A Renewable Hawaii

by Kona Johnson, HI

America is increasingly becoming a nation of, by and for big businesses and not the people. An unfair yet undisputed fact in American politics is that money equals power- and unfortunately the big corporations possess more money than anyone else within our nation. As a result, through millions of dollars in lobbying efforts and campaign finance we have seen much needed reforms blocked and big business supporting politicians continuously elected. Specifically and most devastatingly, we have seen little effort at an increase in the innovation of renewable energy sources and self-sustainability. Ralph Nader outlines our dilemma best asserting that, “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun.”

With this in mind we have to look to local sources of renewable energy that can be implemented in order to increase the sustainability of our communities and neighborhoods. One such source of renewable energy that is perfect for Hawaii is wave power.

This untapped source of power is perfect for sustainability efforts in Hawaii because of a plethora of reasons. For one, in areas of high wave and wind activity (like Hawaii) these underwater turbines have proven to be extremely proficient at energy collection. As compared to solar energy, for example, wave power has proven to be more beneficial because it allows for an energy collection during the night and during times of rainy overcast weather (where solar panels don’t). Wave power potential also outweighs wind energy potential because water is 389 times denser than air allowing it to create the same amount of energy with a turbine one-third the size of the average wind turbine. Not only does this decrease in size drastically cut overall costs, but also because these turbines are underwater they receive zero threat from almost all natural disasters.

In north England, one of the few places that wave power is implemented currently; leading scientists estimate that waves alone could potentially power 15-20 percent of the whole UK. Wave technology goes further than simply showing potential though; recently a wave hub- a new device used to transfer wave electricity (much like an extension cable)- was installed along the coastline of Cornwall, England. This simple extension of the wave turbines is estimated to already provide full time electricity for more than 10,000 homes and as a result is also estimated to stop over 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide in the next 25 years.

Fortunately for Hawaii residents one of the few wave power bases in America is located right here on the east side of our island on Makapu peninsula. The base is actually an ideal model of how wave powered outlets should be expanded throughout Hawaii and also how these bases will work. According to Star Bulletin news, “the base is not only super efficient, but as a result it’s windward sides largest employer, where hundreds of civilians work in support of the bases mission to become self sustainable.” Currently one third of the bases power comes from solar and wave energy and according to leaders among the base, they soon hope to become totally self sufficient as well as become providers of energy around Hawaii. Focusing on expanding this marine base and creating wave-powered generators around the island simply makes sense. It’s not something drastically new and labor intensive such as creating plantations of sugar cane to convert to energy and fuel, plus it would be one of the most proficient methods to collect energy. Not only that but, as we can see through the base in Makapu, creating and expanding these wave centers will allow for employment of thousands of citizens- in turn boosting our economic output as well as the intellect and awareness of community members.

America is quickly becoming a nation of, by and for big businesses; renewable energy and self-sustainability will bring it back to the people.