Is It “Pele’s Breath” or “Toxic Emissions”? You Can’t Have It Both Ways
“If you worship Pele, don’t demonize her breath when it’s politically convenient.”
When Pele Speaks, Why Do You Call It Pollution?
Let’s be honest: when Kīlauea erupted in 2018, it released immense amounts of vog and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Residents struggled to breathe, some evacuated, and schools closed. Yet, the same voices who cry “toxic emissions” when a geothermal plant releases a trace of H₂S during maintenance were silent then. Why the double standard? Because the gas came directly from Pele, not a utility pipe. We ask: Is Pele’s breath sacred or toxic? You can’t have it both ways. If you believe in Pele, why describe her heat, vapor, and exhalation as “poison”?
The Hypocrisy is Loud
Consider the inconsistency:
- Pele vents sulfur gases during a lava flow: “Her breath. A sacred sign.”
- A geothermal well vents the same gases from the same earth: “Toxic emissions! Shut it down!”
You claim to protect culture, but you’re twisting it to fit a political agenda. You honor a volcano goddess but oppose tapping into the volcanic system for community energy. You accept her destructive flows, yet fear her gases when they come from a well instead of a fissure. This isn’t devotion; it’s selective outrage driven by fear and misinformation.
Let’s Get Real About the Science
Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a natural volcanic gas, present in geothermal areas with or without power plants. The key difference? Geothermal facilities like PGV monitor, control, and report these emissions
Kīlauea does not. During eruptions, thousands of tons of SO₂, CO₂, and H₂S are released unfiltered. No one sues Pele or calls for the volcano to shut down. This gas is a natural byproduct of the powerful energy beneath our feet; the difference lies in the narrative, not the chemistry
You Can’t Weaponized Culture Against Progress
Some are using culture not as a guide, but as a weapon. They oppose geothermal not due to safety concerns (data proves otherwise), but because it challenges a romanticized view of Hawaiian identity that resists all change. Our ancestors led change, they didn’t resist it. If you truly believe in Pele, you should believe she gave us this energy for a reason. You can’t chant to her at sunrise and then sue those who tap into her warmth by sunset.
Final Word: Consistency Is Culture
Culture embodies values, integrity, and truth. You cannot protect Hawaiian identity through fear-based doublespeak. You can’t call one breath of Pele sacred and another toxic simply because it flows through a pipe instead of a crater. To truly live with aloha ʻāina, we must acknowledge when our own inconsistencies are the real source of pollution. Pele doesn’t contradict herself; people do.
Power for the People. Power from the People. Power by Pele.
Let’s stop politicizing Pele and start building energy systems that respect her, use her gifts wisely, and empower our people with pride.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Geothermal plants monitor and control gas emissions like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which is a natural volcanic gas. While volcanic eruptions release massive, unfiltered amounts of these gases, regulated geothermal facilities manage them responsibly.
Geothermal energy comes directly from Pele's heat, her inherent power. Utilizing this gift responsibly for community energy demonstrates respect for her power and her provision, reducing reliance on external, often polluting, energy sources.
The hypocrisy lies in selectively deeming volcanic gases "sacred" when naturally vented from a fissure, but "toxic emissions" when the same gases are released in a controlled manner by a geothermal well, despite their identical chemical composition.
Educate yourself and others on the science of volcanic gases and geothermal energy. Encourage honest dialogue that prioritizes data and cultural integrity over political convenience or misinformation.
Start with education. Share blogs like this one. Support leaders and policies that put Hawaiian voices at the center of clean energy development. Respect, learn, and act.
