Support
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, letter dated December 11, 2015, states in part:
“I am conveying my support in concept of the Solar Matters initiative. . .We are at a juncture in time whereby we need to rapidly take creative steps to provide alternatives to use of fossil fuels. In addition to deploying an innovative and environmentally friendly clean energy alternative, this project will provide cultural, educational, recreational, agricultural, employment and other community social and economic development opportunities. With proper support from the community, private and government sectors, the Solar Matters initiative is completely doable.”
Aric Arakaki, Superintendent, National Park Service, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Ala Kahakai Trail Association, letter dated January 20, 2016, states in part:
“This is to indicate that the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, a 501c3, has agreed to serve as the interim fiscal sponsor for a community-driven campaign called Solar Matters in conjunction with its current initiative to conduct research and planning activities for the adaptive reuse of the historic railway alignment from Mahukona to Niulii, North Kohala, Island of Hawaii. . .Finally, Solar Matters’s vision to install photovoltaic panels on the railroad alignment which is designated and engineered to serve as a roadway and bikeway surfacing is highly innovative and will serve as another alternative model in meeting Hawaii’s renewable energy needs.”
Aric Arakaki, ExOfficio and NPS Partner Ala Kahakai Trail Association
E MAU NA ALA HELE, letter dated April 29, 2016, states:
“E Mau Na Ala Hele wishes to add its support for your concept of using the existing North Kohala Railroad right of way for a non-motorized public pathway. Preservation of the public right of way for its historic and heritage values as well as converting it into a bike and pedestrian pathway would be a wonderful addition to the community of North Kohala and our Island. Many thanks for your efforts in this regard.”
Keith Wallis, on behalf of Board Members of E Mau Na Ala Hele
Kamakani O Kohala Ohana – KAKO’O, letter states in part:
“This letter is to let you know formally that Kamakani O Kohala Ohana, also known as KAKO’O, supports the advancement of the Solar Matters project and will continue to offer support of the concept as the initiative proceeds. . .After working with you for three years we believe that your efforts to bring about a bikeway along the coast with highest respect for preserving historic and cultural resources will add to the enjoyment of and expand the knowledge of our coastal heritage to more people.”
Toni Withington, for the Board of Directors
Path, letter dated July 16, 2016 states in part:
“First of all, let me say congratulations on the progress you have made since we last spoke! Securing a fiscal sponsor and two sizable donations are considerable accomplishments.”
Tina Clothier, Executive Director, PATH-Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii
Kohala Village HUB, letter dated October 2017 states in part:
“We feel like projects like this are a great opportunity to promote a healthy community here in Kohala.”
LeHua Ah Sam, Executive Director, Kohala Village HUB
Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, letter dated April 1, 2019, states in part:
“It is our understanding that Solar Matters is working to introduce, test and prove innovative drive-on solar PV technologies on the Big Island as a precursor to their proposed 63-mile pedestrian bikeway, to run from North Kona to North Kohala. . .We are willing to support your efforts by providing Solar Matters with a lease-free project site for up to 200 square feet in the general proximity of Kahilihili Street and Queen Kaahumanu Highway in exchange for the power generated by the project. . .We believe our support and commitment will significantly advance the opportunity to build, here on the Big Island, an innovative solar transportation grid which could help achieve Hawaii’s goal of 100 percent of clean energy by 2045.”
Gregory Barbour, Executive Director, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority
The RAY, letter dated September 11, 2019, states in part:
“At The Ray, our mission is to demonstrate – with real projects on a public, working interstate – leading technologies and innovations that can help transportation become zero carbon, zero waste, and zero deaths, at scale. Solar Matters is working at the nexus of transportation, clean energy, water, food, cultural sensitivity, job training, and living-wage employment. Like us, they look for partnerships to maximize their impact. Already they have partnered with NELHA (Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority), who has agreed to host testing of the technology on their campus in Kona. Additionally, NELHA shares our values of transparency and information sharing. Solar Matters intends to share knowledge gained from this project with the Pacific Rim and beyond as a scalable model to help achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.”
Allie Kelly, Executive Director, The Ray
Representative David Tarnas, letter dated February 22, 2021, states in part:
“Since I am a strong proponent of multi-modal transportation infrastructure, this project fits in to a shared vision in our community. The remarkable thing about this Solar Matters proposed bikeway is that it is more than just a bikeway.”
David Tarnas, Hawaii State Representative House District 7
Councilman Tim Richards, letter dated March 4, 2021, states in part:
“It is initiatives like this by SM, whose overall focus is promoting innovative strategies for clean energy, water, and food security, that can literally pave the way forward during these increasingly challenging times; economically, environmentally, and culturally.”
Herbert M “Tim” Richards III, DVM, County of Hawaii District 9-North and South Kohala Councilman, Chair of the Committee on Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy, & Environmental Management
