Walking up to Island Soap & Candle Works’ Kapa‘a warehouse, a brew of tropical scents greets the nose as far back as the sidewalk. Inside, paraffin wax and beeswax is being poured into halved coconut shells, and gourmet soaps made
Walking up to Island Soap & Candle Works’ Kapa‘a warehouse, a brew of tropical scents greets the nose as far back as the sidewalk.
Inside, paraffin wax and beeswax is being poured into halved coconut shells, and gourmet soaps made from coconut, palm and olive oils dry on shelves in large blocks, or loafs.
The mineral-based dyes that bring color to the soaps form a rainbow against a back wall, as nearby jars of lavender and rosemary lend their scent to the newest product, surfer’s salve.
From top to bottom, the warehouse that produces and packages products for Island Soap’s store and online business has a clean, pleasant appeal.
Now, it has clean energy, too.
With 90 solar modules on the roof capable of producing two-thirds of the warehouse’s energy needs. And thanks to net metering, surplus energy is fed back to the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative grid, for which Island Soap receives a credit.
“The initial incentive was the feel-good effect of doing something environmentally conscious,” General Manager Jim Psaila said of his interest in photovoltaics.
But that wasn’t enough to convince him or the out-of-state owners to make the investment. Psaila discovered that the cost of a photovoltaic system far surpassed his initial estimate of $40,000; in fact, the total was closer to $200,000.
He said if it weren’t for state and federal tax credits, the idea probably wouldn’t have gotten off the ground.
As it turned out, the subsidies took care of two thirds of the cost. And Psaila said the final third will pay itself off in savings during the first five years.
“You have electrical savings within 14 months and then you’re making money,” he said.
ProVision Technologies Inc., a Big Island company specializing in photovoltaics, installed the system over three weeks.
According to ProVision co-owner and Vice President Douglas Bath, the silicon panels Island Soap is using are among the most efficient available.
Bath has been working in the solar energy industry for 30 years, and specifically solar electric for the last 20.
He agreed that photovoltaics are not likely to be cost-effective for the average business or homeowner without tax incentives.
“You have to provide people a reasonable return to justify the system in most cases,” Bath said.
Currently, the state offers a 35 percent tax credit and the federal government offers 30 percent. In other words, investors can break even over five years or less and then start putting money back into their pockets, Bath said.
Bath said he sees a high interest level for solar on Kaua‘i. ProVision has installed three systems on the island, including King Auto Center in Lihu‘e and Banana Patch Studio in Hanapepe.
“We’re seeing an acceptance,” Bath said of the technology. “It’s gone from the weird and unusual to the comfort zone.”
In contrast its high-tech photovoltaic investment, Island Soap continues to embrace the old style of soap- and candle-making.
While some “soap” products are little more than sudsing chemicals, Island Soap uses an antique mixer to combine old-fashioned lye and oils, including palm, coconut and jojoba. The resulting solid is sent to curing shelves where the soap loafs dry in the open air. From the lip balms to the soap to the candles, each product is poured or cut by hand.
For the candles, Island Soap uses a combination of beeswax and paraffin wax, a byproduct of oil refinement. Psaila said the company has looked into soy-based waxes, but those available were not consistent in texture, burning or color.
Island Soap’s owners, who now live in Washington, bought the fledgling business in the late ’80s from a man who made soap in his garage. The operations transitioned to their barn in Kilauea, where the couple grew the product line over the years.
Now with a warehouse, retail outlets as well as online and Mainland business, Island Soap is a strong competitor among Hawai‘i-made beauty products — and one of few that has a legitimate claim to the title.
“It’s Hawai‘i branded, but it’s made in China,” Steve Mitchell, Island Soap’s graphic designer and product developer, said of similar items found in Hawai‘i gift shops.
While the future of the company is looking bright, so is its energy independence. Psaila said the system on Island Soap’s roof is running smoothly since being switched on last week.
