Approximately 200 members of ILWU Local 142 and other unions gathered on June 3 in support of Honua Ola Bioenergy and to protest the recent decision of the Public Utilities Commission to stop our 99% complete renewable energy plant from operating in Pepe‘ekeo on Hawai‘i Island.
Honua Ola Employees and ILWU Local 142 Members Rally to Protest PUC Decision
Joining the gathering were a contingent of Honua Ola employees and Hawai‘i Island-based ILWU Local 142 members who flew in to participate in the rally and sign waving.
Other unions represented included ILWU International, IBEW 1186, IBEW 1260, Operating Engineers Local 3, Hawaii State AFL-CIO, UFCW Local 480, Laborers Local 368, AFGE, Carpenters Union, Postal Workers Union, and Machinists Union 1998.
The rally was triggered by the PUC’s 2-1 majority decision on May 23 to reject Honua Ola’s power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric. PUC Chair James Griffin, who is leaving his position on June 30, 2022, and Commissioner Jennifer Potter voted against the power purchase agreement. Commissioner Leodoloff Asuncion filed a 20-page dissent in opposition to the majority decision stating that Honua Ola had met its burden for approval based on the requirements established by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court to the PUC.
Warren Lee, president of Honua Ola Bioenergy, expressed gratitude for the support of the unions. “The employees of Honua Ola wanted to be heard. We were willing to have them come over and demonstrate to the PUC that this is important for the economy, jobs, renewable energy, and to combat climate change.”
Chris West, President, ILWU Local 142, commented, “Labor has had an integral part in Hawai‘i, and it’s awesome to see such solidarity today. Honua Ola is providing good-paying jobs for workers and their families. We are here to support local jobs and to keep our families in Hawai‘i.”
Honua Ola expresses our deep gratitude to everyone who came out to show their support! We appreciate the show of solidarity as we fight for local jobs and a balanced renewable energy future for Hawaiʻi.