• KIUC lacks answers about smart meters • More on the Jones Act • Cancer caregiver thrilled by decision • Mayor: Our roads need work KIUC lacks answers about smart meters The smart meter controversy can only remain a controversy
• KIUC lacks answers about smart meters • More on the Jones Act • Cancer caregiver thrilled by decision • Mayor: Our roads need work
KIUC lacks answers about smart meters
The smart meter controversy can only remain a controversy if the two sides do not study the same material.
At a KIUC community meeting in Waimea, where businesses were invited, no business owners showed up. There were about 10 employees of KIUC who magically were there, and all said in a robotic fashion, “I have a smart meter on my home and I am pro-smart meter.”
None of them asked any questions and seemed to have no interest in new information. Why did they come? Obviously, to “show support” for KIUC decisions, without themselves studying the problems.
The other 10 or so people were all questioning KIUC information, using research from around the world.
There were a few people who came to simply get more information.
What I saw was that the KIUC employees only believed what the government had told KIUC years ago and which KIUC is now using in its public relations attempt to brainwash everyone about smart meters. The employees appear to already be brainwashed. Not one new question? Even though a lot of new evidence about smart meter privacy and health has come out since the KIUC board committed itself to the meters, no one at KIUC seems to care.
This new information questions the way FCC rates safety. There is no data from anywhere to show smart meters saves the homeowner any money. Why are we doing this when the reasons to do it cannot be proved anywhere, and problems are surfacing everywhere?
Two states have banned the meters, there are many lawsuits, and some utilities have made provisions for people suffering from health effects from smart meters. But this information, new and unsettling, is ignored.
Anything that raises doubts about the KIUC faith in smart meters is being ignored. Is smart meters a KIUC cult?
Or is it buyer’s denial? KIUC employees are sold on their new car? If the car has to be recalled for safety issues, it seems they don’t want to hear about it. If the steering wheel is loose or the gas tank leaks, should this be ignored? Is that safe driving?
Shouldn’t we study the experiences that other parts of country have had? KIUC has only studied how the controversy was managed by the obstinate utilities. What about the citizens? What did they experience? Aren’t we open to new information?
As one woman asked, “Will you fight for us?”
Ray Songtree
Hanalei
More on the Jones Act
In regards to the Jones Act, the Jones Act was not enacted and still supported to serve big business or the labor unions. What it does is protect the American shipping industry from being devastated by cheaper foreign competition.
A viable shipping industry is necessary to perpetuate in order to ensure that the United States has an adequate U.S. flagged merchant fleet to call upon in time of war or national emergency. Relying on foreign flagged vessels to meet national strategic goals would be folly.
Christian Smith
Honolulu
Cancer caregiver thrilled by decision
Thursday was a big day for American Cancer Society. The Affordable Health Care Act was upheld by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote
As a cancer caregiver I am pleased by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold provisions in the federal health law that helps cancer patients and their families. I know firsthand that people with chronic conditions, like cancer, have for too long been denied health coverage, charged far more than they can afford for lifesaving care and forced to spend their life savings on necessary treatment.
The ruling also protects the provisions in the health care law which benefits cancer patients and their families. Provisions such as ensuring cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies offered at no cost and more importantly prohibiting insurance companies from unfairly rescinding coverage when you get sick.
It’s time for elected officials in Congress to focus on implementing the health care law as strongly as possible for cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Mia Ako
Volunteer, American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network
Lihu‘e
Mayor: Our roads need work
Mayor Carvalho: Really, just two scoops of tarred gravel to fill a pothole on Alae Road in Kekaha? I’m pretty sure the county funds aren’t that bad off.
The road is the main road off Kaumualii Highway that leads up to Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Park. At the horseshoe turn on Koke‘e Road/Route 552 is where supposedly the county will start improvements.
The Koke‘e Road (off of Kekaha Road) is nice up to the horseshoe turn. However, Alae Road remains a bladder buster. While school is out, it’s a good time to scrape up, level the road and repave it.
Then on another note, the Salt Pond Beach Road, the road to the parking lot at the salt beds is an embarrassment. There are lots of tourists and kama‘ainas who visit the salt beds and the beach.
Mayor Carvalho, it’s time to put a lid on the Eastside Multipath and start fixing up some of our tourist attraction routes (roads).
P.S. Shadow (Mr. Freitis), you called me few years ago and told me, “If you notice something that is unsafe or needs fixing on the roadways, tell me about it. I can contact the right people to get things fixed or taken care of.” Well, Shadow, I’m calling on you now. So you can contact the right people to get these roads mentioned above fixed and resurfaced.
Howard Tolbe
‘Ele‘ele
