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Finance committee advances geothermal exploration funding after heated public opposition and calls for delay
Summary
The committee recommended passage of SB 1269 (SD1 HD2), a bill to fund geothermal resource exploration and related activities, after testimony that ranged from technical support to sharp opposition citing environmental, health and cultural concerns; amendments and reservations were noted during the committee vote.
The House Committee on Finance voted to advance Senate Bill 1269 SD1 HD2, which would provide state funding to support geothermal resource exploration, research and development, and related programs. The hearing featured both support from energy and economic development groups and strongly worded opposition from community members, cultural practitioners and environmental advocates.
Supporters, including Ulupono Initiative, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and other industry groups, said the measure would fund exploratory studies needed to assess geothermal potential across the islands. “If the funds are available, we’d like to see this program funded at a much higher rate,” Micah Munekata of Ulupono Initiative said, urging a larger appropriation to comprehensively study resources statewide.
Opponents raised safety, environmental and cultural objections. “Please do not appropriate taxpayers’ dollars on a bill that does not guarantee sustainable energy with geothermal exploratory drilling,” Terry Napiahi of Pele Defense Fund testified, citing past failed projects and potential cultural impacts near sacred areas. Napiahi referenced the need for environmental review processes including an environmental impact statement and Section 106 historic‑preservation review and warned of litigation risks tied to religious practices protected under the Hawaii Constitution.
Several island residents and community groups described past air‑quality incidents tied to geothermal operations and the community stress from prior events. Tara Rojas and other testifiers from Puna and other communities said residents had experienced harmful emissions and urged the committee to stop or defer the bill until studies and community protections were in place. Additional testimony urged strong community oversight and tribal/kanaka consultation.
Proponents argued the bill is primarily about exploration and planning, not automatic project approvals. Industry testimony emphasized that exploratory work would be transparent and subject to federal and state environmental review and would not obligate the state to permit or build power plants without additional approvals.
Committee members discussed the balance between energy development and local concerns. Some members signaled support for moving the bill forward to allow studies to proceed, while others recorded reservations noting potential risks and the need for stronger community protections. The committee advanced SB 1269 with the recommendation to pass unamended and noted at least one reservation on the record.
The bill will move to the next stage; any appropriation and project approvals would be subject to later legislative and administrative review, required environmental reviews, and potential legal challenges.
Speakers urged the Legislature to consider funding levels large enough to conduct a thorough island‑wide study and to ensure avenues for meaningful community input and cultural protections before any drilling or development occurs.
