Cultural relativity of impact assessment: Native Hawaiian opposition to geothermal energy development

Development of the “renewable “ energy resource known as geothermal energy is touted as offering the promise of energy independence and economic development for the “Big Island” of Hawai'i and, by virtue of an undersea transmission cable, to other Hawaiian islands. However, the proposal to implement this project has met with continuing opposition from Native Hawaiians who are followers of the goddess Pele. This article proposes that the conflict over geothermal energy development represents two belief systems holding opposing views of the environment. Western attitudes toward nature regard the environment as a series of natural resources to be managed. In contrast, Native Hawaiian beliefs regard nature as sacred. Specifically, geothermal energy development threatens perhaps the most sacred space in all Hawaii, the home and body of the fire goddess Pele. The lengthy administrative proceedings in this matter are instructive of the marginalisation of native peoples and their difficulty in gaining recognition...

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