• Be consistent with enforcing the law • Ultralight regulations • Renewable energy projects critical Be consistent with enforcing the law It is not surprising that Kapa‘a High School seniors and parents are dismayed at the removal of the congratulatory
• Be consistent with enforcing the law
• Ultralight regulations •
Renewable energy projects critical
Be consistent with enforcing the law
It is not surprising that Kapa‘a High School seniors and parents are dismayed at the removal of the congratulatory banners. After all, one would be hard put to believe that there is any sign ordinance when one travels through Kapa‘a town.
A number of years ago Mr. Jasper, when testifying before the County Council, promised that the sign ordinance would be adhered by his tenants at the location of his fair in exchange for enlarging the parking area. This perpetual sideshow signs still are mostly illegal and have encouraged similar visual pollution up and down the highway.
Chapter 15, Article 4 of the Kauai County Code “regulates and controls the location … and use of outdoor signs, provides for the enforcement of this Article.”
Among the signs which are altogether prohibited are portable signs, roof signs, neon signs, signs which block sidewalks and sandwich or A-frame signs. Have you seen any of them?
Since Mary Daubert told TGI that the county responds to complaints and Building Division Chief Doug Haigh has the responsibility of enforcing the code, I hereby am making the complaint.
Richard Machell, Kapa‘a
Ultralight regulations
And once again, another tourist dies to a suspected (the official FAA report is yet to be released) careless ultralight pilot and the FAA’s rules.
I am a pilot and a big proponent of kids and adults getting involved in aviation. I think it’s a great profession and hobby. I am also a proponent of safe fun flying.
These tourists are getting on flights without knowing the risks. The pilots in the past two accidents were supposedly flying too low and impacted the water. Pilots with a history of risky practices should not be in the air with passengers.
Stop hiding under this “instructional” umbrella and create FAA ultralight tour operator rules. Simple rules added to the FAA books could save lives and allow these tour businesses to stay in operation. Say a minimum altitude must be maintained and an emergency chute must be on board for all tourism flights. If the ultralight has a structural failure with plenty of altitude as dictated by these rules, a deployed chute would most likely save the lives of the people on-board.
If the flight is operated as an instructional flight, the FAA needs to modify the rules to say that to be a true ultralight instructional flight that 90 percent (or some reasonable amount) of the paid flights that are claimed to be instructional must be paid by already certified pilots or reoccurring students.
Adam Orens, Kapa‘a
Renewable energy projects critical
We are so lucky to live on Kaua‘i, the wettest place on earth, with enormous renewable resources. We currently have an opportunity to become involved and change our energy source on Kaua‘i.
We have a public non-profit electric co-op which needs positive public feedback so our community can kick the oil addiction.
We burn 30 million gallons of diesel and naphtha (gas) to produce 93 percent of our electricity on Kaua‘i. This money goes off island, is foreign, and has unstable prices. Diesel is now $5.10/gal in Kalaheo and $5.30/gal. in Princeville, and prices may still increase. Diesel/gas generation is not Renewable, Local, Green, or Sustainable.
The proposed renewable, green, sustainable energy developments available from KIUC’s 2011 Strategic Plan can give us 50 percent biomass, 30 percent hydro, 5-10 MW- PV photovoltaic, and reduce oil/gas/diesel generation down to 10-15 percent usage. Biomass will use invasive plants for energy (albisia) and will not damage native plants. Biomass can be productive by 2013. Hydropower is not subject to oil prices. Water has been used for thousands of years by all cultures on the planet, to provide vital energy.
KIUC is not building dams, or stealing water; the State of Hawai‘i controls use of water and water rights. The FERC process gives KIUC protection; we can be “pro-hydro” with FERC. Also, water resources are not depleted during the production of electricity.
We think it is critical to start renewable projects, as KIUC states: “we can reduce dependency on foreign oil and stabilize Kaua‘i energy prices”. We use approximately 80 megawatts of electricity at a full load for the entire island, and the renewable energy resources identified are at 92 megawatts (KIUC “2011 Energy Strategy,” page 23). There are currently eight hydro plants operating on Kaua‘i, producing 6 MW.
I support KIUC’s “2011 Energy Strategy Plan” which is online at www.kiuc.coop.
I encourage you to contact KIUC and give them the positive feedback they need, and attend one of their quarterly updates and community meetings.
Edward “Eddie” Pratt and Ms. L. Michael, Kapa‘a
