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KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — The University of Hawaii is backing out of geothermal research projects on Hualalai while a lawsuit brought by groups opposing the exploration is pending.
The university is asking the state to cancel the exploration permits it received last year to conduct a geothermal survey of 19 parcels of agricultural land. THe request submitted to the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources cites funding troubles and loss of key staff, West Hawaii Today reported (http://bit.ly/24mOvUB).
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources contracted the university in June 2014 to conduct the surveys. The state exempted the project from an environmental assessment because of the location of the 19 parcels.
The Pele Defense Fund, the Puna Pono Alliance and several Hawaii residents sued the state last year claiming the survey would impact the culture and nature of Hualalai.
Donald Thomas, director of the university's Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, previously said that an archaeological site survey found no cultural resources. He could not be reached for comment Friday.
The university pulling out of the geothermal research represents a victory for the Pele Defense Fund, but the case may not be settled, said the group's vice president, Terri Napeahi.
"However, we suspect that down the road it may resurface," Napeahi said. "To tell the truth, I'd rather go to court. What's to say they don't come back again later? They've been doing this for 40 years."
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Information from: West Hawaii Today, http://www.westhawaiitoday.com
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