That funny-looking building with the gigantic solar panels is the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). This 'zero-net energy facility' was voted one of the USA's 10 greenest buildings in 2007. Learn about OTEC and research into alternative and renewable-energy technologies at NELHA's public presentations, which are followed by an abalone farm tour and tasting on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday or a solar-energy plant tour on Tuesday. Friday's 'Grand Tour' (reservations required) visits OTEC Tower and kampachi and abalone farms.
About 40 businesses call NELHA's HOST Park home, including Kampachi Farms , the aquaculture gurus responsible for yellowfin tuna seen on haute island restaurant menus.
The turnoff is just over a mile south of Kona International Airport, between mile markers 94 and 95.
