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| Na`alehu Indendence Day Parade is a month away from today on Saturday, June 28. Last year, Hawaiian Civic Club members handed out lei during the parade. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Hurricane Amanda has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Map from The Weather Channel |
HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE WILL RESPOND to a mock Category Four hurricane June 3 – 5. Civil Defense and other county agencies will participate along with the Red Cross, Army National Guard, community emergency response teams, UH-Hilo’s Performing Arts Department and Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network. Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, reports that during the exercise, county departments will practice removing debris to reach victims and removing fallen power poles and wires. Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira told Callis that they try to keep utility equipment as intact as possible “to allow electrical service to be re-established as quickly as possible.”
Communication systems will also be tested, including using satellite equipment that would be available if other services fail. Amateur radio operators will participate, as well.
While Amanda, the first hurricane of the season, is still active in the eastern Pacific region, Central Pacific Hurricane Center officials are preparing for four to seven tropical cyclones in the Pacific Basin this year.
Information about hurricane preparedness is available at hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY PRESIDENT AND CEO Richard M. Rosenblum has notified the company that he plans to retire within a year. Rosenblum, who turned 64 last month, has served as HECO’s President and CEO and as a member of the company’s board of directors since 2009. He joined the company after a 32-year career at Southern California Edison.
“In 2008, I made the decision to come out of retirement for the challenge of leading an organization embarking on an unprecedented slate of clean energy initiatives,” said Rosenblum. “Today, thanks to collaborative efforts with many partners, our utilities are meeting more than 18 percent of our customers’ energy needs with renewable energy, compared to just eight percent in 2008. We lead the nation in rooftop solar photovoltaic systems per customer, and we’re broadly recognized as an industry leader in the integration of renewable energy.
“DO YOU KNOW THAT HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND we throw away (‘curtail’) tons of electricity from geothermal and wind every night?” asks Hawai`i Department of Agriculture board member Richard Ha on his blog hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. “We can turn this energy into hydrogen fuel cells for transportation, and this can help us solve our transportation fuel problem. It can also be used for nitrogen fertilizer.”
Ha discusses hydrogen as a transportation fuel following Toyota’s announcement that it is moving its attention away from electric vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
“Solar energy projects do not provide curtailed electricity. We need to think about the big picture and be careful about running like lemmings after solar,” Ha says. “Hydrogen fuel cell for transportation is a very good opportunity for the Big Island to use its curtailed electricity. It’s a free resource that already exists; currently, we are just throwing it away.”
While Amanda, the first hurricane of the season, is still active in the eastern Pacific region, Central Pacific Hurricane Center officials are preparing for four to seven tropical cyclones in the Pacific Basin this year.
Information about hurricane preparedness is available at hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Fred Fogel |
FRED FOGEL, OF VOLCANO, HAS FILED PAPERS to run for state House of Representatives, District Three. Running as a Libertarian, Fogel is challenging incumbent Democrat Richard H.K. Onishi, of Hilo.
Fogel’s platform calls for institution of term limits on public offices, voter-approved legislative pay raises, a flat income tax rate and fiscally conservative government with balanced budgets.
Fogel said Libertarians are more progressive than Democrats. “People should have more control and the freedom to do as you like,” he said.
He also calls for more control by the counties, including deciding whether or not to allow gambling.
Fogel said Libertarians are more progressive than Democrats. “People should have more control and the freedom to do as you like,” he said.
He also calls for more control by the counties, including deciding whether or not to allow gambling.
Deadline for those interested in running for public office to file papers is this coming Tuesday, June 3.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY PRESIDENT AND CEO Richard M. Rosenblum has notified the company that he plans to retire within a year. Rosenblum, who turned 64 last month, has served as HECO’s President and CEO and as a member of the company’s board of directors since 2009. He joined the company after a 32-year career at Southern California Edison.
“In 2008, I made the decision to come out of retirement for the challenge of leading an organization embarking on an unprecedented slate of clean energy initiatives,” said Rosenblum. “Today, thanks to collaborative efforts with many partners, our utilities are meeting more than 18 percent of our customers’ energy needs with renewable energy, compared to just eight percent in 2008. We lead the nation in rooftop solar photovoltaic systems per customer, and we’re broadly recognized as an industry leader in the integration of renewable energy.
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| Richard Rosenblum Photo from HECO |
“While I’ve shared my future retirement intentions to allow ample time for a smooth transition, I’m committed to completing the development of our plans for the next phase of our clean energy transformation,” Rosenblum added.
Constance H. Lau, chair of HECO’s board of directors and CEO of parent company Hawaiian Electric Industries, said, “We’ve been fortunate to benefit from Dick’s exceptional knowledge and operational expertise. His passionate focus on improving customer service and reliability, instilling a pervasive culture of safety for our employees and our customers, reducing our dependence on expensive imported oil, and building our talent and management strength has laid a solid foundation for our utilities.
“To help with the transition, I am working with Dick and his team on the ongoing energy planning process as well as the future leadership transition. We’ll ensure we continue to have strong leadership to aggressively move Hawai`i toward a clean energy future,” Lau said.
Constance H. Lau, chair of HECO’s board of directors and CEO of parent company Hawaiian Electric Industries, said, “We’ve been fortunate to benefit from Dick’s exceptional knowledge and operational expertise. His passionate focus on improving customer service and reliability, instilling a pervasive culture of safety for our employees and our customers, reducing our dependence on expensive imported oil, and building our talent and management strength has laid a solid foundation for our utilities.
“To help with the transition, I am working with Dick and his team on the ongoing energy planning process as well as the future leadership transition. We’ll ensure we continue to have strong leadership to aggressively move Hawai`i toward a clean energy future,” Lau said.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
“DO YOU KNOW THAT HERE ON THE BIG ISLAND we throw away (‘curtail’) tons of electricity from geothermal and wind every night?” asks Hawai`i Department of Agriculture board member Richard Ha on his blog hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. “We can turn this energy into hydrogen fuel cells for transportation, and this can help us solve our transportation fuel problem. It can also be used for nitrogen fertilizer.”
Ha discusses hydrogen as a transportation fuel following Toyota’s announcement that it is moving its attention away from electric vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
“Solar energy projects do not provide curtailed electricity. We need to think about the big picture and be careful about running like lemmings after solar,” Ha says. “Hydrogen fuel cell for transportation is a very good opportunity for the Big Island to use its curtailed electricity. It’s a free resource that already exists; currently, we are just throwing it away.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
FREE RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE collection events take place in June. Dates are Saturdays, June 7 at Hilo Recycling and Transfer Station and June 14 at Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Recycling and Transfer Station. Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
These events are for household generated and self-hauled waste only. Business, government agency, nonprofit agency or farm wastes are not allowed. No electronic waste will be accepted.
Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management holds these regular collection events so households can conveniently dispose of acceptable HHW in a manner that protects both public health and the environment. Some types of acceptable HHW are automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent lights and pesticides. Latex paint will be accepted for reuse.
For a more complete list of acceptable or unacceptable HHW, see hawaiizerowaste.org. The website includes other useful information on solid waste diversion and recycling.
For more information, call 961-8554 or email recycle3@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management holds these regular collection events so households can conveniently dispose of acceptable HHW in a manner that protects both public health and the environment. Some types of acceptable HHW are automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent lights and pesticides. Latex paint will be accepted for reuse.
For a more complete list of acceptable or unacceptable HHW, see hawaiizerowaste.org. The website includes other useful information on solid waste diversion and recycling.
For more information, call 961-8554 or email recycle3@co.hawaii.hi.us.
NA`ALEHU INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE & CELEBRATION is one month away from today on Saturday, June 28. The parade begins at 11 a.m.
Following the parade, `O Ka`u Kakou holds its annual event at Na`alehu Park with shave ice, hot dogs, climbing rock wall, water slides, bounce houses, senior Bingo and luncheon.
To participate in the parade, call 929-9872. More information is available at okaukakou.org.
To participate in the parade, call 929-9872. More information is available at okaukakou.org.
TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL for students in Ka`u public schools. The 2014-2015 school year begins Tuesday, Aug. 5.
VOLUNTEERS CAN HELP HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK by cutting invasive Himalayan ginger Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honey creepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round trip into Kilauea caldera down the Halem`auma`u trail, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. The hike involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
This project is open to the public and school groups. For the general public, no reservations are required. Check at Kilauea Visitor Center for more information or contact Andrea Kaawaloa-Okita 808-985-6013.
Stewardship is available for school groups, grades five through college, by submitting a Program Request Form. See the Educational Programs for School Groups page at nps.gov/havo for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
VOLUNTEERS CAN HELP HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK by cutting invasive Himalayan ginger Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honey creepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round trip into Kilauea caldera down the Halem`auma`u trail, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. The hike involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
This project is open to the public and school groups. For the general public, no reservations are required. Check at Kilauea Visitor Center for more information or contact Andrea Kaawaloa-Okita 808-985-6013.
Stewardship is available for school groups, grades five through college, by submitting a Program Request Form. See the Educational Programs for School Groups page at nps.gov/havo for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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