Asserting Leadership in Alternative Energy

In conversations with leaders of Pacific Island states, their fear of “globalization” becomes apparent. They are intensely concerned that globalization means a loss of tradition and a loss of identity. In economic terms, as small island nations with small populations, they are concerned both with losing economic self-sufficiency and losing the competitive advantage that comes with being unique islands.

As I listen to Pacific Island leaders, it occurs to me that Hawaii is in a parallel situation, even though our experience with globalization is far advanced.

We have the largest population between North America and New Zealand, but are nonetheless a fragile island society with sharply limited resources. We have unique cultural traditions and a unique environment. We aspire to enjoy “the good life,” yet hold to a special way of Island life.

If we are to strike a desirable balance, it is imperative that we—like other Pacific Islanders—be highly conscious of who we are, what we value, and what kind of tradeoffs we are making. As far as we can clarify who we are and what we want, we will be in a better position to take the sting out of the ever-increasing connectivity and influence of the rest of the world—and instead make it work for us.

Energy is the most important example I can think of. We are all enmeshed in issues of energy together, either as producers, suppliers or—more rarely—proponents of new approaches to energy. I have often talked with Pacific Islanders about appropriately scaled energy systems. Like ourselves, they tend to adopt continental energy systems while overlooking their own possibilities.

Recently I was reminded of those conversations in a very different setting—a meeting of the Northeast Asian Economic Forum. Russia, China, Mongolia, the two Koreas, Japan and the United States all participate in the forums. The approach is apolitical, punctuated most interestingly by the occasional presence of North Korea.

You can imagine that the perspective is heavily conti-nental. Thinking runs to the exploitation of resources. Much discussion revolves around Russia’s oil reserves, how much oil the Russians will sell, and who will pay the cost of Russia developing these reserves and transporting them to world markets.

In my capacity as honorary chair, I recently attempted to initiate some new thinking. I talked about the urgent importance of developing alternative renewable resources.

Even in circles where awareness of alternative energy is low, it is an inescapable subject. Fossil fuels are demonstrably being depleted, and the global warming resulting from their use is demonstrably occurring.

While I acknowledged Hawaii’s current dependence on oil and coal, I talked about initiatives in wind, wave, solar, ocean thermal, hydrogen fuel cells, ethanol and other forms of biomass.

These are areas in which Hawaii can create a global example and provide global leadership. At one time, we were in the forefront among American states, and we need to regain that position. These areas are perfect examples of our self-interest meshing with the interests of the outside world.

By gaining and asserting leadership in alternative energy, we would be doing ourselves a great favor. We would be setting an example for other Pacific Islands, and our expertise would be in demand throughout the world.

That would be quite an accomplishment for the 21st century.

George R. Ariyoshi, chairman and cofounder of Convergence CT and Cellular Bioengineering, is the former president of Prince Resorts Hawaii Inc. He is active in international business circles, particularly in Asia. An attorney by profession, Ariyoshi served in elective office in Hawaii from 1954 to 1986. He served as governor of Hawaii from 1973 to 1986 and was the first Japanese American to be elected governor in the United States.

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