Letters for Wednesday, April 10, 2013

• Ocean safety is a must • Kudos to courteous construction company  • How will bills impact KIUC rate structure? • The Westside needs improved parks

Ocean safety is a must

Hats off to the brave beach

goers who rescued a visitor who recently jumped from the cliff at Maha‘ulepu. More hats off to Monty Downs and others who are doing their best to prevent drownings.

Not long ago a letter writer suggested creating posters/videos of local lifeguards standing on a beach where dangerous surf is pounding and saying, “Even we don’t go out when it’s like this.” A fine idea.

Here another suggestion: in The Garden Island’s account of the incident at Maha‘ulepu, the rescued visitor said that while he struggled in the water he was thinking about his four children. He also admitted that alcohol influenced his foolish decision to jump off the cliff, and said that he just might never take another drink of that stuff.

Could this visitor, who has understandably asked to remain anonymous, be persuaded to record his statements for incorporation into the safety video that will soon play on interisland flights and in our airport?

The testimony of someone who admits that stupid behavior almost cost him his life might persuade someone else to think twice.

H.M. Wyeth, Anahola

Kudos to courteous construction company

For the past several months, we have had construction/road work in front of our office (Garden Island Properties, LLC) in Kapa‘a along Kuhio Highway in preparation of the continuing bike path.

I would like to commend the workers at Earthworks Pacific Inc. They have been nothing but professional and efficient at their jobs and clean up — even better than what was previously there.

People have been watching them work, they politely answer any questions, and best of all clean up their “opala” (if any) on the road or work area on a daily basis. They are constantly working. I would highly recommend this company.  

Sue Maruyama Strickland, Kapa‘a

How will bills impact KIUC rate structure?

With the apparent passage of Hawai‘i SB 1045 and House Bill 815, I would sure like to know what impact this will have on our current KIUC rate structure when these bills are enacted. In particular, the rate that KUIC buys back excess power from KIUC members.

Most commercial solar farms sign a long term contract “Q” Nem Pilot Schedule rate schedule for a guaranteed buy back rate amount of approximately 20 cents per KWH while, others sign a “Q Modified” rate structure with no guarantee, but past KIUC calculations has shown that the average “Q” schedule buy back rates for 2012 was approximately 25 cents per KWH in 2012. The “Q Modified” rate fluctuates monthly, slightly higher or lower depending on KIUC’s calculations. KIUC then sells that excess back to members at the current Schedule “D” rate charged to members, which is usually almost twice that amount.

My understanding is that these rates/calculations are somewhat regulated by the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 269 which will no longer be required by KIUC to follow. I know a lot of members have spent thousands of extra dollars to add more photovoltaic panels to help offset their electric bills based on the current “Q Modified” rate structure. If these rate schedules are changed to a rate significantly lower, it will surely have a negative impact on the members especially, those who are currently on the “Q Modified” rate schedule.

Members should be informed on what KIUC’s intentions where with pushing to get these bills passed. I personally have heard that these rate schedules will go significantly lower in the near future.

How could this benefit KIUC members?

It is very difficult to obtain any information from the KIUC without following policy No. 16, which is an 11-page document.

Paul Reineck, Kapa‘a

The Westside needs improved parks

In response to the TGI letter “Use the money to cover the potholes.”

How selfish is that to think the Westside doesn’t need a sports complex? The Westside is an ideal place for this park. The weather is perfect to attract outside athletes to come and compete. The park will promote the Westside. On another thought, I agree it will cost to a lot to maintain the park. So, with the existing parks, lets just add two more baseball diamonds and make it more affordable to maintain.

Here’s a thought, but it might cost a lot of money now: Why not place artificial turf like they did at the stadium on O‘ahu?

Let’s not lose this opportunity to improve the Westside and to give our Westside athletes some pride to have a better baseball park to play on.

Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele