HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - At a meeting on Tuesday in Pahoa, many who showed up were skeptical of Puna Geothermal Venture and its upgrade project .

“There is trauma that is incurred from all of this,” said one woman.

The company’s Repower Project has equipment upgrades and increased power generation. It has 12 generating units that are more than 30 years old, and the plan is to install three larger generating units and decommission the old ones.

PGV says it’s already completed grading and grubbing for the project, but for decades some residents and geothermal opponents have worried about safety, environmental toxins and illnesses.

“Money isn’t sh*t when it’s comes to desecration of our health, our children,” said resident Jasmine Steiner.

“We are required by law to let people know w

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