UIPA.org

$428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal

Request to:
Hawaii County Planning Department
Law used:
State of Hawaii UIPA
Status of this request:
Request partially successful
Refusal Reason
frustration of government for request for all payments from the geothermal asset fund and records not held for reports on water quality paid for by geothermal asset fund
Summary of Request
Back in 2024 the Hawaii County Council voted to establish and fund a $428,000.00 (Res. 443-24) grant to study the water around Puna Geothermal Venture. Puna Council Rep Ashley K received the funds, the residents were supposed to be directly involved but we find nothing has ever happened. 1. Please provide documentation of the $428,000.00 grant, including: a. A copy of the grant specifying where the money came from and who is administering it. b. A copy of all requests for payment and invoices for work performed, including administrative fees. c. A balance total of remaining grant funds and how they will be spent. d. A copy of all water monitoring results from this grant, including locations of wells tested.

Messages in this request

From Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa)
Subject Records Request for Hawaii County Planning Department: $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal [#1773]
Date July 24, 2026, 7:15 a.m.
To Hawaii County Planning Department
Status Awaiting response
Attachments
Aloha, Pursuant to the public records law, I would like to request the following records in electronic format sent to my email address.
Back in 2024 the Hawaii County Council voted to establish and fund a $428,000.00 (Res. 443-24) grant to study the water around Puna Geothermal Venture. Puna Council Rep Ashley K received the funds, the residents were supposed to be directly involved but we find nothing has ever happened. 1. Please provide documentation of the $428,000.00 grant, including: a. A copy of the grant specifying where the money came from and who is administering it. b. A copy of all requests for payment and invoices for work performed, including administrative fees. c. A balance total of remaining grant funds and how they will be spent. d. A copy of all water monitoring results from this grant, including locations of wells tested.
[... Show complete request text] Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa)
  1. 1 month, 1 week agoJuly 24, 2026, 7:15 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) sent a message to Hawaii County Planning Department.
From Johnston, Dawn – Hawaii County Planning Department
Subject UIPA - GRCBF Groundwater Study - Notice to Requester
Date Aug. 24, 2026, 4:22 p.m.
Status Request resolved
Attachments
Aloha Sara Steiner, In response to your Request to Access a Government Record - GRCBF - Groundwater Study, please find attached: · Request-to-Access-a-Government-Record - GRCBF - Groundwater Study · Notice-to-Requester - GRCBF - Groundwater Study · Responsive List - GRCBF - Groundwater Study · Documents listed in attached Responsive List - GRCBF - Groundwater Study This concludes the transmission of documents for this request. Mahalo, Dawn Johnston Administrative Services Officer County of Hawaiʻi, Planning Department <<e mail address>> and email address> > 808-961-8288
  1. 1 week, 5 days agoAug. 24, 2026, 4:23 p.m.: Received an email from Hawaii County Planning Department.
  2. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:29 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  3. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:30 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  4. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:31 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  5. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:32 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  6. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:34 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  7. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:34 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  8. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:44 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  9. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:44 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  10. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:45 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  11. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:45 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  12. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:45 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  13. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:45 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  14. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:45 p.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000 grant to study water near Puna Geothermal.
  15. 1 week, 3 days agoAug. 26, 2026, 3:47 p.m.: Hawaii County Planning Department answered partially, but denied access to all information on the grounds of frustration of government for request for all payments from the geothermal asset fund and records not held for reports on water quality paid for by geothermal asset fund.