HANALEI — About 50 people gathered at the Hanalei School cafeteria Wednesday evening for the first of five forums featuring candidates for the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative board of directors. Candidate Pat Gegen said the KIUC must be more responsive
HANALEI — About 50 people gathered at the Hanalei School cafeteria Wednesday evening for the first of five forums featuring candidates for the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative board of directors.
Candidate Pat Gegen said the KIUC must be more responsive to the needs of co-op members.
“They haven’t engaged the community before making fundamental changes that affect our community and our environment,” Gegen said.
Candidate JoAnne Georgi said the utility co-op is wasting ratepayer money.
“We need to sit down and say what are our wants versus needs. Sending out a calendar and Currents Magazine every month, and having four people in advertising and promotions is a waste of money,” Georgi said.
Candidates by member petition are Gegen, Georgi, Karen Baldwin and Ken Stokes.
Candidates selected by KIUC’s nominating committee are Lesther Calipjo, Calvin K. Murashige, Joel Guy and incumbents Stewart Burley and Steve Rapozo.
Wednesday’s forum was hosted by Apollo Kaua‘i and the Hanalei to Haena Community Association.
Upcoming forums
E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha will host a forum at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Kekaha School Cafeteria.
Kauai Community College Student Association will host a forum in the Student Center at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23.
The Wailua-Kapa‘a Neighborhood Association will host a forum at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Kapa‘a Library.
The last forum will be hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Lihu‘e Business Association. It will be held at 7:30 a.m. on March 1 in OCET Room 106 at Kaua‘i Community College.
