The recent push for new leadership in the community board of Leilani Estates brings vital discussions to the forefront about our neighborhood’s future. Given our unique environmental circumstances, particularly concerning volcanic safety and air quality, this is a critical moment for residents to consider what is truly important. As we reflect on the needs of our community, two pressing issues rise above the rest: air quality monitoring and emergency preparedness.
This post will examine the impacts of geothermal activity on our homes, the need for effective emergency plans, and the crucial role we all play in keeping Leilani Estates safe.
The Need for Air Quality Monitoring
One of the most pressing questions among residents is the lack of air quality monitoring in Leilani Estates. Considering our history with volcanic eruptions, it is essential that the new community board makes independent air quality monitoring a top priority.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, volcanic eruptions can release harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, potentially leading to serious respiratory issues. For instance, after the 2018 eruptions, air quality measurements showed elevated levels of these pollutants, which affected many community members. A robust monitoring system could provide real-time updates and alert residents to dangerous air quality levels, empowering them to take necessary precautions.
This is all without the added toxins and cancer causing chemicals that are being injected under our homes in Leilani Estates at a rate of 6 million gallons a day , which makes the air in leilani extremely toxic to human beings and all life. The EPA is being constantly told and reports filed against PGV for its criminal ecocide yet we have not seen any help, still to this day in 2025 !
By investing in an air quality monitoring system, we could ensure proactive measures are in place, safeguarding the health of residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions or sensitivities.
Emergency Preparedness: Learning from the Past
Reflecting on the 2018 volcanic eruption's aftermath, it’s clear that Leilani Estates needs a comprehensive emergency plan. Many residents still feel unprepared as we look ahead to the future, especially given our area's unique volcanic activity.
Puna Geothermal Ventures (PGV) has come under scrutiny for their "well quenching" techniques that have not evolved since 2018. Volcanologists warn that injecting millions of gallons of cold water into a volcanic system risks explosive reactions. In fact, research shows that cooling lava can lead to explosive steam eruptions, which occur in approximately 30% of cases when mixed with water. This highlights an urgent need for a tailored emergency response plan that reflects the complexities of our community’s geography and risks.
Yet not one safety measures or emergency plan in place actually with Leilani Estates Residents.
Community preparedness should not be an afterthought. We must develop a strategic plan that not only details evacuation routes and shelter locations but also prepares residents for potential volcanic activity well in advance.
The Role of the Community Board
The newly elected community board, the LCA, should take an active role in discussing emergency plans with residents. By creating platforms for conversations about geothermal issues and volcanic risks, the board empowers the community to take ownership of its safety. Let's flip the script and actually start facing what's in our yards if we live in Puna geothermal Venture radius.
Experts, such as volcanologists and environmental scientists, can work alongside the board to help residents understand their unique situation and develop practical safety measures. For example, educational workshops on personal safety during emergencies can raise awareness and prepare residents for potential crises, ensuring they know what to do when volcanic activity threatens.
An informed community is a resilient one, equipped to handle challenges with knowledge and resources.
Addressing Misinformation and Ignorance
As discussions around safety and geothermal monitoring continue, we must tackle the misinformation that often clouds these conversations. Dismissing the risks associated with geothermal activity does a disservice to the safety of our community.
For instance, studies indicate that less than 30% of residents are aware of the potential threats posed by geothermal energy in the area. Education is essential to bridging this gap. Open communication channels between the community board and residents can help dispel myths and ensure accurate information is shared.
Creating a culture of understanding will engender a proactive community that acknowledges both the risks and necessary safety measures.
Listening to the Community
One of the new LCA community board's most critical responsibilities will be to listen attentively to residents. Organizing regular town hall meetings and feedback sessions will help ensure that community members can share their insights and concerns.
Transparency in the board's decision-making processes is vital. Clearly presenting plans and keeping residents involved at every step fosters trust and a stronger partnership, as this past years there seems to be mistrust within its own walls. Engaging the community not only builds rapport but also enhances collective problem-solving as we confront shared challenges.
Setting a Vision for the Future
The opportunity lies before the new community board to create an action plan that prioritizes safety and environmental sustainability in Leilani Estates. This plan should include the following key components at the very least:
Air Quality Monitoring: Implement regular, independent air quality assessments to keep residents informed and ensure safety during geothermal events or volcanic eruptions.
Emergency Preparedness Plans: Develop a comprehensive emergency response strategy that equips residents with knowledge and resources to effectively respond to crises.
Puna Geothermal Venture has no response plan at all for the ones living in its radius. Therefore-->
By establishing clear communication and educational initiatives, the board can foster a sense of unity and preparedness across the community.
A Call to Action
As we move toward the election of a new community board, the emphasis on air quality monitoring and emergency preparedness remains pressing. It is crucial for residents to actively participate in local governance. Our neighborhood is our home, and we must work together to protect it.
Here is my personal response on the thread :
Why nothing about the air in leilani and monitoring it privately ?!?!
...Coordinate a actual emergency plan for the residents for the next time 2018 rolls around . Puna geothermal has the same exact "well quenching" procedures they did in 2018.. aka diverting Pele, blowing our neigborhood up via cold water intrusion .. i understand many just mock it but
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand millions of gallons a minute of cold water blasted into all the sideways wells under leilani estates , into a active eruption passing through ( as she had always done safely any time before to get to kumukahi ocean entry) equals boom .
Its one of the things we are headed to supreme court with with all the evidence from actual volcano scientists pinning the exact causes of the explosiveness ..
Back to Pgv having same procedures , even though they know and admit to what they caused (see website or any YouTube videos of the words coming out of theor own mouths who run the plant) they have not one actual community response plan for anyone in leilani estates nor will they ever . We have to care for ourselves. I love all who live in my home as a born and raized leilani keiki 36 years now.
Mocking it laughing at it and ridiculing the ecocide and actual sick diagnosed people from this entity doesn't make it any less true.
Ignorance is not bliss if you live leilani.
Aloha , Jasmine Steiner , born and raised leilani estates
Let us champion change, support our new community leaders, and strive for a future in Leilani Estates that emphasizes safety, resilience, and sustainability. Together, we can face the challenges ahead and emerge stronger as a community.
Jasmine Steiner
KahuPuna
To learn more about this decades long community struggle please see these links below here to some vital articles , or simply exit this blog post to the main blog and scroll to get all the educational materials needed to help the community and people in radius of Puna Geothermal Venture. Mahalo .
https://wearepuna.wixsite.com/aloha-activism/post/unmasking-the-unheard-the-dire-situation-of-the-puna-community-and-the-unregulated-geothermal-permi
https://wearepuna.wixsite.com/aloha-activism/post/unearthing-the-truth-the-ongoing-battle-to-protect-pelehonuamea-and-the-rights-of-kanaka-ʻōiwi
Comments