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The 55-Year Geothermal Fight on Hawaiʻi Island: A Battle to Protect Madame Pele and Native Hawaiian Sovereignty



For over half a century, Native Hawaiians and residents of Hawaiʻi Island have stood united in a fierce struggle against geothermal development, a practice many consider a profound desecration of Tūtū Pele, the revered Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire.


Pele, known as "She who shapes the sacred land," is not merely a mythological figure but a living, sacred force who embodies the mana (spiritual power) of Kīlauea and the volcanic landscapes of Hawaiʻi. Drilling into her domain is seen as a violation of cultural and spiritual laws, or kanawai, that govern respect for this sacred ʻāina (land). Despite decades of opposition, recent geothermal agendas, driven by entities like Waika Consulting and supported by state initiatives, threaten to escalate this conflict, raising questions about cultural respect, environmental justice, and foreign profiteering.


This blog delves into the history of this fight, the current push for geothermal expansion, the role of Waikā Consulting, and the ongoing resistance by Native Hawaiians to protect their sacred lands.


A 55-Year Struggle to Protect Pele


The geothermal fight on Hawaiʻi Island began in the 1970s when the state first drilled exploratory wells in Puna, near Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, to harness volcanic heat for electricity. From the outset, Native Hawaiians opposed these efforts, citing the spiritual significance of Pele’s domain.


Volcanic lands, marked by steam, sulfur, and seismic activity, are kapu (sacred) and protected under traditional Hawaiian law. Drilling, as articulated by cultural practitioners, trespasses on Pele’s kanawai, constituting a desecration akin to violating a sacred temple.(https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainability/articles/10.3389/frsus.2024.1443407/full)


In the 1980s and 1990s, opposition intensified as projects like the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) emerged. The 1990 protest at Wao Kele o Puna, a sacred lowland rainforest and Pele’s forest, saw over 1,000 people march against drilling, with kūpuna (elders) arrested for defending the ʻāina. My ohana was there , I was a toddler.


Community concerns back then, and still to this day in 2025, extended beyond cultural desecration to environmental and health risks, including hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) leaks from PGV, which caused respiratory issues, nausea, and other health problems in Puna. A 1991 well blowout lasting 31 hours underscored the dangers, leading to evacuations and fines from the Environmental Protection Agency (yet nothing was ever corrected by pgv and they continue to harn the community and land daily. https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/geothermals-second-chance/


Despite these setbacks, the state and private developers persisted, often ignoring Native Hawaiian cultural concerns. Palikapu Dedman, president of the Pele Defense Fund, has criticized environmental studies for neglecting Native Hawaiian practices, focusing instead on "birds, bees, and bugs." The fight has continued through legal battles, protests, and community advocacy, with Native Hawaiians asserting that geothermal development violates their spiritual beliefs and ancestral rights to the land.

(https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/hawai%25CA%25BBi-wants-more-geothermal-power-plants-but-doesnt-yet-know-where/)


Current Geothermal Agendas: A New Push for Expansion


In 2025, geothermal development is once again at the forefront of Hawaiʻi’s energy agenda, driven by the state’s goal to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035 for the Neighbor Islands. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO) and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) are spearheading efforts to identify new geothermal sites, with plans to drill test wells and expand production beyond Puna.(https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2025/04/14/hawaii-news/geothermal-power-exploration-building-up-steam/)


The HSEO, backed by $5 million in federal funds, is collaborating with the University of Hawaiʻi Groundwater and Geothermal Resource Center to locate a test well site on Hawaiʻi Island outside Puna by early 2026. The agency has requested an additional $33 million over two years to explore sites on Maui, Oʻahu, and other areas of Hawaiʻi Island. Meanwhile, DHHL is exploring geothermal on its lands in Humuʻula (near Mauna Kea) and Kawaihae (Kohala Mountains), aiming to generate revenue to address a backlog of over 28,000 Native Hawaiian homestead applicants.(https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2025/04/14/hawaii-news/geothermal-power-exploration-building-up-steam/)[](https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/hawai%25CA%25BBi-wants-more-geothermal-power-plants-but-doesnt-yet-know-where/)[](https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/08/21/hawaiian-homes-report-eyes-geothermal-on-maunakea-kohala/)


Legislative efforts, such as Senate Bill 1269, propose $6 million to identify four to eight potential sites, conduct community outreach, and drill test wells. However, these plans face significant opposition due to their perceived insensitivity to Native Hawaiian cultural concerns and the rushed nature of their implementation. Critics argue that the state’s focus on "commercial viability" prioritizes profit over cultural and environmental stewardship. Its also important to note that these bills have not one supporter from the actual community , its all big company's who gain from these agendas.


HB1307 received testimony from the existing royal house of the Hawaiian Kingdom, along with hundreds of Native Hawaiians, opposing geothermal energy. However, this was all disregarded before the creation of SB1269.
HB1307 received testimony from the existing royal house of the Hawaiian Kingdom, along with hundreds of Native Hawaiians, opposing geothermal energy. However, this was all disregarded before the creation of SB1269.


Waika Consulting: A Controversial Player


At the heart of the current geothermal push is Waika Consulting, a firm led by principals including Roberta "Robbie" Cabral and her girlfriend Mililani Trask. Although Trask has stated otherwise, that she is NOT a consultant for Waika, Robbie Cabral is her life partner and mililani trask presents herself in these community meetings to the people as Waika.

Waika consulting meeting geothermal the community , hawaii community college. Trask is left, Cabral is right side. This whole meeting the entire Native community was mocked told to shut up cursed at and belittled by mililani Trask.

Waika consulting is a agenda created entity as a blanket co, since the Puna Geothermal Venture Injunction has been filed against geothermal operations exposing decades of lies to the Hawaiians and the government by israeli ormat agendas (mililani trask herself was flipped 180 by them back in the early 90's . Its why its super hard to hear her lie to the people as if she is not for ormat as she has worked for them all these years and paved the way to our cultiral erasure). It was created to then be played off as some native friendly entity, contracted by the state and DHHL, to facilitate geothermal development, including community outreach and project planning. However, their involvement has sparked outrage among Native Hawaiians, who accuse the firm of fronting Native Hawaiian faces to legitimize a profit-driven agenda that benefits foreign investors.[](https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2023/10/15/opinion/hawaiians-and-geothermal-power/)


Waika’s history includes ties to Huena Power, a failed geothermal project from 2013, and partnerships with New Zealand’s Māori communities for geothermal development. Proponents, including Waika’s Ryan Matsumoto, argue that their model ensures culturally appropriate development and economic benefits for Native Hawaiians, citing Māori successes. Yet, many Native Hawaiians view this as a facade, alleging that Waika’s true aim is to secure contracts for exploratory drilling and pave the way for foreign companies like Ormat Technologies, which operates PGV, to exploit Hawaiʻi’s resources. They have lied to the Hawaiian People at every single meeting .


June 14th NaniMau Gardens waika meeting with the people , they paid cy bridges, malama solomon and a fee other bought and paid for "cultural practitioners " to try to explain to us why its ok that they destroy our lands and continue to desecrate āina . Extremely PILAU. Super AUWE #AOLECYBRIDGES #AOLEMALAMASOLOMON #BARF #ENDTHEDESECRATION

Community members attending Waika’s town halls, which began in May 2025, report hostile treatment (see videos in this blog post and on KahuPuna Aloha Activism YouTube channel) , including being cursed at, yelled at, and told their opinions are irrelevant. These meetings, which Waika has accepted 2.7 million dollars to interact with us the people in, are intended to gather input, but have instead totally and completelt alienated residents, who feel their concerns about Pele’s desecration and environmental risks are dismissed, and actually harmed many more with immense trauma because these meetings are exactly luke any ormat israeli geothermal meeting we've had in the past 40 years : full of gaslighting and the concealment of any truths.


Super super sad 😔 how these top respected activists such as trask have been bought and paid for completely. This was the first waika power for the people hawaii meeting. At hawaii community college.

Waika’s insistence on moving forward despite opposition has fueled accusations of cultural insensitivity and profiteering, with critics arguing that the firm’s Native Hawaiian leadership is being used to mask an agenda that prioritizes foreign profit over local sovereignty


.[](https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/hawai%25CA%25BBi-wants-more-geothermal-power-plants-but-doesnt-yet-know-where/)


The Desecration of Pele: A Cultural and Spiritual Crisis


For Native Hawaiians, geothermal drilling is not just an environmental or economic issue but a profound spiritual violation. Pele, as the creator of the Hawaiian Islands, is a living deity whose domain includes all volcanic activity. Chants and kanawai emphasize the kapu nature of her lands, prohibiting activities that disrupt her sacred spaces. Drilling into the earth is seen as a physical and spiritual assault, akin to "raping" the ʻāina, as Palikapu Dedman has described.



The cultural significance of Pele cannot be overstated. She is not a distant myth but a tangible presence, revered as Tūtū (grandmother) and honored through offerings, chants, and rituals. Many Native Hawaiians believe that past geothermal mishaps, such as the 1991 PGV blowout and the 2018 Kīlauea eruption that covered PGV wells with lava, were Pele’s response to human disrespect. To continue drilling in the face of such signs is seen as reckless and sacrilegious

Uncle Palikapu dedman , Lineage of Madame Pele Hawaiian Volcano Goddess , demanding stufy and the end of the r$pe of his ohana Pele.


The active 2024 Hawaii Geothermal Injunction and Allegations of Criminality


As the state and Waika advocate for new geothermal projects, Native Hawaiians and lifelong residents persist in their struggle, engaging in a groundbreaking legal case climbing appeals court, and currently in intermediate court of hawaii, poised to transform Hawaii's energy landscape and its narratives permanently. The current unprecedented injunction against PGV, backed by groups like the Pele Defense Fund and over a dozen community members, Pele lineage, and volcano scientists, aims to halt geothermal expansion. This action reveals what activists claim are decades of deception and mismanagement. The injunction accuses the state and developers of misrepresenting the safety and cultural and environmental impacts of geothermal energy, disregarding community input, and hastily advancing projects without sufficient environmental or cultural evaluations.


.[](https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2025/04/14/hawaii-news/geothermal-power-exploration-building-up-steam/) ♡♡♡***KEEP IN MIND ANY GEOTHERMAL ARTICLE IN MAUNSTREAM MEDIA OR NEWSPAPERS , IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR . THEY ONLY PRINT PRO GEO STORIES all these links in here are to show you how you the world is being lied too. Its all propaganda-- KahuPuna ***♡♡


The native Hawaiians and Geothermal communities point to a history of regulatory failures, including the repeal of county oversight through Act 97, which stripped local communities of their right to approve or deny geothermal projects. The rapid pace of current plans, despite 55 years of opposition, raises suspicions of criminal intent, with some alleging that state officials and consultants are colluding with foreign investors to exploit Hawaiʻi’s resources for profit. The lack of transparency in Waika’s operations and the state’s funding requests further fuels these concerns. (https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/geothermal-is-a-red-hot-topic/)


Native Hawaiian Opposition: A Unified Front


Despite Waika’s claims of Native Hawaiian support, the majority of Kānaka Maoli remain steadfastly opposed to geothermal development.


Organizations such as the Pele Defense Fund, led by Palikapu Dedman, and individuals like Terri Napeahi, along with the We Are Puna movement spearheaded by Sara Steiner—the Pro Se filer of the historic Hawaii Geothermal Injunction—and her Facebook group A'OLE PGV, as well as myself, her daughter Jasmine Steiner, and my Hawaiian Kingdom community organization KahuPuna, are all dedicated to Tutu Pele and her impact in Puna, Hawaii. (I , the writer of this blog and website owner , am the only person born at the base of Hawaii's sole geothermal plant in 1988 and have lived within its vicinity, experiencing its effects throughout my life up to 2025. No matter how much they lie to you the world as if they have done any health studies or water studies , i am here to assure you they NEVER HAVE and do not plan to ever do this , as it will shut them down .)


Together with thousands of Native Hawaiians, we will persist in advocating for Pele’s protection, issuing Kahea calls, and warning of potential litigation and further protests if drilling continues. Please connect with us on social media.


One things for certain: community testimonies before legislative committees absolutely emphasize the need for culturally sensitive alternatives and greater respect for Native Hawaiian rights, and we will not allow them to continue to erase us all as they have been doingthe past 5 decades in this agenda .[](https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2025/04/14/hawaii-news/geothermal-power-exploration-building-up-steam/)


The opposition is not anti-progress but rooted in a vision of sustainable, culturally appropriate energy solutions. Native Hawaiians argue that solar, wind, and other renewables, when implemented with community input, can meet Hawaiʻi’s energy goals without violating sacred lands, especially since we already can without geothermal energy which only supplies our island with 13 actual percebt energy. This island turns on its lightbulbs due to hamakua wind and solar already as it is.


"The state’s failure to prioritize these alternatives while rushing geothermal development is seen as a betrayal of aloha ʻāina (love for the land)." - Jasmine Steiner KahuPuna


Conclusion: A Call to Honor Pele


The 55-year geothermal fight on Hawaiʻi Island is a testament to the resilience of Native Hawaiians , locals , those born in these lands, and all in between, in defending their cultural and spiritual heritage. As Waika Consulting and state agencies push for new drilling, the desecration of Pele remains a central issue, symbolizing a broader struggle for sovereignty and environmental justice. The hostile treatment of community members, allegations of foreign profiteering, and the ongoing injunction expose a troubling disconnect between developers and the people they claim to serve.


To honor Pele is to listen to the voices of Native Hawaiians, who have fought for decades to protect her sacred domain. It is to prioritize culturally appropriate, community-driven solutions that respect the mana of the ʻāina. As the fight continues, Native Hawaiians and their allies stand firm, chanting Pele’s name not just in protest but in devotion, determined to safeguard their goddess and their homeland for future generations.


Call to Action: Support the A'OLE PGV fb group for daily legal updates , and attend these waika made for media community meetings to amplify Native Hawaiian voices. Demand transparency from Waika Consulting and the state, and advocate for renewable energy solutions that honor Hawaiʻi’s cultural and environmental heritage.


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**Note**: This article reflects the perspectives of Native Hawaiian opponents to geothermal development and allegations against Waika Consulting based on available information and community sentiments. Mililani Trask has publicly denied being a consultant for Waika, though her past involvement in geothermal advocacy and her presence for waika proves otherwise in videos in this article alone. For further details on legislative bills or DHHL plans, visit official state websites or KahuPuna Tik Tok and Instagram for advocacy resources.


Aloha and Mahalo for caring about Hawaii. Subscribe to this blog for more.


Jasmine Steiner

June 25 2025

KahuPuna

Aloha Activism

 
 
 

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