UIPA.org

$428,000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture

Request to:
Hawaii County Council
Law used:
State of Hawaii UIPA
Status of this request:
Information not held
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 but 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 the grant. b. A copy of all requests for payment and invoices for work performed with this grant. c. A current 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 Council: $428,000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758]
Date July 2, 2026, 11:06 a.m.
To Hawaii County Council
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 but 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 the grant. b. A copy of all requests for payment and invoices for work performed with this grant. c. A current 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. 3 weeks, 3 days agoJuly 2, 2026, 11:07 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) sent a message to Hawaii County Council.
From Tremaine, Sydni K. – Hawaii County Council
Subject RE: Records Request for Hawaii County Council: $428, 000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758]
Date July 2, 2026, 11:35 a.m.
Status Request resolved
Aloha, This is a courtesy email to confirm that our office has received your request. It will be reviewed and processed in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. You will be formally notified once a response is ready or if clarification is needed. Mahalo, Sydni "Ipo" Tremaine (808) 961-8246 Office of the County Clerk 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, Hawaii 96720…
-----Original Message----- From: Sara Steiner < <name and email address> > Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 11:07 AM To: Clerk-Council < <name and email address> > Subject: Records Request for Hawaii County Council: $428, 000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758] 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 but 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 the grant. b. A copy of all requests for payment and invoices for work performed with this grant. c. A current 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. Mahalo, Sara Steiner Laulima Pahoa
  1. 3 weeks, 2 days agoJuly 2, 2026, 11:35 a.m.: Received an email from Hawaii County Council.
From Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa)
Subject RE: Records Request for Hawaii County Council: $428, 000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758]
Date July 20, 2026, 8:18 a.m.
To Hawaii County Council
Dear Sir or Madam, I am still waiting to see the results of my UIPA request. ... Sincerely yours Sara Steiner
  1. 6 days, 3 hours agoJuly 20, 2026, 8:18 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) sent a message to Hawaii County Council.
From Araceley, Relley – Hawaii County Council
Subject RE: Records Request for Hawaii County Council: $428, 000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758]
Date July 20, 2026, 9:42 a.m.
Attachments
Aloha Sara, I apologize for the delay in responding to your request. On July 2, 2026 you submitted your request for various records related to a "$428,000.00 (Res. 443-24) grant to study the water around Puna Geothermal Venture." Unfortunately, our office does not have the records you are requesting. We believe the Hawaii County Department of Finance may have the information you are requesting. The Department of Finance can be contacted at (808) 961-8234. Attached to this email are a copy of your original request and a copy of our Notice to Requester ("NTR") form which details our response. Thank you for your patience and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Mahalo, Mr. Relley Araceley Office of the County Clerk County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 961-8429…
-----Original Message----- From: Tremaine, Sydni K. < <name and email address> > Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 8:39 AM To: Araceley, Relley < <name and email address>> Cc: C lerk- Council <<name and email address> > Subject: FW: Records Request for Hawaii County Council: $428, 000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758] Hi Relley, Requestor is following up on request. Mahalo, Sydni "Ipo" Tremaine (808) 961-8246 Office of the County Clerk 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 -----Original Message----- From: Sara Steiner < <name and email address> > Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 8:19 AM To: Clerk-Council < <name and email address> > Subject: RE: Records Request for Hawaii County Council: $428, 000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture [#1758] Dear Sir or Madam, I am still waiting to see the results of my UIPA request. ... Sincerely yours Sara Steiner
  1. 6 days, 1 hour agoJuly 20, 2026, 9:43 a.m.: Received an email from Hawaii County Council.
  2. 5 days, 5 hours agoJuly 21, 2026, 5:58 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) set status to 'Information not held'.
  3. 5 days, 5 hours agoJuly 21, 2026, 5:58 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture.
  4. 5 days, 5 hours agoJuly 21, 2026, 5:58 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request $428,000.00 Grant to Study Water around Puna Geothermal Venture.