


You can support Sara here directly through her GoFundMe here:




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