Beware of scare tactics After receiving a flyer with sample refusal letter for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s smart meters in the mail urging us to act quickly, we became worried and decided to do some checking. We went to the
Beware of scare tactics
After receiving a flyer with sample refusal letter for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s smart meters in the mail urging us to act quickly, we became worried and decided to do some checking.
We went to the website suggested (Kauaitruth.com), and clicked on a variety of links and read the material presented, all with a very negative view of the smart meters.
We also called our doctor and received a call back saying that there was no basis for worry, according to latest medical knowledge gleaned about exposure to the low amount of the electromagnetic field of the smart meter. This and other research and reading we did put some of our fears to rest about possible associated health issues.
I realized I might have fallen prey to what I learned was a no-no for a good journalist years ago: One-sided, emotionally inflammatory reporting known as “yellow journalism.”
However, we were still worried about the privacy issue, or fear of Big Brother-style tracking through our electric consumption pointing specifically to our living patterns within our home. So when we read reporter Vanessa Van Voorhis’ article last week covering a meeting of KIUC representatives and private citizens, we noted the informational meeting upcoming listed for Dec. 8 at the KIUC conference room in Lihu‘e, we made it a point to attend so we could listen and question anything we felt was not explained thoroughly and reasonably.
Through a detailed and concise presentation at the meeting, KIUC CEO Mike Yamane allayed all our fears. We received what we felt was good education about the value of the smart meters in the current grid that now operates on Kaua‘i, and about the opportunity for getting upgraded through a Department of Energy-matched grant. The privacy issue listed above was allayed by specific information given, as well as the other questions around EMF worries.
Still to be addressed is the lack of free choice about having the smart meters co-purchased and installed.
After Mr. Yamane’s good explanations and presentation, we realized that we had voted for our island cooperative’s board members, and vested trust and authority in them to act well in our best interests. This, after all, follows the democratic principle to which we are devoted.
We urge our friends and associates in the community to either stop in at the KIUC offices and pick up explanatory brochures covering frequently asked questions about the smart meters, or by visiting www.kiucrenewablesolutions.coop.
Also, on the flipside of the chart we obtained showing a comparison of radio frequency signals of common sources to which we are all subjected, I noted that there is a code that can be scanned with a smartphone and a QReader application; good to check out the EMF of that smartphone, too!
We don’t have a smartphone, so we are passing that one up. It might be good to note that a cell phone held next to your head is shown to be 12,667 times greater than the smart meter at one yard away. Even your cordless home phone held to your ear is shown at 8,000 times greater.
Dawn and Delano Kawahara, Wailua Homesteads
Queen’s Bath
Interesting comments lately on the Queen’s Bath issue. For many years I look forward to the large winter north shore surf crashing into Queen’s Bath. One of the most beautiful, breathtaking and thrilling of nature’s many displays. When 20- to 30-foot surf crashes in, shooting hundreds of feet in the air, the common sense approach (Obviously! Hello!) would be to stay above the rock outcropping in the tree line. Because one would have to have a death wish to venture anywhere near the tiger’s eye.
With a bit of trepidation, risking incurring someone’s wrath, I enter the politically incorrect area of the sacred cow; tourism. Common sense cannot be legislated. No one can protect me from myself.
Every winter I am amazed at the number of tourists who venture close to the tiger, perhaps to get a better picture. We all have free will and choice, even to the point of suicide. The signs at the trail-head are very clear as to the danger.
I have always avoided standing in front of speeding freight trains, but if someone else wishes to do it, hasta la vista, baby and vaya con Dios! There is no way I can prevent anyone from doing so.
Come check out one of God’s more beautiful creations at the bath, bring common sense.
Perhaps those of you who direct tourists to the bath could make copies of this letter and hand them to the tourists you direct there. Take some responsibility.
Billy Whelan, Kilauea
