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| HELCO'S envisioned future state for technology supporting the electric grid. Image from HELCO |
The filing follows the submission of the companies’ draft report in late June. The draft was posted online and presented at four public meetings on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu to review the strategy with customers, answer their questions and receive their comments.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:
Dozens of written comments and transcripts of the public meetings are included in a separate document that accompanied the filing. The plan, Modernizing Hawaiʻi’s Grid for Our Customers, "outlines near-term initiatives that strengthen the grid through investments in technology to enable more renewable energy resources to be safely and efficiently integrated with the grid, including private rooftop solar. Longer term, the strategy is to continue to evolve the grid as a platform to enable greater customer choice and support statewide economic development and smart communities efforts that rely on robust data and energy management systems," says the statement.
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| Current state of technology supporting the HELCO grid. Image from HELCO |
The Companies estimate it will cost $205 million to update the energy networks of Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co, Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric over the next six years. The plan aims to help bring on more renewable resources – customer-sited and grid-sourced – increase reliability, and give customers new choices to manage their energy use.
The electric company names highlights of planned near-term work:
Distribution of smart meters strategically rather than system-wide, i.e., to customers with private rooftop solar on saturated circuits and customers interested in demand response programs, variable rates or electricity usage data;
- Reliance on advanced inverter technology to enable greater rooftop solar adoption;
- Expanded use of voltage management tools, especially on circuits with heavy solar penetration to maximize circuit capacities for private rooftop solar and other customer resources; and
- Enhanced outage management and notification technology.
To read the filing, use the following link: www.hawaiielectriclight.com/gridmod.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
COOLING KA'Ū SCHOOLS MADE THE STATE LIST of heat abatement accomplishments announced by the office of Gov. David Ige today. Ka'ū High & Elementary received ceiling fans in seven classrooms. Nā'ālehu Elementary received fans for 21 classrooms. Elsewhere air conditioning was placed in 1,000 classrooms.
The announcement reported on heat abatement across the state, including such innovations as solar-powered ventilators at such schools as Moloka'i High and Hokulani Elementary.
Schools with 100 percent of classrooms with air conditioning include De Silva Elementary and Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate on the Big Island plus 22 schools elsewhere in the state.
The governor reports that 22 schools now have central air conditioning, including Kea'au and Konawaena on the Big Island. The estimated cost of installing AC at all state schools is $1.7 billion. The current annual electric bill for all state schools is $48 million and would increase significantly, according to state school planners.
An additional proposal to keep students cooler is to start school later in the year. "By law (Act 167), the school year must include 180 student instructional days. We will continue to work with unions, the Board of Education and the Legislature on this pressing issue," says the DOE statement.
See the Heat Abatement Program at Public Schools website.
HŪ HONUA, which plans to harvest 3,500 acres of eucalyptus trees on Kamehameha Schools land above Kapāpala and Pāhala, held a celebration on Wednesday to kick off the final construction phase of its $250 million power plant at the defunct Hilo Coast Processing Co. mill near Pepeekeo.
Hawai'i Electric Light Co. has signed a contract for 21.5 megawatts with Hū Honua.
According to a story in Hawai'i Tribune Herald today, Hū Honua envisions 30 permanent employees at the power plant, 130 ongoing forestry jobs plus 250 construction jobs to finish the power plant.
Some 4,500 acres at the Pinnacle eucalyptus forest north of Hilo is also targeted for harvesting and the company plans to replant the tree farms to keep the energy growing. Another 10,000 acres of Kamehameha Schools land may go into production to help keep the power plant running.
Life of the Land has filed suit in the Hawai'i Supreme Court, attempting to reverse the Public Utilities Commission approval of the project. According to Life of the Land, it is the first such suit related to climate change. See a future story on Life of the Land's stand.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
KA'Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN will be considered for adoption at the Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee's next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 9:15 a.m. The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at hawaiicounty.granicus.com/viewpublisher.php?view_id=1 and the Ka'ū CDP Steering Committee agenda can be found at: hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-6-2017.
The announcement reported on heat abatement across the state, including such innovations as solar-powered ventilators at such schools as Moloka'i High and Hokulani Elementary.
Schools with 100 percent of classrooms with air conditioning include De Silva Elementary and Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate on the Big Island plus 22 schools elsewhere in the state.
The governor reports that 22 schools now have central air conditioning, including Kea'au and Konawaena on the Big Island. The estimated cost of installing AC at all state schools is $1.7 billion. The current annual electric bill for all state schools is $48 million and would increase significantly, according to state school planners.
An additional proposal to keep students cooler is to start school later in the year. "By law (Act 167), the school year must include 180 student instructional days. We will continue to work with unions, the Board of Education and the Legislature on this pressing issue," says the DOE statement.
See the Heat Abatement Program at Public Schools website.
HŪ HONUA, which plans to harvest 3,500 acres of eucalyptus trees on Kamehameha Schools land above Kapāpala and Pāhala, held a celebration on Wednesday to kick off the final construction phase of its $250 million power plant at the defunct Hilo Coast Processing Co. mill near Pepeekeo.Hawai'i Electric Light Co. has signed a contract for 21.5 megawatts with Hū Honua.
According to a story in Hawai'i Tribune Herald today, Hū Honua envisions 30 permanent employees at the power plant, 130 ongoing forestry jobs plus 250 construction jobs to finish the power plant.
Some 4,500 acres at the Pinnacle eucalyptus forest north of Hilo is also targeted for harvesting and the company plans to replant the tree farms to keep the energy growing. Another 10,000 acres of Kamehameha Schools land may go into production to help keep the power plant running.
Life of the Land has filed suit in the Hawai'i Supreme Court, attempting to reverse the Public Utilities Commission approval of the project. According to Life of the Land, it is the first such suit related to climate change. See a future story on Life of the Land's stand.To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
KA'Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN will be considered for adoption at the Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee's next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 9:15 a.m. The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at hawaiicounty.granicus.com/viewpublisher.php?view_id=1 and the Ka'ū CDP Steering Committee agenda can be found at: hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-6-2017.
Note that although the Ka'ū CDP agenda states that the meeting will convene at 9 a.m., the County Council website has just been updated to reflect a start time of 9:15 a.m. The entire Ka'ū Community Development Plan can be read at www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:
Girls Volleyball: tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 1, Ka'ū vs. Lapahoehoe, away game.
Eight-Man Football: Saturday, Sept. 2, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away game.
Cross Country: Saturday, Sept. 2, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, away meet.
AN EVENING WITH JOHN DAWSON is free to attend tonight, August 31, at 7 p.m. in the Volcano Art Center. Donations accepted. For more details call 967-8222.
Live Long and Prosper Mighty 'Ōhi'a a collection of paintings and illustrations that focus on the highly variable display of ‘ōhi’a lehua trees found within the park is currently available for viewing daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 8, at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Gallery viewings are free, though park entrance fees apply.
SUNFLOWER CRAFT REGISTRATION for keiki ages 6 to 14 opens tomorrow Sept. 1 and continues through Sept. 15. The craft class will take place on Monday, Sept. 18, at Kahuku Park from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 929-9113 for more.
KA'Ū COMMUNITY FUN DAY & FUN-RAISING EVENT offered by Hope Dia-Mend Ministries is set to take place this Saturday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Nā'ālehu Community Center and field. For more information, call 808-929-8137 or visit hopedia-mendministries.com/jubilee. The event flyer also indicates entertainment, a keiki water slide and bouncy castle, a silent auction, Portuguese horseshoe tournament, classic car displays, vendor booths, carnival games and jail & rail. As part of the fundraising effort, chicken plates will be pre-sold at $10 each or 5 for $45 and chili & rice plates will be pre-sold at $5 each or 5 for $22. Game wristbands will be pre-sold at $10 each and can be purchased for $15 each at the event. Organizers welcome event sponsors and donations.
GREEN MACHINE: A Tiki Mama event sponsoring Hawai'i Island Food Bank takes place Saturday, Sept. 2, at Tiki Mama's, along Hwy. 11, on Road to the Sea. Gates open at 4 p.m. A donation of $10 and a one can of food is suggested.
REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, a moderately difficult two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. The hike is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike. For more information, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
Live Long and Prosper Mighty 'Ōhi'a a collection of paintings and illustrations that focus on the highly variable display of ‘ōhi’a lehua trees found within the park is currently available for viewing daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 8, at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Gallery viewings are free, though park entrance fees apply.
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| For more details, see yesterday's briefs. |
KA'Ū COMMUNITY FUN DAY & FUN-RAISING EVENT offered by Hope Dia-Mend Ministries is set to take place this Saturday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Nā'ālehu Community Center and field. For more information, call 808-929-8137 or visit hopedia-mendministries.com/jubilee. The event flyer also indicates entertainment, a keiki water slide and bouncy castle, a silent auction, Portuguese horseshoe tournament, classic car displays, vendor booths, carnival games and jail & rail. As part of the fundraising effort, chicken plates will be pre-sold at $10 each or 5 for $45 and chili & rice plates will be pre-sold at $5 each or 5 for $22. Game wristbands will be pre-sold at $10 each and can be purchased for $15 each at the event. Organizers welcome event sponsors and donations.
GREEN MACHINE: A Tiki Mama event sponsoring Hawai'i Island Food Bank takes place Saturday, Sept. 2, at Tiki Mama's, along Hwy. 11, on Road to the Sea. Gates open at 4 p.m. A donation of $10 and a one can of food is suggested.
REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, a moderately difficult two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. The hike is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike. For more information, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HIKE TO THE TOP OF PU'U O LOKUANA this Sunday, Sept. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū on this free, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top. For more detail, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HAM RADIO OPERATORS INVITES all American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families to attend a potluck picnic on Sunday, Sept. 3, at Manukā Park. For more details, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.
A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING is set for Monday, Sept. 4, 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more details, call 939-7033.
KA'Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS TUESDAY, Sept. 5, from 6 pm. to 8 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center.
REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.
HAM RADIO OPERATORS INVITES all American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families to attend a potluck picnic on Sunday, Sept. 3, at Manukā Park. For more details, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.
KA'Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS TUESDAY, Sept. 5, from 6 pm. to 8 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center.
REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.
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| Pick up the August edition of The Ka`u Calendar delivered free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka`u, from Miloli`i through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout the district. See it online at www.kaucalendar.com |
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| http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017.swf |
