Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority (NELHA)
Common Heritage Corporation’s research and development facilities are located on property leased from the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority (NELHA). There, deep ocean pipes supply cold water to our on-site projects.

The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i was founded as an independent State Corporation in 1974 by Governor John Burns of the State of Hawai'i and John P. Craven in his capacity as marine affairs coordinator of the State. It was built and further supported under the administration of Governor George R. Ariyoshi with the leadership of Dr. Craven, who continued in the role of sponsor and Chairman of the Board until 1990, when the NELH was converted into an Authority under the Department of Business and Economic Development. By this time, an extensive complex of businesses and laboratories had been established for a wide spectrum of uses of the natural energy resources of the ocean and the coastal zone.

From 1990 until 1995, the Common Heritage Corporation was essentially a research and development operation dedicated to the assemblage of components for the demonstration of a self-sufficient system or systems, which would meet the criteria of the corporate mission. Success was achieved in the summer of 1996. At that time, a new management team was assembled to bring the additional expertise, experience, and dedication necessary to conduct the business of CHC. The current structure and historical background of the corporation and its personnel establish it as unique in the world with respect to its ability to effectively and efficiently manage the development of Deep Ocean Water (DOW) as a resource.