When you think of energy, what might you think of? Solar panels? Electricity, maybe? Plugs, perhaps?

Well, I bet that you wouldn’t think about energy from walking, dancing, and other sources of movement. That’s right, considering that so many people stay active by running, dancing, and walking, a lot of energy can be produced.

So, you might be wondering, how can this energy be harnessed?

Kinetic pads might be the future of energy production, because they can harness 5 to 30 percent of the energy from footsteps and other sources of motion.

This means that there is definitely more energy wasted than created, but there is still a lot of energy created.

For example, one step on a Kinetic pad can generate enough energy to light a street light for 30 seconds.

Just think about it: if we put Kinetic pads on the sidewalks of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, we could generate a whole lot of energy, considering the huge amounts of foot traffic in that area.

According to a study by Laurence Kemball-Cook of Pavegen, he received over 250,000 footsteps from an outdoor festival, which generated enough energy to charge 10,000 mobile phones.

At an exhibit at the 2012 London Olympics, 12 Kinetic pads generated an average of 966 watts per hour.

Also, 25 square meters of Kinetic energy pads harnesses about 1,400 kW a day in a subway in Tokyo, Japan.

If Kinetic pads can generate this amount of energy in London and Tokyo, just imagine the potential if Hawaii had these Kinetic pads!

Not only are Kinetic pads useful for collecting energy, they are eco-friendly as well.

The top surface of the flooring unit is made from 100 percent recycled rubber and the base is constructed from over 80 percent recycled material.

With the use of recycled materials, it would cost no more than $5,000 per pad. This might seem like an investment, but keep in mind that it will generate energy, which can power up houses, hotels, buildings, streetlights, and more, which would otherwise cost big bucks.

Our generation wants to do something to help address global warming, and Kinetic pads can be an unconventional, but effective technique.

When we grow up, we will not grow up in a smog-filled, polluted world. Kinetic pads are an easy way to harness energy by still living the same lifestyles we are living now.

Kinetic energy pads are the future of a new energy source. Let’s let Hawaii be the first state to use Kinetic energy pads. Let’s lead the way to a new green, positive future.

About the authors: Kaimi Dunaway, Harrison Lyckman, Micah Nishimoto and Austin Tsuhako are eighth-grade students in Leah Anderson’s Social Studies class at Punahou.

Community Voices aims to encourage broad discussion on many topics of community interest. It’s kind of a cross between Letters to the Editor and op-eds. This is your space to talk about important issues or interesting people who are making a difference in our world. Columns generally run about 800 words (yes, they can be shorter or longer) and we need a photo of the author and a bio. We welcome video commentary and other multimedia formats. Send to news@civilbeat.com.