The progressive escalation of energy shortages in recent years has led to an intensified search for viable alternate sources of energy in virtually every part of the United States. This is especially true of Hawaii, whose economic and geographic characteristics have constrained its present source of supply to a single fossil fuel, namely, oil. This monopoly of oil is further enhanced by the crucial role of transportation in the economic life of the islands dominated by tourism, plantation agriculture, .and military services. Viewed in this perspective, the need for exploring and exploiting alternate sources of energy in the Hawaiian islands becomes urgent and compelling.