Kaua‘i’s renewable energy future The energy conference hosted by Kaua‘i Economic Development Board last Tuesday made clear once again that Kaua‘i can obtain the majority of its energy from sun, wind and water. The planned goal is to have 70
Kaua‘i’s renewable energy future
The energy conference hosted by Kaua‘i Economic Development Board last Tuesday made clear once again that Kaua‘i can obtain the majority of its energy from sun, wind and water. The planned goal is to have 70 percent renewable energy production by 2030.
Kaua‘i can do better than 70 percent renewable and do it much sooner for its electrical power. Goals of 50 percent renewable within five years and 90 percent renewable in eight years are readily achievable. There are great advantages in having shorter time horizons. People will save money sooner. Centralized solar voltaics and wind-generated power are cheaper than the oil produced electrical power produced on Kaua‘i, which as everyone knows is by far the most costly in the nation. By having a more aggressive near-term renewable goal, planning and installation of renewable energy must begin now and not be put off many years into the distant future. To meet either the 50 and 90 percent renewable goals, every year should have a sizable 10 to 12 percent annual target.
As an environmental scientist who has studied and lectured on climate change for many years, we have only a limited time, perhaps just a decade, to begin bringing our global warming greenhouse gases under control. The longer we delay, environmental damage, such as to our sensitive coral reefs, will become irreversible. Because Kaua‘i is blessed with abundant solar and wind resources, there is nothing stopping Kaua‘i and the state from becoming the nation’s and world’s model for renewable energy. We can all recall that it was commitment to a powerful vision and persistent political will that got us to the moon in less than decade. We can do the same for renewable energy on Kaua‘i.
Milt Clark, Ph.D., Princeville
A new look for
rural Kaua‘i
Mayor Carvalho, it is commendable that you want to modernize the garbage pickup around Kaua‘i Island; however, like shoes, one size does not fit all. I can understand how the new automated system will work in a city environment, but Kaua‘i has many homes located in rural areas. The person responsible for this system did not think it through very well.
My home is located about one quarter mile off Waipouli Road, and there are many others. I am 76 years old and find myself unable to load the new large garbage cans on my truck. It’s too far to drag to the pickup point on Waipouli Road.
The alternative is to leave the garbage cans permanently alongside the road for the weekly pickups like many of my neighbors. Is this what was envisioned? You can drive just about anywhere in rural Kaua‘i where the new system is in place and find garbage cans alongside roads, providing our Island with a new unpleasant look. And, yes, dogs can and do knock them over.
Think about how long it took to get rid of all the abandoned cars. Now, we have garbage cans to contend with. In addition, a new tax has been levied on the citizens of Kaua‘i for this unwanted ugly mess.
Dick Godbehere, Kapa‘a
How about a
bully beat down?
I see where our county has approved $40,000 to retain special counsel to defend itself in a lawsuit filed by a person described as a mixed martial artist that was tased by police officers.
It appears to me that there may be more economical and satisfying ways to settle this dispute. There is a TV show called “Bully Beat Down.” The premise is that victims retain the services of an MMA practitioner to fight the bully. At stake is $10,000 in prize money. The victims get pieces of the purse every time the bully taps out. If the bully merely lasts through the rounds, he gets the purse, less any tap out losses.
Usually, the bully is willing to agree to the deal because he has an inflated sense of his ability, and the victims have nothing to lose and gain the chance of watching the bully get a sound thrashing from a professional thrasher.
Now, I don’t know who the bully is in this case, the taser or the tasee, but I do know hiring special counsel will be like setting up a legal match between two attorneys, at significant greater costs than if a bully beat down arrangement could be made.
In addition, at the end of the match, no matter who won or lost, there seemed to be some level of satisfaction and redemption for the victims, and the bully seemed to have learned a lesson. Hands were shook and promises of good behavior followed. Sounds good to me.
Nolan Ahn, Lihu‘e
Koa trees safer than Kaua‘i’s keiki
I rarely agree with the views of our articulate and prolific Mr. Mickens, but I couldn’t agree more with his letter “Slap on the wrist.” In it, Glenn takes issue with the frequent ability of sexual predators to plea bargain their way to freedom and the opportunity to stalk Kaua‘i’s children.
After reading the Dec. 7 issue of The Garden Island, I am in disbelief at the disparity in appropriate punishments administered by our local judiciary. Kevin Louis, a young father, is found not guilty of firearms and drug charges. He is found guilty of second degree theft. Kevin is serving five years at Halawa for cutting a koa tree!
If our judicial system is our society’s moral compass, even a child can see that it has us pointed in the wrong direction. Take heart, kids. You may remain at risk, but our judges are doing their best to keep our trees safe.
Gayla McCarthy, Kekaha
