In his recent Community Voices piece, “Hawaiʻi’s Clean Energy Future Can’t Ignore LNG,” Minh Duc Nguyen makes a strong case for using liquefied natural gas as a transitional fuel in Hawaiʻi’s shift toward renewables. He points out its relative cleanliness compared to low sulfur fuel oil, its cost advantages, and its compatibility with future hydrogen infrastructure.

I appreciate Nguyen’s thoughtful tone and data-driven perspective, especially since Hawaiʻi urgently needs to rethink how it produces energy. But LNG, even as a “bridge fuel,” still locks us into dependence on imported fossil fuels and exposes us to price shocks from global markets. More importantly, it conflicts with Hawaiʻi’s deeper responsibility to care for our ʻāina and future generations.

The real question we should be asking is this: How can Hawaiʻi use its natural resources sun, wind, geothermal and even agricultural waste to power itself sustainably?

Ideas showcases stories, opinion and analysis about Hawaiʻi, from the state’s sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea or an essay.

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Solar and wind power are already proven paths forward. With our abundant sunlight and trade winds, we can generate significant clean energy right here at home. These technologies are getting cheaper every year, and battery storage keeps improving. While challenges remain with land use, grid stability, and community acceptance, these can be solved through careful planning and investment.

Hydrogen fuel also deserves serious attention. Unlike LNG, hydrogen can be produced domestically from renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Once produced, it can be stored, transported, and used to fuel vehicles or generate electricity.

It also complements intermittent renewables because excess solar or wind energy can be converted into hydrogen rather than wasted. Investing in green hydrogen would move Hawaiʻi toward true energy independence instead of temporary fixes.

Geothermal energy is another promising solution, though not without controversy. Past conflicts, especially in Puna, showed the risks of developing projects without listening to local communities or respecting cultural concerns.

But geothermal has the potential to provide consistent, baseload power something solar and wind cannot always deliver. If we approach geothermal with transparency, strong safeguards, and deep community engagement, it could play a role in reducing our reliance on imports.

Beyond these well-known sources, we should also look at innovative uses of biomass and agricultural byproducts. I’ve spoken with local farmers and land stewards about the idea of turning green waste and crop residues into fuel for generators or biochar to restore soils. This kind of community-based approach would not only provide renewable energy but also strengthen local agriculture and waste management.

Research into hydrogen sulfide conversion offers another exciting possibility. At geothermal sites, hydrogen sulfide is a harmful byproduct. But scientists are now exploring ways to capture it and convert it into hydrogen fuel. If this research moves forward, it could turn a pollution challenge into a renewable energy opportunity right here in Hawaiʻi.

All of these options remind us that Hawaiʻi does not lack resources. What we need is political will, bold investment, and policies that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term cost savings. LNG might seem convenient now, but it delays the transition we must make and keeps us tied to the same global energy system that has failed Hawaiʻi for decades.

Energy policy is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about who we are as a people. In Hawaiian culture, aloha ʻāina means love for the land a value that calls us to live in balance with our environment and take responsibility for future generations. Choosing fossil fuels, even “cleaner” ones, goes against this principle. Choosing renewables, hydrogen, geothermal, and biomass aligns with it.

So the real choice before us is this: Will we invest in imported LNG that benefits global corporations, or will we build a resilient, community centered energy system rooted in aloha ʻāina? Hawaiʻi has the chance to lead the world in showing how an island community can break free from fossil fuels and chart a truly sustainable future.