• KIUC clarifications • Grateful for dedication • We all benefit from enlightenment • Raze the roofs KIUC clarifications Kauai Island Utility Cooperative uses paid media to encourage conservation of electricity (“Lessons from KIUC,” Letters, July 5). We do that
• KIUC clarifications
• Grateful for dedication
• We all benefit from enlightenment
• Raze the roofs
KIUC clarifications
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative uses paid media to encourage conservation of electricity (“Lessons from KIUC,” Letters, July 5). We do that because efficient use of electricity benefits all KIUC member-owners. It benefits the members who conserve because it lowers their electric bills and it benefits KIUC members in general. Conservation and efficiency means the co-op has to spend less member money on more poles, wires, trucks, new generators, etc. And it is good for the environment because it reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
You will also see radio, TV and newspaper communications from KIUC about safety issues, for example, hurricane preparedness.
You will see communications from KIUC encouraging member-owners to participate in co-op democracy. Around election time we have communications ads informing member-owners about the board of directors election and encouraging them to vote. We also understand that successful democracy requires information. That is why we publish our Currents magazine. Each issue includes an up-to-date financial summary of KIUC and features stories to inform people about what KIUC is doing. Because we are owned by each of you, we want you to know what is going on from our financials to our strategic plan.
You will see communications from the co-op supporting the community. For example, we subsidize messages for local charities in our bill mailers, we have programs to support Kaua‘i’s youth, and we support local non profit organizations with our sponsor program.
KIUC’s commitment to informing our members is enshrined in the fifth cooperative principle guiding each of the almost 1,000 rural electric cooperatives in the U.S. — the commitment to educate, train and inform.
KIUC board members do not have retirement programs.
Directors receive a stipend for serving on the board, currently $176.07 per day of service. If a director wishes to defer their stipend, they may do so by putting their stipend in a deferred income account with National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. No member of the current board is participating in this program.
The Federally Funded Revolving Loan Fund is not derived from member electric bill payments.
The board did not approve a “substantial monetary gift” to a private school. The board approved the application of Island School for a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grants program, a unique tool available to KIUC to benefit our community. The program works like this: when the application is approved, RUS will give $300,000 to KIUC’s revolving loan fund (the moneys are not derived from member dollars), KIUC then lends the money at no interest to the community organization. We have had the opportunity to complete the process with Kauai Hospice, are in the middle of the process with National Tropical Botanical Gardens, and are hopeful our third application is approved so we can continue to assist in the economic development of our community.
Dennis M. Esaki
Chairman, board of directors, KIUC
Grateful for dedication
As the flag football season comes to an end, we would like to send our deepest gratitude to Kauai Police Department Officer Mark Ozaki for all of his hard work and dedication to the youth of Kaua‘i. Not only through flag football, but through jiu jitsu, wrestling, basketball and cheer. It gave our children something to look forward to and kept the parents busy. Regardless of the “board” or questionable support, “Uncle Mark” has nurtured K-PAL into the outstanding program that it is today.
Thanks, Mark.
Thompson family
Anahola
We all benefit from enlightenment
Mr. Joseph Lavery’s letter (“Give racial references a rest,” Letters, July 11) shows a curious reaction. He’s “sick” of hearing people “whine” about the racial discord on this island? We are supposed to feel sorry for him that he has to read about problems? We are supposed to agree with him that people who choose to make issues known are simply complaining? Is that what it means to him? That kind of logic would have us believe that the abused spouse who finally speaks up about the beatings is “whining.” The teachers who have first-hand knowledge and suggest ways that the school systems could improve are “whining.” The charities asking for money to improve quality of life for the homeless, those with AIDS, neglected children or whatever are “whining.” The residents who struggle to make ends meet and afford the high price of housing are “whining.”
It is my assumption that when people feel strongly enough about something to write to the newspaper, it is because they hope that by bringing an issue to light, it will help move a topic from a darkness of ignorance or denial into a dialogue of enlightenment. What discord or misunderstanding in our world is ever solved by over-simplifying, ignoring or refusing to believe that solutions and improvements are even necessary?
Mr. Lavery states that people should examine whether they are part of the problem (always a wise suggestion). Then his letter goes on to give the impression that he would just as soon see this topic swept under the rug because he’s tired of hearing about it; and besides it’s only “silly rhetoric.” Yes, conveniently out of sight, out of mind.
When we dismiss a concern, how can we possibly gather the facts that might make a difference in our attitudes? I personally would rather be a part of a process that gathers information and works toward solutions and change. I look forward to the opinion letters written by those who encourage us all to broaden, not narrow, our visions.
Martha E. Hodges
Princeville
Raze the roofs
When is all this whining (“Tensions rise over roofs,” Letters, July 11) over the bike path going to end? If there is a problem about trying to see the views over the roof of the pavilions, then why were pavilions planned to be there in the first place? I guess we better have the pavilions totally removed, because I may not be able to see the view around one of the pillars.
Wouldn’t planting trees around the pavilion, for shade purposes also cause views to be obstructed? And don’t forget about the watering and maintenance associated with these shade trees (can’t just spray poison to control growth as you see being done alongside our roadways).
This bike path has been how many years in the making? Just get it finished already.
I think I may run for County Council in the next election; my boyfriend will verify that I may very well hold the trophy on “whining.” Any other whiners out there, you may very well qualify for one of the other six available seats; pacifiers will be provided.
Francine M. Grace
Kalaheo
