Earlier this year, Keahole Solar Power (KSP) and Sopogy sponsored a contest for the Hawaiian studies students at Konawaena High School to help us name the world’s first MicroCSP solar farm located at the Natural Energy Laboratories in Kona, Hawaii (Satellite view of the site in early construction: http://tinyurl.com/nuu8on)
This project was a massive undertaking in which we brought new technology to Hawaii to help reduce the State’s 89% dependence on imported fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and create local jobs.
The on-site work included mobilizing over 2oo local workers to assemble over 1,000 solar concentrating collectors, pulling together the engineering and scientific experts in Hawaii to design a system never before attempted in Hawaii and earning the full support of the government both from the Big Island of Hawaii – Hawaii County and the State of Hawaii, Legislature and Governor’s office.
We now ask you to join us in helping select the best name/slogan from the 8 outstanding submissions below. You can begin casting votes at 12 Noon on 6/18/09 by visiting www.keaholesolarpower.com. We want the world to know about how Hawaii and Kona is leading the way into a clean energy era so please circulate the vote to everyone you know.
Thank you for your support of a clean and green future for all.
Best regards,
Darren T. Kimura
Note:
These are not listed in any particular order. Please preview all names, images and write ups before voting.
KE KIHĀPAI O NĀ LĀ KAUKANI
June 18th, 2009
KE KIHĀPAI O NĀ LĀ KAUKANI I felt the name “Field of a Thousand Suns” was a perfect title for the power plant and what the power plant aims to accomplish. There are a few things that are required for life to be possible. The sun is definitely one of them, and I belive the sun is the basis for all life. Therefore, I think that this “Field of a Thousand Suns” will bring about a better, cleaner, cheaper way for people to live on this island. I picked this name to represent what the plant looks like, and what the plant wants to do. Literally, it is a field of small suns. Each one will collect and create energy, much like the real sun. I believe “Ke Kihāpai O Nā Lā Kaukani” is a beautiful name that represes the aim of the power plant well. It will connect and be accepted by the people of this island. We should all realize that this operation will only bring good things to us. In conclusion, I am extremely happy that someone finally realizes the capabilities of solar power in Hawai’i. This has been a seriously underused source for too long and I am glad that this valuable resource is finally being harvested and used.
KE KUMU O KE ‘ALOHI H ĀWEO
KE KUMU O KE ‘ALOHI H ĀWEO The name that I chose for the power plant is Ke Kumu o Ke ‘Alohi Hāweo, or the Source of Brilliant Glow. I chose this name because the power plant is the source that brings brilliant glow to our island of Hawai’i. This is obtained from absorbing the light from the suns rays. Because all of the energy being given off by the power plant comes directly from the sun, the new energy becomes both affordable and efficient. Here in Hawai’i, we have a tropical climate. We get a lot of nice, sunny weather, making it perfect for heating up the solar panels used to make energy. Most, if not all solar power systems are quiet, creating no noise during its process of generating electricity. While experiencing economic hardships during the recession, a major part of that conflict can be reduced. Cost on electricity would be inexpensive, saving families money to be used on other things such as food and paying numerous amounts of bills. This could possibly bring families farther away from economic struggles. Another problem being faced by our plant is destruction to our environment. A good way to reduce this problem is to use natural resources for power. And that’s exactly what this power plant does. Using this solar powering system also causes no pollution or damage to our environment, which is a major plus. People don’t realize that the damage we cause to our plant not only affects us, but the future generations to come. Our island along with the other Hawaiian Islands, are also facing these life changing problems. If we make bad decisions today, our future generations will have to suffer all the consequences later on in their life. It’s our job to put an end to this, beginning with the works of this power plant.
KA MANA O KA LĀ
June 18th, 2009
KA MANA O KA LĀ Aloha, I am from Konawaena High School’s second year Hawaiian Language Class. I chose the name “Ka Mana O Ka Lā” which means “The Power of the Sun.” Ka Mana means the Power and Ka Lā means the Sun. I chose this name because the Sopogy Company is using the sun to create energy. I think this Solar Power Solar Farm is a great idea because it could cut down the prices of electricity and energy. And it could really help the community. The sun is a very powerful energy source of this land, and we are putting it to use by making this farm. Mahalo Nui Loa for taking your time to read my paper and I hope you like the name I chose for your company.
HO’OMAIKA’I I KA LA
HO’OMAIKA’I I KA LA In the way we have evolved over the years, we don’t seem to realize the effects it has taken upon our planet. We are slowly killing away all the things that make up life. Whether it be green house effect or any other, we all have our input. For example, many people recycle and then we have less of a trash build-up. Many people retrofit their homes, and in result we conserve energy. But there are others who have taken interest in the things that are not easily observable, but surely have an effect. Solar energy is a well used thing throughout the earth. It is used in many different ways whether it be for Lights, refrigerators, stoves, etc. The fact is that we use it everyday. Basically, our earth provides for us, and Sopogy came up with a way to use these natural resources. I chose the name “Ho’omaika’I I Ka La” which means “Thankful for the sun” when translated. I believe the sun has many purposes and that they all seem to contribute to life altogether, whether it be for energy, or something as simple as sunlight. Looking over the years, the sun hasn’t been much but a bright ball in the sky. It provided light upon the earth and that’s all that seemed to important to us. But in this day and age we have technology that provides us answers. Answers to things like the fact that the sun is really a star, how hot it is, and how far it is from us. Not only have we learned these things, but we also have come to conclude ways to use the sun as a resource. Using the sun, Sopogy is able to create process heat, Solar Air Conditioning, and Electrical Power. Doing this maximizes energy production. This helps minimize costs. With the way the economy is now, using resources such as the sun can have a major effect on things. It’s amazing to think that the Sun is so useful and that even though it’s 150 kilometers away, it’s still helps us here on earth. This si why I chose Ho’omaika’I I Ka La; because I believe we’re all thankful for the sun and the advantages it gives us…
KA LĀ I KA MAULIOLA
June 17th, 2009
KA LĀ I KA MAULIOLA Ka lā I ka mauliola is what I chose to name the power plant. In English, this means the sun at the source of life. I chose this as the name because I feel that it relates to the power plant. From what I understand, the technology there at the power plant uses the sun as its main source to generate electricity. In the name I have chosen, it talks about the sun being the cource. It actually relats quite well. The sun is very valuable to us in many different ways. For one, solar powered electricity saves us a lot of money. Without the sun, there would be no life. things wouldn’t be able to grow, we wouldn’t be able to see, and we would freeze to death without the warmth it provides. We need the sun to survive, it’s a necessity! It’s awesome that the sun is the source, because it’s free. We are just recycling the sun’s energy to convert and store it into electricity. Living life here in Hawai’i is very expensive. Rent alone can cost thousands of dollards; on top of that you need to think about your utility bill. With the help from the sun we all can save money, and we are helping the earth to be “green.”
KE OLA O HAWAI’I
June 17th, 2009
KE OLA O HAWAI’I Ke ola o Hawaii means “The life of Hawaii.” I feel that these words will explain that the sun and it energy is the heart of Hawaii. Without the sun and its immense supply of energy, Hawaii wouldn’t be the paradise we know it as today. The sun was depended on even by our ancestors. The sun was an important aspect in the old Hawaiian ways. They relied on it for guidance, life, and food. The sun was depended upon to provide the right climate in order to grow crops when fishing and hunting was scarce. Similar to the old Hawaiians, we depend on the sun not only for crops but also for energy; like heat for water in our homes. This could possibly lower pollution. The sun’s energy was very important to our ancenstors’ survival and without it we as Hawaiians wouldn’t be here today. This is the perfect name for your plant because “Ke ola o Hawaii” can mean many positive things. It could mean that your plant will give life to the islands by providing it with clean reusable energy; which won’t destroy our pristine islands. The preservation of our islands and its beauty is important because there is a lot of things that is causing pollution; such as construction. We need to find a clean, renewable source of energy to help keep our islands safe and beautiful.
KA MANA O KA LA HAWAI’I
KA MANA O KA LĀ HAWAI’I I chose the name “KA MANA O KA LĀ HAWAI’I” meaning the power of the Hawaiian sun. I chose this particular name because we don’t realize how much mana or power comes from this natural resource. And being that we are closer to the equator it’s like having summer all year long with the heat from the sun. I chose to add in Hawai’i because I wanted to say something representing our beautiful and beloved home. There’s no other place like Hawai’i, I love it here. And to me, mana that Hawai’i has is like no other place in the world. Generating electricity from sunlight does not deplete any of the earth’s many natural resources. It supplies the earth continuously with lots of energy. So I think that the idea of the Sopogy company is a pretty good one. And I’d like to say a big mahalo for letting us compete in this competition even if I no win it’s good that we are having this kine opportunities. So mahalo nui loa!
HOPU I KA LĀ
June 17th, 2009
HOPU I KA LĀ The name I chose is Hopu I ka Lā which means capture the sun. This name has a lot of meaning to the Sopogy solar plant. Hopu I ka Lā is a perfect example of what the solar plant is doing. The solar plant is capturing the sun and using the energy to do better things and not damaging or taking from the land. Hopu has a good meaning because it means to capture and to get something and to not let it go. Ka Lā means the sun which is a very important natural resource that the Sopogy solar plant is capturing.