UIPA.org

Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture

Request to:
Hawaii County Department of Public Works
Law used:
State of Hawaii UIPA
Status of this request:
Request partially successful
Refusal Reason
Got 35 pages of permits mostly never approved. No answer to clarification question, will rephrase another request at some point.
Summary of Request
1. A copy of all building permit applications for PGV's two existing "power plants" and all new applications received by County of Hawaii from 1987 to present. 2. A copy of all building permits for PGV's "power plants" issued by the County of Hawaii. .

Messages in this request

From Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa)
Subject Records Request for Hawaii County Department of Public Works: Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture [#1447]
Date June 4, 2025, 11 a.m.
To Hawaii County Department of Public Works
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.
1. A copy of all building permit applications for PGV's two existing "power plants" and all new applications received by County of Hawaii from 1987 to present. 2. A copy of all building permits for PGV's "power plants" issued by the County of Hawaii. .
[... Show complete request text] Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa)
  1. 1 month, 3 weeks agoJune 4, 2025, 11 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) sent a message to Hawaii County Department of Public Works.
From Mendonca, Ashlee – Hawaii County Department of Public Works
Subject Request for Government Records: RFI BLD 25-94
Date June 25, 2025, 9:33 a.m.
Status Awaiting response
Attachments
Good Morning, Ms. Steiner. Please see the attached documents from our Building Division regarding your Request for Government Records, RFI BLD 25-94. Also attached is your original request for Government Records. Thank you, Ashlee Mendonca Administrative Assistant County of Hawai'i, Department of Public Works 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7 Hilo, HI 96720 Direct: 808.961.8783 Main: 808.961.8321 Fax: 808.961-8630 <<email address>> and email address>>
  1. 1 month agoJune 25, 2025, 9:33 a.m.: Received an email from Hawaii County Department of Public Works.
  2. 1 month agoJune 26, 2025, 11:49 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture.
  3. 1 month agoJune 26, 2025, 11:49 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture.
  4. 1 month agoJune 26, 2025, 11:49 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture.
  5. 1 month agoJune 26, 2025, 11:50 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture.
  6. 1 month agoJune 26, 2025, 11:51 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) published an attachment on request Building Permits for Puna Geothermal Venture.
From Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa)
Subject Request for Government Records: RFI BLD 25-94 [#1447]
Date July 1, 2025, 9:40 a.m.
To Hawaii County Department of Public Works
Dear Ashley, I see no building permits for the power plants themselves. One of them is a 12 unit generating plant with 30MW capacity built and opened in 1993. Then around 2014 PGV added an 8MW "bottoming unit" I want a copy of those applications and building permits please!!! ... Sincerely yours Sara Steiner
  1. 3 weeks, 4 days agoJuly 1, 2025, 9:40 a.m.: Sara Steiner (Laulima Pahoa) sent a message to Hawaii County Department of Public Works.
  2. 1 week, 2 days agoJuly 17, 2025, 1:11 p.m.: Hawaii County Department of Public Works answered partially, but denied access to all information on the grounds of Got 35 pages of permits mostly never approved. No answer to clarification question, will rephrase another request at some point..