• KIUC responds to ‘inflammatory rhetoric’ • Tsunami aloha awesome • Mahalo for the kokua KIUC responds to ‘inflammatory rhetoric’ In response to recent inflammatory rhetoric directed toward the electric cooperative, we’d like to set the record straight. Since November
• KIUC responds to ‘inflammatory rhetoric’ • Tsunami aloha awesome • Mahalo for the kokua
KIUC responds to ‘inflammatory rhetoric’
In response to recent inflammatory rhetoric directed toward the electric cooperative, we’d like to set the record straight.
Since November 2002, residents of Kaua‘i have had the privilege of owning their electric company.
Friends and neighbors represent you on the board of directors.
Their decisions are based on how best to serve the members and improve the quality of life on Kaua‘i.
No longer are we beholden to shareholders in some distant place on the Mainland who put their profits ahead of the best interests of the island and the people who call this place home.
We do not profit from the electricity we sell you. That is our business model.
Let’s look at the facts.
The cooperative has never raised your electric rate. In fact, there has been no rate increase on Kaua‘i since 1996.
Your bill has been affected by an energy adjustment to cover the cost of fuel. Because the island is so dependent on imported fossil fuels, we are subject to volatility from world oil prices.
That is why KIUC is committed to developing renewable energy resources. It not only will offer members more stable rates in the long run, but is environmentally responsible.
Inflation is driving up the costs of everything. We feel it here at the cooperative. We have taken in no more money for operations since 1996. Meanwhile, the value of each dollar has gone down. Just like your home budget, we are asked to do more with less.
Part of our mission as a member-owned cooperative is to help you use energy wisely, and conserve when possible. In recent history, up to half of your KIUC bill comes from the energy adjustment charge. You have the power to reduce your costs by using less electricity, and you have done remarkably well — in fact, better than any utility we’ve been able to identify. Our job is to educate our members so we don’t all end up paying for wasted energy.
We accomplish this through communications: Currents magazine, public updates, participation in community events, bill inserts, Web site, newspaper and radio. That all adds up to less than one-quarter of 1 percent of KIUC’s budget.
Our mission is to provide reliable power safely that is fairly and competitively priced; practice conservation and efficient use of energy resources; increase sustainable power supply and environmental stewardship; and improve the quality of life for members and Kaua‘i.
Together we power Kaua‘i.
We make no apologies for striving toward these goals.
As one of the largest organizations on the island, it is our responsibility to work for the betterment of the community as a whole, as well as our individual members.
If you are not benefiting directly, you are benefiting as a member of the community. What benefits an organization that exists solely to support Kaua‘i indirectly benefits us all.
As a cooperative, participation by informed members is essential.
We welcome dialogue based on the facts.
Rhetoric has no place.
Randall J. Hee, KIUC president and CEO
Tsunami aloha awesome
I would like to take a moment to comment about the true aloha spirit that we experienced during the Feb. 27, 2010 tsunami. In our past travels to Kaua‘i, we have met many fabulous folks; however, I know that Cathe and Walt Turley of Kalaheo have true Aloha spirit.
Although we had not met before, other than through a telephone conversation confirming the upcoming NOAA whale count that we were participating in and that Cathe was our site leader for, Cathe graciously invited my wife and me, as well as the rest of our party of three, into their home to wait out the tsunami.
Once there, both Cathe and Walt warmly greeted us, had the coffee on and prepared an awesome breakfast for us, as well as other fabulous island cuisine later in the day.
They told us that we were welcome to stay as long as it took for the tsunami to pass or the warning to be lifted.
In the meantime, they shared their island experiences with us, enriched our own experiences.
We will always treasure Cathe and Walt’s aloha to us.
So to our new found friends and their family, mahalo, and also to them and all of Kaua‘i, thank you for our treasured vacation memories even under such a difficult situation.
Cliff Jager, Savage, Minn.
Mahalo for the kokua
I have been visiting Kaua‘i since high school; over 45 years now. Obviously, I fell in love with the island and the people and the surf.
Last Saturday, while bodysurfing at Brennecke’s, I struck my head on a rock and had to be rescued and ambulanced to Wilcox.
The people of Kaua‘i did not let me down.
Nearby body-surfers pulled me in, a first responder was immediately organizing efforts and soon the lifeguards and then paramedics arrived.
Nearby people went looking for my wife, found her, and helped her get to me.
It was a terrifying ordeal, but I couldn’t have asked for better care or caring.
I am so grateful for the kokua of the people of Kaua‘i.
My most heartfelt thanks to you.
I’ll be back soon.
Hugh Prichard, Eugene, Ore.
