Energy Independence for you Kama'aina....

[MsTryska]

So i was sitting here thinking about Brazil and there energy independence fueled by Sugar Cane.

And also the relative efficiency of converting sugar cane to ethanol.


Since the only places I can think of that grow/grew sugarcane in the states are hawaii and parts of the gulf coast, and I have this pet green fantasy about ethanol (and other renewable fuels) produced regionally to support regions, it got me thinking.

If all other obstacles were pushed out of the way, would it be possible for Hawaii to gain complete energy independence based on sugar-cane ethanol?

A couple of things that are going through my head - it would help the local economy, and the local envionment. And it would lower y'alls gas prices.

on the negative side - it can be back-breaking labor (altho i'm not sure if harvest is automated now) and i'm not sure if there are old cultural wounds with Hawaiian Sugar Cane plantations.


what are y'all's thoughts?

[oasis]

1. Our sugar cane industry moved to the Phiillipines and Taiwan 20 years ago.

Cheap labor.:-(

[MsTryska]

2. i know...but i'm thinking

why not bring it back, but for ethanol for the islands, and not for sugar for export?

[oasis]

3. A lot of cane land has gone to housing developmment. We'll see if

someone in the state legislature proposes something later on. :shrug:

[MsTryska]

4. ah...well that is a problem.

i don't know about your state legislature, but i don't have much faith in the lawmakers in this country.


they seem to only think in one modality.

[KamaAina]

5. Gee, for a second there I thought you meant just for me!

:-)

So, you know what kama'aina means AND how to catch a string of Mardi Gras beads. Definitely my kind of person. Speaking of which, as a planner yourself (I remember everything about DUers, especially female ones :-) ), have you been following the planning process in N.O.? The neighborhood ass'n featuring our very own funkybutt will be unveiling its Harvard-assisted (I offered my Y'85 self, but...) plan within days:

http://www.broadmoorimprovement.com/

and then next Saturday the 20th seems to be a sort of "Planni Gras" or "Plan Fest" in neighborhoods all over town, including this one where I have been serving as an unofficial planning dilettante:

http://www.pnola.org

More:

http://neighborhoodsplanning.com/

Back to the energy thing: I've always wondered why it is necessary to grow a crop for biofuel when the islands are awash in "greenwaste" to the point where, on O'ahu at least, disposing of it has become a fairly major issue. I know researchers are looking into cellulose-to-ethanol, but wouldn't methanol be easier, as well as being a really good fuel (as in top-fueled dragsters)? Oh, right, some Bush** Pioneer probably owns the rights to ethanol or something. :eyes:

[MsTryska]

6. *lol* sup KamaAina!

of course I know the meaning of Kama'aina!

actually i'm gonna be in Hawaii in September - 5 days on Oahu, 3 days on BI - we should totally hang out!


and i'm not a planner - just work for a planning agency, but good memory anyways - ;-)

Thanks for the links - i haven't been following what's going on in N.O but I am going to catch up now. it jsut seemed like everything was at a standstill. I'll report back after checking your links.

I actually have never thought of Methanol - it can be used for fuel too? If so that does make things easier. And i am absolutely positive soem Pioneer owns the rights to ethanol - Corn Ethanol anyway. that's why they are stuck on stupid.


anyways - let me check the links and I'll get back to you!

[MsTryska]

7. Well now - let's see....

I just checked out the Broadmoor powerpoint presentation. And I dig what they are trying to do there. Love the Community Area, and the greenspace planning, as well as the bike paths.

I guess my question is where the funds come from? City, State, Feds?


And the PNola site is cool too - i like the idea of a permanent Jazzfest location with stuff around it, that can serve double-duty for a farmers market. That's pretty cool.

I'm still concerned about housing though - If they're doing what we do here in Atlanta, and price folks out of the neighborhood and put up fancy-schmancy new Mixed Use Condo developments, that's not gonna be so useful.