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Usitour
Museum

Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority

📍 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI, USA
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3.5/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
USA, Big Island
Category
Museum
Duration
1-2 hours
Address
73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI, USA
Coordinates
19.7175, -156.0381

Introduction

The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) is located near Kailua-Kona on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, and is a globally unique ocean energy research and sustainable development demonstration facility. The laboratory draws cold deep seawater from depths of 3,000 feet through pipelines extending thousands of feet offshore, utilizing the temperature difference between deep and surface seawater for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) power generation, desalination, air conditioning, and deep-water aquaculture. This facility is not only a research base but also a natural energy education campus open to the public. The visitor center features interactive exhibits explaining ocean thermal energy principles and sustainable technologies in accessible terms, and visitors can tour deep-water lobster cultivation ponds, algae culture pools, and greenhouses cooled by deep seawater. The campus also features buildings naturally air-conditioned by deep seawater, staying cool in tropical heat as a vivid example of green building design.

✨ Highlights

1
OTEC Frontier
Pioneering ocean thermal energy conversion using deep cold water and warm surface water temperature difference
2
Deep Sea Pipeline
Draws cold water from 3,000 feet deep for power generation, desalination, cooling, and aquaculture
3
Deep Water Aquaculture
Uses cold deep seawater to cultivate lobsters and algae in a unique farming model
4
Green Building Demo
Buildings naturally air-conditioned by deep seawater stay cool in tropical heat as a green design model
5
Public Education
Visitor center with interactive exhibits explains ocean thermal energy and sustainable technologies
6
Clean Energy Pioneer
Showcases Hawaii's global leadership in clean energy and sustainable development

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Time to Visit：Year-round; morning offers good lighting for tours
→Phone：+1 808-329-7341
→Website：www.nelha.org
→Opening Hours：Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00; visitor center tours require reservation
→Ticket Information：Guided tour approximately $12; discounts for children
→Transportation：Rent a car from Kona Airport and drive north on Queen Kaahumanu Hwy for 15 minutes

💡 Tips

• Call or book online in advance to reserve a guided tour slot
• Hawaii UV is intense; apply sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses
• Pair with Kona coffee farms and Kailua-Kona Town for a full-day trip
• Some areas are active research zones; do not touch experimental equipment

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority?

Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00; visitor center tours require reservation

How much is the admission for Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority?

Guided tour approximately $12; discounts for children

Any practical tips for visiting Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority?

Call or book online in advance to reserve a guided tour slot Hawaii UV is intense; apply sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses

How long should I spend at Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority?

A typical visit takes 1-2 hours.