A piece by Robert Rapier and Kū‘oko‘a Chairman Richard Ha:

Over the past decade, world oil prices have advanced from approximately $25 per barrel to more than $100 per barrel. Had the price of oil merely kept pace with inflation, the $25 barrel in 2000 would have been worth just over $30 in 2010. Thus, there was a fundamental shift in the oil markets.

By 2005, the idea that the price increase was being caused by oil depletion – commonly referred to as “peak oil” – was receiving widespread attention. While some dismissed the idea of peak oil, instead offering up speculation, OPEC, growth in developing countries, or other geopolitical factors as the primary factors behind the advance in prices – oil production remained flat despite record high oil prices.

Continued at Civil Beat...

Exceprts:

A revival of interest in geothermal energy brought key players to Waimanalo on Saturday to address the heavily Native Hawaiian community on the benefits of the renewable energy source.

Business plans were pitched as speakers warned of a looming energy crisis due to the state’s 90 percent dependency on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs.

Kuokoa’s plan, which Peck pitched to a half-full auditorium, includes a major role for geothermal, bringing the energy from the Big Island to Oahu, and possibly Maui, via undersea cables. Such was the plan 30 years ago.

The company also wants to take the publicly traded HECO private, which it says will allow for greater flexibility in transitioning to clean energy. Peck said Kuokoa would retire the oil-fired generators, in which billions have been invested, and absorb the loss.

Read the full story at Civil Beat.

Part 1: Trying to be Safe by Doing Nothing is No Longer Safe
Part 2: Expensive Electricity Threatens Hawaii's Food Security
Part 3: What Works, Works

Click here to see the full recap in our newsletter

From Civil Beat:

Hawaii's near total dependence on oil to power its homes, businesses and transportation needs is putting the state's economy and security in a perilous position, leaders of the renewable energy sector say... 

...read the recap of the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Expo and Summit at Civil Beat.

From Civil Beat:

“This will not work, this moving Hawaii into a position of leadership and saving Hawaii from its terrible energy dependence — it will not work without decisive action,” said Woolsey. “One can’t halfway do it.”

Read "Civil Beat: James Woolsey on Kuokoa, Hawaii's Energy Options"

Greentech Media: James Woolsey on Sept 11, Islam, Oil, and Hawaii: The former CIA Director speaks on the anniversary of the World Trade Center bombing.

From Civil Beat's "Kuokoa Board Members Headline Hawaii Energy Conference":

Two out of the six plenary speakers for a state energy conference expected to draw leaders from more than 20 countries are high-profile board members of Kuokoa.

Quoting Kū‘oko‘a President Ted Peck:

"It's not us versus them. It's about what is the better idea and what is the best thing for us as a state, and really a realization of how close to the precipice we are."

Read the whole story on Civil Beat.