HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-27 Letter to Danny Karpf re students letters relating to use renewable energy w�v or
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Harry Kim
Mayor -'T•r.
Barbara J.Kossow
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25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
June 27, 2019
Mr. Danny Karpf
Head of School
Rodelph Sholom School
168 West 79' Street
New York, NY 10024
Dear Mr. Karpf:
Our office received a letter from three fifth grade students of your school on June 25,
2019, appealing to the County of Hawaii to use renewable energy.
The students, Alik, Jack and Joshua, specifically asked that Hawaii County use
geothermal energy. I am happy to report that our island has a facility, Puna Geothermal
Venture, which at peak capacity provides one-third of our island's electric power. The Kilauea
eruption in 2018 threatened the facility, and it was shut down amid safety concerns. Now that
the threat of inundation has ended, the privately-owned geothermal facility is gearing up to
resume operations.
Your students may be aware that solar power use in Hawaii is the highest per capita in
the United States, and our Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority on our island's west
side is a leader in use of deep ocean water power generation. Wind power pumps our County's
water wells in Waikoloa, and privately-operated wind turbines are in use in other strategic
locations where wind is consistent.
I appreciate the concern for the future of our planet expressed by your students,
embodied by Tikkun Olam—the desire to repair the world, and I want you to know that we in
Hawaii County share that desire to make the world a better place. Please convey our response
to your students' letter in any way you see fit.
Aloha
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer