Puna Climate Resilience & Energy Transition Report Prepared by KōCreate Community Leaders for Vibrant Hawaiʻi | June 2026 © 2026 Vibrant Hawaiʻi. Except where otherwise noted, this report and its original content are the intellectual property of Vibrant Hawaiʻi and may not be reproduced, distributed, adapted, published, or used, in whole or in part, without the prior express written permission of Vibrant Hawaiʻi.
I. Executive Summary Energy in Puna is not an abstract policy issue. It is the water that stops running when the power goes out. It is the electric bill that competes with groceries. It is the memory of a neighborhood buried under lava. It is the question of who gets to decide what happens to the land. In April and May 2026, 340 community members from 24 neighborhoods across Puna answered that question in their own words. The survey was developed and administered by KōCreate Community Leaders as part of the Puna Paiāʻala I ka Hala project, a partnership between Vibrant Hawaiʻi, KōCreate, and the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office through UH Sea Grant. This report presents what they shared. The community’s top priority is affordability. Eight in ten participants said affordable energy for every household is what energy success looks like for Puna. Three in four said lower electricity bills would make the most difference if a renewable energy project came to Puna. About 60% are currently concerned about the cost of their electric bill. Connection to the ʻāina is foundational. Nearly nine in ten participants said the land, forests, and natural environment should never be lost or compromised. The most common concerns about energy development centered on harm to sacred places, agricultural land, and the environment. These are not negotiating positions. They are core values. The community wants local control. Community-owned solar and battery storage topped the list of energy types that feel right. Large utility-scale projects controlled by outside companies were among the top concerns. Fifty-three percent said energy decisions should be made by and for Puna, not outside companies. Nine out of ten community members want more information about energy. Most are not familiar with the organizations currently working on energy in Hawaiʻi. Most have never participated in an energy-related activity. The appetite for energy education is broad, practical, and ready to be met. The community is open to participating, but trust has to be earned. Sixty-eight percent said they are willing or open to participating in energy planning. Nearly 100 community members signed up for a community vegetation task force. But most do not feel represented by existing energy organizations, and satisfaction among those who have participated in formal energy processes was mixed.