HPA to screen ‘Dirty Energy’

HPA to screen ‘Dirty Energy’

HPA to screen ‘Dirty Energy’

Hawaii Preparatory Academy launches its 2013-2014 Ohana Sustainability program with a screening of “Dirty Energy” at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at the school’s Gates Performing Arts Center. The public event is free; doors open at 6 p.m.

The film brings to light the stories of Louisiana fishermen and residents directly impacted by the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. Filmmaker Bryan D. Hopkins gains intimate access to the lives and homes of these people, as they struggle to rebuild their lives. The film questions whether the cure to oil spills – dispersants – might be worse than the harm.

“’Dirty Energy’ is particularly relevant to the state of Hawaii now because … Hawaii has pre-approved use in state waters of the very same toxic Corexit dispersants that were used in the Gulf of Mexico and now are known to cause extensive long-term harm to human health and the environment,” said oil spill expert Riki Ott.

Ott, who is featured in the film, will participate in a panel discussion that follows, along with health, culture and science representatives. For more information, contact Koh Ming Wei at 443-9231 or mwkoh@hpa.edu. For more about the film, visit dirtyenergymovie.com.