KIUC board candidates share energy plans

PUHI — Apollo Kaua‘i and the Associated Students of Kaua‘i Community College are hosting a candidates forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, for the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors elections.

The member-elected KIUC board — through its decisions, policies and contracts — is responsible for determining the island’s energy future.

The six candidates running in this year’s election — Pat Gegen, David Iha, Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian, Peter Yukimura, Kuulei Santos and Ken Stokes — responded to these three questions: 1.) Why are you running to serve on the KIUC Board of Directors? 2.) What expertise and experience will you bring to the board? 3.) What will you do to help KIUC meet its renewable energy goal of generating at least 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2013?

Here are their answers.

Pat Gegen

1.) I am running for the KIUC Board of Directors because I feel that Kaua‘i’s electrical energy needs can be provided in a much more environmentally and sustainable manner than they are today. KIUC has been going backwards in the area of renewable/alternative power for the last decade with very few and only minor advances being made to get us off of fossil fuel generation.

I believe that the KIUC board needs to be more open and responsive to the member/owners. Currently board members are limited on how much they can reveal regarding their views versus the views of the board — this needs to change in order for the co-op to be a truly democratic and responsive organization.

There are many more opportunities for working on the demand side of the energy equation that have yet to be implemented and need to be in place for our fellow member/owners to minimize their energy needs (and decrease their bills) and make the co-op even less dependent on fossil fuels.

If elected to serve I will focus on these three main initiatives.

2.) I have over 10 years of experience setting the long- range goals and implementing the day-to-day activities required to achieve excellence in the oil refining industry. I understand the operational aspects of running large industrial machinery efficiently, the required maintenance to achieve reliability, and from the leadership perspective the need for clear direction to achieve goals determined by upper management. This background gives me a unique understanding and ability to help set achievable goals and make sure they are carried out by an organization.

3.) KIUC needs to engage the member/owners and have their input integrated into the process of decision-making to achieve the goal of 50 percent renewable / alternative energy in the near future. I will insist on more dialogue as KIUC moves forward and is making decisions regarding your energy future. I will push for more alternative energy sources and see what we can do to get them

In place before the average Kauaian can no longer afford to keep their lights on. We have been waiting too long to see significant progress. I will help push KIUC resources towards demand reduction to assist all of us in minimizing our additional energy needs in the future and to help us all become as efficient as possible. I will look at the long-term issues when making decisions to assure that we are not keeping rates low today only to get hit with unnecessarily high rates tomorrow. If I am chosen to serve on the KIUC Board of Directors I will do my best to represent the desires of my fellow member / owners.

I humbly request one of your votes for the KIUC Board of Directors. Mahalo!

David Iha

1.) The KIUC Nominating Committee in its candidate search announcement stated: “The Committee is looking for members of KIUC who have past experience serving on the boards of community or non-profit organizations or government organizations, and those willing to accept the responsibilities and obligations of a director.” During my more than 40 years of public service, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on a number of community/non-profit boards at the local level here on Kaua‘i, at the statewide level, and at the national level. Serving on various boards have provided me with an understanding of the principles of good governance at the board level. I was privileged to serve on boards whose focus were on “building communities” which included developing mission and vision statements and strategic plans with the wider community. As an incumbent director of KIUC, we recently adopted a strategic plan that developed in a collaborative process that builds on our cooperative principles. The plan provides a foundation to ensure adequate firm, reliable power. The vision we developed is: To be an energy solutions leader. I am confident that our KIUC board working in partnership with our employees and our community will be an energy solutions leader. We’ve built a community of caring employees who are committed to the values of respect, teamwork, and excellence in our mission to bring reliable power safely to our community.

2.) Education   

— Kaua‘i High School

— Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, B.A., Political Science,

— University of Hawaii, Master’s in Educational Administration

— Harvard University, Institute for Educational Management

Public Service: University of Hawaii System, Kaua‘i Community College   

— Current — Emeritus Executive Administrator and Secretary of the Board Of Regents, University of Hawai’i, Provost Emeritus, Kaua‘i Community College.

— Eight Years — Executive Administrator and Secretary of the Board of Regents, University of Hawaii.

— Sixteen Years — Provost (now called Chancellor), Kaua‘i Community College.

— Twelve Years — Director of Administrative Services, Kaua‘i Community College

— Four Years — Administrative positions, University of Hawaii System.

Community Service — Past and Present

— Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Director

— Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors

— Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Founding Board Member

— Kaua‘i Museum, Board of Trustees

— The Kaua‘i Chorale

— Lihue Christian Church, Chair, Board of Trustees

— Hawaii Conference Council and Foundation Board of Trustees , United Church of Christ

— Hawaii Community Foundation, Board of Governors       

— Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, Board of Trustees

— American Council on Education, Board of Directors

Military Service

— Captain — U.S. Army

3.) As a member of the Board of Directors of KIUC since 2007, I’ve collaborated with my fellow board members and with our management staff to establish an aggressive renewable energy goal for our cooperative. Our renewable energy goal requires a diversity of effort including a commitment from our governing board. I’m pleased that I personally voted to support the strategic plan, the policies, the various projects including the KIUC’s Construction Work Plan, our Equity Management Plan, and our loan request to the Rural Utility Service. All of these products required the approval and support of our board. I personally voted in favor of these projects which will allow KIUC to continue to pursue its renewable energy goal. On a personal level, prior to Hurricane Iwa in 1982, I enrolled in a course at Kaua‘i Community College that taught me how to build and install my own hot water solar panels. The solar panels that I built survived two hurricanes and have consistently provided for my hot water needs and reduced my personal energy usage.

Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian

1.) I am running for re-election to the KIUC Board of Directors to continue what we started six years ago. We are aggressively pursuing renewable energy projects but not losing sight of the needs of our members, today. While our long range projects will benefit our future generations we need to continue to provide conservation programs that will benefit our members now.

2.) I am a lifelong resident of Kaua‘i, starting in Public service in 1962. In the past 49 years I served the county, state and federal governments in many capacities. Community service in youth sports, schools, service organizations was a part of my life all during those years. However, being a Parliamentarian is my biggest asset in serving on Boards and Commissions.

3.) In the past six years serving on the Board of KIUC, I served as treasurer for four years and as the chairman of the board for two years. As a director, we do not do things individually, but as a group. Cooperation among members is crucial. My main concern is to keep the board functioning together as a group. Working with our CEO is the main function of the board. With out this working relationship we can not be successful in providing the services that our members expect of us.

Peter Yukimura

1.) I am running for reelection to the KIUC Board of Directors because I am passionate about and committee to achieving the goals we developed in our strategic plan, specifically generating at least 50 percent of Kaua‘i’s electricity from renewable energy resources by 2023. In the past six years that I have been on the KIUC board, we have taken positive strides towards realizing this goal. There is more to be done, and I would like to continue this work. As a father and grandfather, my efforts on the KIUC board are motivated by the future I want for my children and grandchildren and all upcoming generations on Kaua‘i. This future includes a community that: Is less reliant on fossil fuels, which means we have decreased dependence on imports and a cleaner environment; Is more self-sufficient through a variety of renewable energy sources; Has reasonable electricity rates.

2.) As a third-generation Kaua‘i resident, I understand the island’s past and the community’s needs. I am the president of Koa Trading Company and have more than 30 years of business experience in Hawai‘i. To that end, the business aptitudes I contribute as a board member include financial oversight, corporate best practice guidance, and my strong relationships with various sectors of our community including education, government, grassroots, healthcare and not for profit. As a KIUC board member since 2005, I am a credentialed cooperative director and have been extensively trained in electric cooperative management.

3.) Since becoming a KIUC board member in 2005, I have dedicated more than 800 hours each year to KIUC business and worked tirelessly to ensure that tangible results and that the goals of KIUC’s strategic plan are met. The results towards generating at least 50 percent of electricity from renewable energy resources by 2023 include:

— Completion of two purchase power agreements for the 1 megawatt Kapa‘a Solar and 3 megawatt Po‘ipu Solar projects.

— Completion of a purchase power agreement with Green Energy LLC for a 6.7 megawatt biomass to energy project.

— Signing a Memorandum of Agreement with hydropower developer Free Flow Power Corp. to explore the viability of several hydroelectric projects.

I am also committed to installing a photovoltaic system for my business.

Kuulei Santos

1.) First and foremost I was raised on the Westside of Kaua‘i by my parents Frank and Abby Santos. At a very young age my parents instilled on to me the importance of community involvement. In 2010 I was selected as one of the three young women to receive the YWCA Na Wahine O Kaua‘i Leadership Award. This recognition helped me realize that my commitment to the community fulfilled more than just my personal ambitions. This prestigious award signified to me that the efforts I put into all my various non-profit and community projects have a positive effect on other people. Kaua‘i is a beautiful place and at the same time it is expensive to live here. What better way to help my community then to serve on the KIUC board and focus on alternative, renewable, and sustainable energy sources that will help maintain Kaua‘i’s beauty and lower the cost of our electric bills.

2.) Raised in a family-owned business I acquired strong business and leadership skills. I have learned firsthand the benefits of hard work, commitment and follow through. At my present employer, Unlimited Construction, I earned my certificate for LEED AP. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a performance-based rating system for green buildings established by the U.S Green Building Council. LEED has come to be accepted as the benchmark for green buildings, and covers all aspects of a building, from materials, to energy, water and building operation. Currently I am serving on the Kaua‘i Historic Preservation Review Commission and founded a nonprofit to preserve the Hanapepe salt pans.

3.) First, we need to concentrate on smart alternative, renewable, and sustainable energy sources. Second, I believe it is the responsibility of all Kaua‘i to engage in solutions by using conventional resources more efficiently. Major increases in energy efficiency are coming down the technological pipeline all the time and we all need be educated on those options to help reduce our energy usage. At Unlimited’s main office we were able to reduce our energy consumption by 40 percent doing small adjustments. I know that any decision I make will be based on how that choice will help Kaua‘i cut their energy bills without compromising comfort, quality of life, and Kaua‘i’s environment.

Ken Stokes

1.) I welcome the opportunity to help set KIUC on an accelerated path through the energy sustainability transition just ahead, and I would be humbled and honored to help provide this new leadership. Everyone has been feeling the pressure of rising energy costs, and “business-as-usual” is looking less attractive. As an alternative, I advocate a “greener, sooner, cheaper” approach that will move us away from the status quo as quickly as possible. I am driven by a sense of urgency, since this transition will only get more expensive the longer we delay, and our best chance to reduce rates in the future is to move nimbly now. I will bring into the board’s deliberations a vision of future energy abundance that capitalizes on our ample renewable resources and minimizes vulnerability to supply disruptions and price spikes. I want to help ensure that KIUC prospers far into the future, and I believe we will need a new business model for this. So, as we watch the old business model crumble, I am actively promoting multi-institutional sustainability initiatives — with the county, the college, the corporations, and the community — and I will push KIUC to more collaboratively plan for our island’s energy sustainability future.

2.) As a Stanford-trained green economist and author with extensive business experience and community involvement on Kaua‘i (since 1991), I have recently applied my sustainability expertise in public and private initiatives throughout Hawai‘i, including working with the Carvalho administration on sustainability practices, with Maui Land & Pineapple on sustainability metrics, with KSBE on sustainability stewardship, and with the state DOT on sustainability guidelines. I also work closely with Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance on community indicators, track KIUC’s monthly financial performance, train island leaders in sustainability thinking, study our energy choices and carbon footprints, and blog about sustainability in Hawai‘i (kauaian.net/SusHI).

3.) I’m ready to hit the ground running with a solid background in KIUC’s strategic challenges, and while some of the hard work to achieve this goal is already underway, I hope to help pick-up the pace. Here are three areas where I think we can do better: First, we need to be more aggressive with our own investments in renewables and distributed generation, because relying on other investors limits our ability to reduce rates over time. So, we need to shift away from “power purchase” (PPA) strategies that KIUC has been pursuing, and toward more direct and/or collaborative investment. Second, we need more vigorous investment by households and businesses in energy efficiency, generation and storage… because it’s a “smart money” move. This will add a significant “wedge” of renewables in addition to what KIUC can muster, and our strategy needs to incorporate this “wedge” without threatening the underlying business. Third, we need to rethink our powerline strategy in the context of an islandwide broadband initiative. Our wires/poles can become integral components in a more resilient energy and communications infrastructure, which will create new revenue opportunities, and KIUC’s investment in ‘smart grid’ wireless systems should be part of this larger project.

• Doors to the forum  open at 6 p.m. Thursday. No charge. Ballots for KIUC board elections will be mailed out separately from members’ electric bills in late February. Members can vote online or by phone. Voting ends March 19. Visit www.hawaiistream.com for a live video stream of the forum and see next weekend’s edition of The Garden Island for full coverage of the forum.