2016-03-03 Hearing Transcript - Update Puna Pono Alliance et al GAF Claim

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th up the process of the study. That was my understanding of what happened on the March 5 meeting. Then, surprisingly, nothing moved until here we are 14 months later with no progress. Why has this happened? It sure smells of something not pleasant. I don’t—I think almost anyone who reflects upon this situation would come up to the same conclusion. It does not smell right. Instead of the study being speeded up, it stalled. Why? With the testimony from the public all in favor of the study, and with the unanimous vote of the Commissioners, you would think that there should be no problem. Isn’t it the job of the staff to carry out the wishes of the public and the unanimous vote of the Commission? Maybe I’m too simplistic, but to me, that’s the way I see it. th So, in conclusion, I urge you, Commissioners, to return to the decision made on January 8, 2015, in favor of the study, and to fund the study from the Geothermal Asset Funds. Staff’s role is to figure out how to implement your decision. If it means bringing the claims adjuster here in the meeting so you can figure it out together, then do it, but it should not take one more month to figure out. Thank you very much. HEAUKULANI: Thank you, Kahu. Commissioners, any questions for these testifiers? Thank you. Is there anyone else that has not testified that wishes to be heard on this matter? You wish to testify, sir? ALEXANDER (from audience): Yes. All right— HEAUKULANI: Could you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that what you say to this Commission is going to be true and correct? ALEXANDER: Yes, I do. HEAUKULANI: Could you state your name for me and tell me where you’re from? ALEXANDER: My name is Gary Alexander, and I’m from Kapoho here on the Big Island. HEAUKULANI: Thank you, Mr. Alexander. You’re doing a great job speaking in the microphone. Continue that, and you’ve got three minutes to tell us what’s on your mind. ALEXANDER: Well, now I’d just like to say that I worked with the legal teams on the first three lawsuits pertaining to geothermal development. One, the first was Aluli vs. the Department of Health pertaining to ambient air quality. The second was Emily Naole vs. Campbell Estate and the State of Hawaiʽi for the land exchange. And, the third was with Ken Krause in relation to the blowout for personal injury. And, what I found in travelling to California to the largest geothermal electrical power generating area in the world, The Geysers, from the California Air Resources Board, the Governor of the State of California, the California Energy Commission, and the Air Quality Management District office in Lake County where The Geysers exist, is that there is no reason in 24 EXHIBIT E