KahuPuna's Testimony Opposing HB 1307; Geothermal Exploration funding (crazy. they are trying to get 20mil to continue desecration DURING the ACTIVE INJUNCTION LOL) * submitted 02102025 at 130pm *

Testimony Opposing HB 1307: Geothermal Exploration Funding

Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and members of the Committee . My name is Jasmine Steiner, and I am a lifelong resident of Puna, Hawaii, born in 1988 and raised in a sunken acre basically at the base of Puna geothermal Venture on Mohala street in Leilani estates. I stand in strong opposition to HB 1307, which proposes allocating $20 million for geothermal exploration on Hawaiian Home Lands.

This bill is deeply troubling for several reasons, and I speak not only for myself but for a large portion of our community who have suffered the consequences of unregulated geothermal activity for decades.

A major concern of mine, and many, is the claim that this funding is necessary for the delivery of Hawaiian Home Lands. This is a false choice. It pits the legitimate need for land against the very health and well-being of our community. This is unacceptable. We should not have to sacrifice our health and cultural heritage for the promise of land. There are other, more sustainable and culturally appropriate ways to address the land needs of native Hawaiians.

My personal experience with geothermal’s detrimental effects is profound. My father suffers from 90% mercury poisoning, a direct result of the toxins released by the nearby geothermal plant. I myself have been diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, and my child has had to withdraw from public school due to the toxic air caused by geothermal emissions. These are not isolated incidents. Many in our community experience similar health issues, yet our cries for help have been largely ignored.

Furthermore, this exploration, which involves drilling and fracking on an active volcano, is a direct affront to our cultural beliefs and practices. It is a desecration of Pele's domain and a blatant disregard for the ‘aina that sustains us. How can we, as children of Hawaii, condone such disrespect for our land and our cultural heritage?

Beyond the cultural and health impacts, the environmental consequences are equally alarming. Geothermal operations threaten endangered endemic species within critical habitats. This pursuit of energy at the expense of our unique and fragile ecosystem is short-sighted and irresponsible.

I also want to emphasize that our community is currently engaged in an unprecedented legal battle, with an injunction against geothermal operations headed to the Supreme Court. For this committee to even consider allocating funds for further exploration while this legal challenge is ongoing demonstrates a shocking disregard for the concerns of the people. It is a slap in the face to those of us who have been fighting for environmental justice for generations.

Due to the ongoing struggles the Hawaiian community is already dealing with due to 40 years of purposefully unmonitored toxic geothermal, I actually have a community organization start-up named KahuPuna, which works very hard 24/7 advocating for accurate geothermal education and supporting the people in the community who are completely concealed and covered up who have been seeking help for generations regarding this. We have witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of geothermal development, and we cannot allow further desecration of our land and harm to our people. Currently my goal is a small air monitoring hub and communication hub for disaster response in geothermal radius on the Puna coast. Its a very dangerous environment which cannot be dismissed and ignored any longer as you try to fund MORE.

Finally, I urge you to consider the ethical implications of this bill. We, the people of Hawaii, have repeatedly voiced our opposition to geothermal expansion. We have shared our stories of suffering and loss. We have demanded that our voices be heard. It is your kuleana, your responsibility, as representatives of the people, to listen to our concerns and act in our best interests. We are not your personal piggy banks. You work for us.

NO CONSULTATION WITH THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII AT ALL as they pass this up the ladder. Not one thing until they are already doing it. as usual .

Therefore, I implore you to reject HB 1307. Choose the health of our community, the preservation of our culture, and the protection of our environment over the profits of a few. Choose Aloha ‘Aina. Choose justice.

I am looking forward to seeing you folks in these seats do the right thing. It sure seems to be criminal at this point.

#AOLEPGV #PGVINJUNCTION2024

Thank you.

Jasmine Steiner

KAHUPUNA

Aloha Activism

wearepuna@gmail.com