The future has an address. It's the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. NELHA, for short.
Here the State of Hawaii is developing an array of renewable energy sources from geothermal to wind power, hydrogen to biomass. Located at Keahole Point, one mile south of the Kona International Airport, NELHA is a sprawling, 800-acre complex populated by entrepreneurs engaged in innovative technology and product development.
This is the only place in the world where the vast natural resources of sunlight and seawater are harnessed to support exciting new aquaculture and ocean technologies. Huge intake pipelines are used to deliver both Arctic-cold, deep sea water from 3,000 feet below and tropical-warm, surface seawater.
"Techno-magicians" use cold sea water to cool buildings, and to grow creatures like cold-water abalone. The abalone farm conducts regular tours and offers a taste of fresh abalone.
To find NELHA, watch for the distinctive "Space Frame" building. Called the Hawaii Gateway Energy Center, it is located on Hwy. 19, just south of the airport. Discover what's going on at NELHA at a regularly scheduled public presentation.
