• Get moving while you can • Law needed to curb barking dog epidemic Get moving while you can To save ourselves we must downsize, decentralize and reduce consumption. The providers of the grid have another mantra: “Centralization, Continuity and
• Get moving while you can • Law needed
to curb barking dog epidemic
Get moving while you can
To save ourselves we must downsize, decentralize and reduce consumption. The providers of the grid have another mantra: “Centralization, Continuity and Growth!”
Here on Kaua‘i I take exception to KIUC plans for large-scale hydroelectric projects on the Hanalei, Wailua and Makaweli rivers.
The federal Rural Utility Service is putting up a total of $110 million of loan guarantees for Kaua‘i powergrid improvements. There is $73 million for hydro electric. It seems unlikely that KIUC will not fumble the ball. KIUC was unable to bring about a retrofit an existing sugarcane operation into a biofuel power station.
The remaining $37 million is for KIUC to build a fuel-fired generator in Kapaia. They are calling it a “10 MW naphtha/biodiesel” plant. Another description might be a diesel turbine. Talk about green smoke.
As far as federal loan guarantees go remember what happened to the Maritime Administration’s $180 million loan guarantee for the Superferry? The state of Hawai‘i was out more than $40 million when the Superferry operation tanked. Moreover, given the pathetic record of regulation, maintenance and repair of Kaua‘i’s earth dams and levies by our county, state and federal and private agencies, it is unlikely that if such a project could be built that it would not be a threat to those below the site.
KIUC has shown a penchant for blowing green smoke up the public’s skirt along with an unwillingness to re-examine their mission in light of reality.
In fact, the vast majority of proposed alternative energy projects proposed for Hawai‘i seem to be frantic desperate efforts to maintain the status quo. These power utilities see Peak Oil as the writing on the wall, but are unwilling to change their mission to accommodate the future. Instead the plans are to go bigger and more centralized with “alternative” sources.
Hawai‘i Electric Company is the owner of Maui Electric and the Big Isand’s Hawai‘i Electric Light. HECO using a “subsidiary” company called Ku‘oko‘a, led by Richard Ha, is attempting to create a unified statewide power grid that would generate power with wind, wave and geothermal heat.
It in reality is a strategy to satisfy the needs of O‘ahu (with 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s residents). How? By creating alternative power on outer islands that would use underwater ocean cables from Big Island, Maui, Lanai and Molokai to feed O‘ahu.
The daunting Kaua‘i channel may even be under consideration to link up those proposed hydroelectric dams. This masterplan may have worked 35 years ago with the resources and deep pockets that prevailed then. Now, only a few years into the Great Recession, such plans seem out of reach for a dimming American economy.
Some of these individual projects look more like schemes than plans. Schemes to take on more debt public debt for the benefit of private investors. Schemes of public relations and high consultation fees. Some of these projects are likely to be destructive to our environment in new and original ways.
Don’t be surprised if, as the situation becomes more desperate, we hear cries for a nuclear power plant to be built on each island to provide the power we desire.
What KIUC and HECO refuse to deal with is the nub of the problem facing us — profound change. It will be difficult, but the rural outer islands will be more flexible in powering down in the face of rising energy costs (as I write oil is about $91/barrel). O‘ahu is where the real problem exists.
In terms of self sufficiency O‘ahu is overpopulated by at least a factor of three. Without future cheap oil O‘ahu will not be able to provide people the water, food or power that they need. And cheap oil is a thing of the past. A diaspora of a half a million people may be needed to get to a survivable population on O‘ahu. An negative impact on the outer islands can be anticipated one way or another.
Investing now in stand-alone local decentralized systems is the key to future resilience and continuation of services. As the Great Recession grinds on, and the middle-class is eviscerated, it is unlikely that we’ll be able to afford a single-source for 24x7x365 5kwatt electric service to every residence in Hawai‘i.
It is quite possible we will experience what Lebanon, Iraq, Haiti and many other places have experienced for years — intermittent power and brownouts on a daily basis. You will have to supplement what electricity you consume or go without. Get moving while you can.
Juan Wilson, Waimea
Law needed to curb barking dog epidemic
I am a dog owner and have the utmost respect for my neighbors and my pets. I truly sympathize with the people who have issues with their neighbor’s dog barking incessantly.
It is just about the worst kind of torture — and to think what the poor dog must be going through, as well. When my dogs bark I correct it, not ignore it.
However, there is an increasing number of inconsiderate dog owners here due to the lack of any law to address the problem, which is not the animal, but the owner!
We have been fortunate enough to be able to talk to our neighbors and establish a pro-active relationship regarding their dog(s) barking problem. This is a good place to start if you feel that you can.
Be careful, though, because a large amount of dog owners are unreceptive, if not downright defensive and can get really nasty. There is a website devoted to this nationwide problem at barkingdog.com. We do need some sort of law in place so that people can be held accountable for their dogs.
We have a leash law, so why not a barking ordinance? Dogs are intelligent and can be trained fairly quickly not to bark all the time at everything. It takes a little patience and effort on the owner’s part. Sadly, lots of these people really just don’t care — that’s why the law needs to step in. You can bet that they’ll start working on the barking issue if they get a warning/citation!
Call the council. Plead with them to help.
Valerie Freitas, Kalaheo
