• Now is the time for solar • Much Aloha to Kalei Mahuiki Denson • Mahalo from Koloa School • Let’s talk about it • Martial law coming soon? Now is the time for solar Please don’t think I work
• Now is the time for solar • Much Aloha to Kalei Mahuiki Denson • Mahalo from Koloa School • Let’s talk about it • Martial law coming soon?
Now is the time for solar
Please don’t think I work for a renewable energy company, because I have previously advocated in TGI that homeowners and businesses provide some or all of their electricity using renewables, particularly solar. Now, however, there are two compelling reasons to purchase solar.
First, there is an oversupply of manufacturing plants producing panels, and this excess of product is driving down prices. Estimates suggest that by the end of the year the global production will approach approximately 40 gigawatts (GW) of solar modules while the demand is just 24 GW. Because of excess panels and falling prices, this is the time to buy.
Second, as emphasized by Walter Lewis (TGI April 23, 2012 page A4) KIUC “seeks to protect its organizational structure and a revenue-maximizing profit-oriented business model rather than serving the interests of its members”. With KIUC’s present structure, it is doubtful that significant savings will be passed on to co-op members in the near or distant future. However, homeowners and businesses can greatly reduce electrical costs by supplementing their needs with their own solar panels. An individual can install one, 10, 30 panels or more depending on the requirements and resources available. These can be installed all at once or over time. The investment will pay for itself in six to eight years, and the electricity generated is then free for another 10-15 years.
Take advantage of this situation. Develop your own low-cost solar power plant so that you can share in the advantages of inexpensive electricity and significantly reduce your utility expenses.
Douglas Wilmore, Kilauea
Much Aloha to Kalei Mahuiki Denson
We really appreciate your concern for our situation here at Koloa Camp. You deserve to be praised for standing up for your fellow man going through a situation that you have gone through yourself. Many people can sympathatize with us, but I know that you empathize with us, you know what it feels like … deeper than moving residence. Memories, history, mana, and much love. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to you, Kalei.
Doreen Jacintho, Koloa
Mahalo from Koloa School
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our community for their support of me and our efforts at Koloa Elementary School over these past six years. It has been an overwhelming honor to represent Kaua‘i and to be recognized as the 2012 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in Leadership Award winner amongst so many deserving candidates in the state. It must be noted that the success of our school has been a result of the commitment and diligent work of our teachers, staff, parents, community members, local businesses, and most importantly, our students. Together, we strived to overcome various challenges and set our goals high in order to improve student achievement and build our confidence as a school community. Collaboration, cooperation, and humble competence have been key to developing a positive culture of learning and we will continue to move forward knowing that all of our students can succeed. Our school motto is: “Shoot for the Moon! Even if you fail, you’ll fall amongst the stars.” This belief guides our efforts to provide the best education possible for our students. On a final note, I want to express my deep appreciation of the current and previous Complex Area Superintendents, Mr. William Arakaki and Mr. Daniel Hamada, as well as Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Senator Ron Kouchi, Representatives Kawakami, Tokioka, and Morikawa, our county council, The Garden Island newspaper, and my family for their support of me and our many school endeavors.
Debbie Lindsey, Principal, Koloa Elementary School
Let’s talk about it
If a student talks to another student about an organization, information is being exchanged. If in that exchange written material is given, it’s still just information. I wouldn’t want to stop that, even if I don’t like the information. I think it’s better to have things out in the open and to talk about what’s going on. In regards to Planned Parenthood vs. Parents talking about sex and what that means physically and emotionally, neither is an absolute. As a matter of fact, I think schools should be talking about sex also. An open and honest exchange of everything — and I do mean everything. It’s the year 2012, but yet there are still many taboos and these just keep us ignorant. Put it all on the table and talk about it.
Mark Perry, Lihu‘e
Martial law coming soon?
Knock, knock — who’s there? F-E-M-A! FEMA who? Federal emergency management, absolutely in sync with martial law and coming very soon to your community. Don’t believe me? Check Obama’s activity signing pertinent documents which itemizes new FEMA roles. FEMA will take control of everything like no other Konohiki ever, and they’ll be able to shoot to kill should anyone be otherwise outside of the box. Hurricane Andrew and Superferry are just a few examples of where our government has gone and where it continues to proceed, trying to take us all to the Hell-fires without a paddle. Take action, but build a garden first and buy lots of toilet paper.
Debra Kekaualua, Wailua
