Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 6, 2012

HELCO's long-term plans, including purchasing biofuel refined from feedstock grown in Ka`u, is the topic at the company's meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

TONIGHT HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. takes public input for its long-term planning. The meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Community Center involves a presentation from the utility company concerning its future plans for renewable energy. This is the last of three public meetings during this planning phase, with one this week in Hilo and another in Waikoloa. Pahala was chosen given the proposal for a refinery off Wood Valley Road and a biofuel farm to be established in pasture and shrub lands between Pahala and Na`alehu.

      During the Monday meeting, incoming state Senator Russell Ruderman was represented by Richard Bidleman. Bidleman announced that Ruderman will be taking his opposition to expanding geothermal to the Senate. He said Ruderman believes that solar is the preferred sustainable energy source for Hawai`i rather than geothermal. Bidleman also addressed the high costs of electricity, saying that HELCO has a responsibility to stockholders who have invested in the company, but because they are a public monopoly, they also have an obligation to ratepayers. Bidleman said later that his own home is on net metering with HELCO, feeding power created from solar back into the grid. He said he has lived off the grid with solar and on the grid with solar and prefers to be making power to feed into the utility so he doesn’t have to maintain batteries to store energy for his home.

KAHU 91.7 FM COMMUNITY RADIO IS DISMANTLING ITS ONLY TOWER, according to a press release sent out statewide. The release from Christine Kaehuaea, who says she is the owner, president/director and station general manager, states that KAHU “is in the process of dismantling its only tower site in Na`alehu, in the southern region of Hawai`i Island due to the station’s increasing operational expenses over the last year and lack of consistent public, local business and corporate funding.”

Some transmission equipment moved from KAHU 91.7 FM radio station
to a site near Na`alehu in Oct. 2011 will return to the station, says general
manager Christine Kaehuaea. Photo by Julia Neal

      She writes that she and her management team “have decided to strip the station down to its studs and stabilize the foundation of the organization with a new simplified direction.
Upon FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approval in December, antennas and equipment will be removed from the Na`alehu tower, with some pieces being liquidated and some re-installed at the radio station in Pahala.”
      Says Kaehuaea: “The downsizing will reduce the overall budget and allow for more focus on funding acquisitions, while ensuring a reduced but consistent FM broadcast from its transmitter in Pahala.
      “Continued servicing of KAHU 91.7 FM’s global community will remain in tack with the ability to ‘listen live’ via any mobile device or computer as the station slowly rebuilds during the next two years.
      “Downsizing will enable our station to lower its expenses while still providing service,” Kaehuaea says, “with our monthly expenses at approximately $8,500, coupled with the lack of consistent and substantial funding, we’ve had to weigh our options to either downsize and regroup or risk permanent closure by the end of December 2012, which would heavily impact the communities we literally serve in the District of Ka`u, especially in the event of an emergency. “With all of the people that have invested in keeping us on the air, I’m proud to say that we’ve chosen to keep swimming.”
      Kaehuaea also says that “as a Native Hawaiian owned and operated community radio station, KAHU 91.7 FM is the only radio station heard from Volcano to Na`alehu and impacts 11,225 residents from Ocean View to Volcano and down to Kalapana, as well as approximately 398,695 visitors that pass through the Ka’u.”
      She also states that “co-owner of KAHU 91.7 FM and director of Ka`u Community Radio Inc., Wendell J. Kaehuaea, has retired from daily radio station operations.”
      Kaehuaea said that recently the radio station has been receiving help from members of `O Ka`u Kakou. OKK has donated some money and helped clean up the parking lot across from the where the station is sponsoring the Wednesday farmers market. On her own, Nadine Ebert has a morning show on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon.

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS encourages Native Hawaiian students and young professionals to apply for a full-ride scholarship for the spring 2013 semester at George Washington University. The recipient would also have an opportunity to work on Capitol Hill. Applications for the scholarship, sponsored by the Native American Political Leadership Program, are due Saturday, Dec. 15. For more information and to apply online, visit semesterinwashington.gwu.edu. 

TESTIMONY REGARDING THE PROPOSED CONTRACT between `Aina Koa Pono and HELCO is available on the Public Utilities Commission website.

CHRIS MANFREDI, OF KA`U FARM & RANCH CO., which he says leases approximately 6,000 acres of coffee farms and ranches to nearly 40 families in Ka`u, sent testimony in opposition of the project.

Chris Manfredi

      “The applicant uses the Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook high estimate to calculate the cost assumptions to the ratepayer through the biofuels surcharge,” Manfredi writes. “This estimate pegs the price from $175-200 per barrel for the life of the contract. It’s unreasonable to ask the public to pay a higher price for biofuels based on this projected estimate. The low estimate hovers around $60 per barrel, and the AEO reference used in 2012 is approximately $90-130 for the same period. Cherry-picking the high estimate makes an unfair and overreaching assumption. This approach fits the AKP narrative that claims their project would stabilize the cost of energy and minimize price spikes. Raising the cost to continually high levels to eliminate price spikes is clearly not consistent with the public interest.
      “Despite claims, the technology licensed by AKP is unproven. Nowhere in the world is microwave depolymerization being utilized to produce biofuels on the scale described by AKP. It is premature and unreasonable to ask ratepayers (to) participate in a process that stretches the limits of technical plausibility. The European Union Joint Research Centre has a methodology by which the viability of emerging biofuels technologies may be measured. The PUC has a duty to seek out industry professionals to analyze feasibility and to obtain third-party verification of the technology upon which the application is based. Alternatively, the applicant should first demonstrate the feasibility of the technology and the agricultural plan, and allow costs to stabilize before asking the public to participate.
      Other topics covered by Manfredi include impacts on the livestock industry, air quality, watersheds and use of public roadways.

      Manfredi concludes, “The project poses threats to food production, bio diversity, and a diversified local economy. History has taught us that monocropping leads to boom and bust cycles that are dependent on economic and biological influences that are often beyond our control. A diverse economy for Ka`u is the sure way to advance a resilient, sustainable community.
      Manfredi’s entire letter, as well as other testimony, can be read at puc.hawaii.gov/dockets. Docket number is 2012-0185.

Richard Onishi

STATE REP. RICHARD ONISHI is holding public meetings to gather input about residents’ concerns and issues that he can take to the state Legislature. Sunday’s meeting will be at Pahala Community Center from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other meetings are tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Hilo AJA Hall and Monday at 7 p.m. at Kea`au Community Center. His contact number is 808-586-6120. 

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee holds a business meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. “This is a business meeting and not intended as a community forum to discuss draft CDP materials or strategies,” said long-range planner Ron Whitmore. 

      The two business items are an update on CDP production and an orientation to the CDP background analysis. “Public comment on agenda items is always welcome and encouraged,” Whitmore said.

MAILE YAMANAKA PRESENTS a brief history of Hawai`i in Myth, Chant, Dance & Song from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Hula from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Keiki Hula from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at Volcano Art Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Call 937-4249 for more information.

PAHALA COMMUNITY CEMETERY CELEBRATION takes place tomorrow at 10 a.m. to commemorate completion of renovations. `O Ka`u Kakou led the renovation efforts, with Olson Trust II, Island Rock Masonry, Ka`u Andrade Contracting, Inc. and Taylor Built Construction, Inc. contributing money, material and/or machinery. Various community groups volunteered labor.

Sign up to participate in Pahala Christmas Parade this Sunday.

SENIORS ARE INVITED FOR LUNCH & BINGO tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Organizers ask participants to bring a donation of canned or non-perishable food. For transportation, call Carol Massey at 929-9001 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.

COMFORT AND JOY is the title of Volcano Festival Chorus’ concert on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert is free, and park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is Sunday at 1 p.m. All community groups and businesses are invited to participate. Call 928-0808 to sign up.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

FIND MORE OF OUR DECEMBER 2012 EVENT PHOTOS ON OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT. 

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 5, 2012

Wind power generates more electricity than needed in homes for Ka`u, but not all is purchased by the electric company.
 Photo by Peter Anderson

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. held the first in a series of public meetings last night, designed to take public input regarding its long-term planning. Another meeting will be held at Waikoloa tonight at 6 p.m. and another at Pahala Community Center at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Barry Mizuno was the only
Aloha Advisory group
member on hand.

      Last night, the company presented elements of its 20-year outlook with several scenarios. The meeting was held at `Imiloa in Hilo and was attended mostly by community members who are passionate about various alternative energy futures for the island. The meeting was designed for the members of an Aloha Advisory Board to HELCO to take information from the public. However, only one member, Barry Mizuno, a former Puna Geothermal Ventures manager, and now independent energy consultant, was in attendance among the more than 30 members of the public and representatives of the utility.

      HELCO representatives said that planning for the future involves preparing for many possible scenarios and named several:
      BLAZING A NEW FRONTIER takes into account a future in which oil prices are very high and sentiment is to expand clean energy. “Community sentiment motivates policy makers to progress briskly and boldly toward integrating renewable energy to mitigate the rising ad high cost of fuel generation on electricity rates.”
      STUCK IN THE MIDDLE is another scenario describing “a world in which oil prices grow from 2012 levels and where interest in meeting clean energy goals continues and yet remains mired in indecision. Different visions of how to achieve a more viable energy future, coupled with frustration over current economic conditions, lead to continuing debate on solutions and little policy changes.”
      NO BURNING DESIRE describes a “world in which oil prices are lower than 2012 resulting in little interest toward meeting clean energy goals. Complacency rides high as the motivation toward clean energy future of increased renewables wanes.”
      MOVED BY PASSION is a “world in which oil prices grow from 2012 levels but sentiment to support or expand clean energy goals is driven more by principles than need, especially since the economy is growing. Visionary leadership and a spirit of compromise continue to make Hawai`i a leader in renewable energy generation, albeit at a more considered pace.”

      During the public input session, HELCO representatives explained that 39.5 percent of the electricity created here is dependent on burning oil and that most of the oil comes from Indonesia to the refinery on O`ahu. Less than four percent comes from the Middle East.

John Ota asked whether HELCO and
the PUC keep rates high.
County Council photo

      JOHN OTA asked why the high amount of alternative energy being used on the Big Island is costing the same as oil-produced electricity. He accused HELCO and the PUC with keeping electric rates high. He asked whether the utility will “just grow bigger and bigger? And who is going to pay it? The customer. Who is going to suffer? The customer.”
      CORY HARDEN talked about environmental impacts of various energy scenarios, including alternatives to oil. She talked about solar roofs as an approach to lower risk of large energy producers, like geothermal being cut off and leaving large populations in the dark. She said that micro energy productions could be studied, from flags waving, producing small amounts of energy to tiny wheels at the bottom of rainspouts turning to make electricity. She said that she also hopes planning will take into consideration such risks as putting power plants close to the ocean where they could be wiped out by tsunamis.
         JON OLSON said many people going off the grid “decide not to deal with the electric company at all.” From an accounting perspective, he said, “if I own a system, it is an asset. If I pay HELCO, it is a liability.”

       ONE CITIZEN asked why HELCO isn’t investing in owning more alternative energy facilities, rather than depending on outside companies to own them. She reminded the group that HELCO began with 100 percent renewable energy from the hydroelectric plant on Wailuku River in Hilo.
      HELCO president Jay Ignacio contributed more history, mentioning the sugar companies that used to make electricity by burning bagasse, the byproduct of sugar cane harvesting. He said HELCO may be looking at doing a wind farm at some point.

Jon Olson

      ROGER MEEKER, an attorney and property developer, noted that wind generates about 13 percent of HELCO’s power for the Big Island. On Maui at the beginning of 2013, a third wind farm will go online, and Maui will have 72 megawatts, which is 38 to 39 percent of Maui’s total grid, Meeker said. He asked whether this could happen on the Big Island – to incorporate more wind for the grid. 

      He also pointed to a “curtailment policy” when there is more wind and hyrdroelectric energy produced that the electric company will purchase. Ignacio explained that those producing wind and hydro understand that HELCO cannot always take all the power available and that those signing contracts with HELCO are aware of the situation. Some potential windmill ventures decline to sign a contract and abandon their project before investing in it because of the curtailment clause, he said.
      Meeker also explained that the oldest renewable energy source with a HELCO contract is the last to be curtailed. The newest renewables are most likely to have less energy purchased by the power company. This makes it increasingly more risky to invest in renewables, said Meeker.
      See more in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.

TESTIMONY REGARDING THE PROPOSED CONTRACT between `Aina Koa Pono and HELCO is available on the Public Utilities Commission website.

`AINA KOA PONO PARTNER CHRIS ELDRIDGE submitted a letter to the PUC to “clarify misconceptions” and respond to “questions and misstatements” which he says were in some of the public testimony sent to the PUC.

Chris Eldridge

      “Issues of cost were raised a number of times in testimony,” Eldridge writes. “As the PUC is aware, AKP is constrained from discussing costs by our agreement with the utility. We rely on the Commission to sort out the misinformation in opponent testimony.
      “One point we do want to make, however, is that there is a misleading number expressed in both testimony and recurring commentaries in the general and online media. Our product is being erroneously compared to the cost of a barrel of oil and likening it to $200 a barrel of oil, with oil now at about $110 (Brent Crude; HELCO estimates a higher cost of about $126) a barrel.
      Any estimates of our costs (and we do not agree the $200 a barrel cost for our product) must be compared to the cost of a barrel of diesel including shipping costs to the Big Island. Diesel is a refined product, and its cost is considerably higher than a barrel of oil.
      “Opponent testimony also alleged approval of this contract would set a bad precedent for other biofuels proposals,” Eldridge says. “We would argue this is not the case. Discussion in the industry is that stimulation of the industry will necessarily require initial higher-cost projects that will drive demand and subsequently lower costs.
      “Another cost point raised by opponent testimony is higher electric rates mean tougher climate for small business,” says Eldridge. “We understand this concern and reiterate that the additional cost for AKP’s diesel to Keahole is ONLY if the cost of comparable imported diesel hasn’t increased beyond AKP’s price. Over the last six years or so, petroleum prices have increased more than 300 percent higher than federal forecasts. (USEIA forecasts)
            Other topics addressed by Eldridge include:

• AKP’s selected feedstock crops; 
• Questions of how ranchers will be accommodated; 
• The notion that AKP will import raw materials from the mainland or haul trash to Ka`u to be processed at the biorefinery; 
• Questions about the amount of biofuel that will be produced from the 12,000 acres used to cultivate feedstock crops; 
• Why Keahole power plant isn’t converted to geothermal; 
• Who would assume the costs of Keahole being modified to handle the biofuel; 
• Whether AKP’s Environmental Assessment will meet state and federal standards; 
• The possibility of an Environmental Impact Statement; 
• Whether some of the biofuel will be used by the military; 
• The social impact the project will have on the area in terms of jobs; 
• Whether people will want to visit or stay in an area because of AKP’s biorefinery. 

Maile Yamanaka at Volcano Art Center. Photo by Marsha Hee

      Eldridge’s entire letter, as well as other testimony, can be read at puc.hawaii.gov/dockets. Docket number is 2012-0185.

ON FRIDAY AT VOLCANO ART CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Maile Yamanaka presents a brief history of Hawai`i in Myth, Chant, Dance & Song from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Hula from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Keiki Hula from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call 937-4249 for more information.

SENIOR LUNCH & BINGO takes place Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Organizers ask participants to bring a donation of canned or non-perishable food. For transportation, call Carol Massey at 929-9001 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.

Kilauea Military Camp Theater hosts Volcano Festival Chorus Saturday.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS PERFORMS a selection of holiday music entitled Comfort and Joy on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Presented by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network, the chorus is under the direction of Roch Jones with accompaniment by Cinnie Decker. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371 

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is Sunday at 1 p.m. All community groups and businesses are invited to participate. Call 928-0808 to sign up.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE meets Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. More information is available at kaucdp.info or from Ron Whitmore at 961-8137.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

FIND MORE OF OUR DECEMBER 2012 EVENT PHOTOS ON OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT. 

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 4, 2012

Mitch Roth, at left, along with County Council members including Brenda Ford, fourth from left, were sworn in yesterday.
Photo from Big Island Video News

BRENDA FORD was sworn in as the District 6 member of the County Council yesterday. Serving her fourth land last term as a Council member due to term limitations, she told The Ka`u Calendar that she will concentrate on infrastructure, such as new water wells for remote communities along the south Kona coast, for new waterlines and additional wells to serve the Ka Lae area and will follow the construction and opening of the new Ka`u Gymnasium & Disaster Shelter, which is getting underway this week by fencing of the construction area with a barrier to protect the school grounds and neighbors. 

MITCH ROTH was sworn in as County Prosecuting Attorney. Roth promises more problem solving and community work in preventing crime. He won the general election with a narrow victory over Lincoln Ashida.

MAILE DAVID took the post of deputy county clerk yesterday. A legislative researcher, she accepted the new job after narrowly losing her bid for County Council, which would have made her the representative for Ka`u, Volcano and South Kona. David is known for her land use litigation to preserve culturally significant places and parks.

Jamae Kawauchi

JAMAE KAWAUCHI, who left the county clerk position, was praised by outgoing County Council chair Dominic Yagong, who said that naming her county clerk position was the best decision he has ever made. Kawauchi is expected to go back into private practice as an attorney. Yagong, who lost the Democratic primary to Mayor Billy Kenoi, was described by Council member Brenda Ford as “the most courageous Council member ever.” 

BRITTANY SMART, who declined to run for re-election as District 6’s County Council member and lost in a race for the state House of Representatives, was praised by incoming District 6 Council member Brenda Ford. Ford called her the most intelligent person she has met.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI celebrated his re-election last night at the former C. Brewer Wainaku Executive Center on Hilo Bay, which is being renovated to become an event venue and visitor destination by Olson Trust. A supporter of Kenoi, Pahala resident and retired police officer Bobby Gomes led the crowd in a toast and cheer. Fireworks lit up the sky above the historic building. Kenoi thanked all of his supporters and talked about the citizens across the island working together for a better future. On hand were many of his department heads, including Wally Lau, who will be the first county managing director with his main office in Kona.

BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION is urging community members to come to this Thursday’s Hawai`i Electric Light Co. public meeting of its Aloha Advisory Board at Pahala Community Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The organization, which opposes the `Aina Koa Pono project planned for land between Pahala and Na`alehu with a refinery off Wood Valley Road, states: “This week the PUC is coming to the Big Island to hear what you tell HELCO.... We know that you care about lowering our electric rates. HELCO says electric rates will rise for several years and then become less volatile. Is that what you want?” The Coalition states that its members believe that citizens would prefer lower rates. “Now is the chance to tell the electric utility how their actions - past, present, and future - impact your life. We hope that you will be able to attend.” Those unable to attend can email comments to public@irpie.com. 

      Meetings outside of Ka`u are being held tonight at 6 p.m. at `Imiloa Center in Hilo and Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Waikoloa Elementary School. See more at www.bigislandcommunitycoalition.com and www.irpie.com for the long-term planning documents being written by the electric company.

MORE TESTIMONY RECEIVED BEFORE LAST MONTH’S DEADLINE on the proposed contract for `Aina Koa Pono to sell biofuel refined in Ka`u to HELCO is on the Public Utilities Commissions website. 

“I SUPPORT THE KA`U ENERGY FARM PROJECT,” writes Louisiana resident Geri Cuddihy, who has been hosting small meetings in Ka`u in support of `Aina Koa Pono. “Here are my reasons why:

Geri Cuddihy spoke at a recent PUC
meeting. Photo by Julia Neal

      “Point 1: The continuous microwave thermal catalytic depolymerization is proven technology. The technology works. We have a pilot plant in North Carolina that proves the process works. I visited the plant with my family.
      “Point 2: Biodiesel is better than regular diesel. Power plants need to meet 2009 federal mandates to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gases by more than 80 percent, it is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar in water.
      “Point 3: Ka`u Energy Farm will create new jobs that will pay well at union wages. We need jobs in Ka`u. The 2010 U.S. Census reported Pahala as severely distressed with 23.92 percent of people in poverty and net income Is at only 50.4 percent of the average mean income for the state of Hawai`i. For the sake of our children, support the Ka`u Energy Farm Project, too.”
      “Point 4: Our Ka`u project will have ATEX certification, which means the system designed by AECOM engineers will be explosion-proof and earthquake-proof. In addition, vice president of TekGar, Douglas Van Thor, has previously explained to Ka`u residents that the Farady Cage is a metal cage that doesn’t allow microwave to pass through. The Farady Cage has ceramic covering the microwave retort first, followed by a steel covering. Furthermore, an insulated material like Nansulate Insulation will cover everything: for corrosion prevention, from Vog leeching, to being a chemical- and flame-resistant coating which insulates equipment and reduces energy costs. This will also insulate surfaces up to 400 degrees for both metal and nonmetal surfaces and reduce surface temperature for worker safety and lower energy consumption. The frequency of our microwave retort is the same as the microwave oven used in our homes.”

BIG ISLAND RESIDENT ANTHONY KENT OPPOSES the contract in his testimony to the PUC. “What I read was that AKP will be paid $200 per barrel of biofuel, and that the contract will last for 20 years. Oil prices have been volatile, but the 52-week high for crude oil is $109 per barrel, and the price today is $89 per barrel. I have read economic forecasts that project oil prices to reach $200 per barrel in 2035! Are the residents of Hawai`i supposed to subsidize the cost of the biofuels until oil prices catches up? Then, will a new contract be written to once again subsidize preferred fuel providers? It just seems like a strange coincidence.

      “I read Richard Ha’s testimonial. He makes a very salient point: ‘Rising electricity rates act like a regressive tax - the folks on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder suffer the most. But it is worse; as electricity prices rise, folks that can afford to leave the grid will do so, leaving the folks unable to leave to assume more of the grid infrastructure cost.’
      “I understand the desire and need for alternative fuel sources (and fully support thoughtful, appropriate measures). However, this AKP contract doesn’t seem to meet those criteria. Is $200 per barrel the cost of production? How can it be when it is fixed over 20 years? Will AKP’s production costs not change? What are the true benefits to the residents of Hawai`i? If my testimony makes me look uninformed, it’s because I am! I cannot support, and I request that you do not support this or any other power generation contract without more transparency (and) clear public communication. Such a long-term contract without the ability to adjust for appropriate pricing cannot be allowed. Residents may very likely end up paying more than we should. Conversely, AKP could run into a situation where the contracted rate does not cover their costs and they are out of business.
      “What I have read regarding this contract does not make sense. HELCO can purchase fuel much more inexpensively, as-is. The contract is touted as being no-risk to ratepayers, but it does transfer a large portion of the risk to ratepayers. AKP does not have a clear plan for maintaining production levels once existing feedstocks are depleted. I urge you to not execute this AKP contract.”
      To see more testimony and other documents regarding the proposed contract, visit puc.hawaii.gov/dockets. Docket number is 2012-0185.

State Representative-elect
Richard Onishi

STATE REP. RICHARD ONISHI PUBLIC INPUT meetings in Ka`u and Volcano have been scheduled for tomorrow through next Monday. Wednesday’s meeting will be at Volcano Art Center from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday’s meeting will be at Pahala Community Center from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Onishi’s District 3 for the state House of Representative spans from South Hilo - there will be a meeting Friday at 7 p.m. in Hilo AJA Hall, through Kea`au - there will be a meeting next Monday at 7 p.m. at Kea`au Community Center and through Puna, Volcano and Pahala to Honu`apo. He defeated Brittany Smart in the Democratic primary and is organizing his legislative agenda and staffing ahead of taking office in January. His contact number is 808-586-6120. 

PAHALA COMMUNITY CEMETERY CELEBRATION takes place Friday at 10 a.m. to commemorate completion of renovations. `O Ka`u Kakou led the renovation efforts, with Olson Trust II, Island Rock Masonry, Ka`u Andrade Contracting, Inc. and Taylor Built Construction, Inc. contributing money, material and/or machinery. Various community groups volunteered labor.

SENIORS ARE INVITED TO LUNCH & BINGO Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Call Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE takes place on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. Community groups, businesses and others are invited to participate. Call 928-0808 to sign up.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

FIND MORE OF OUR DECEMBER 2012 EVENT PHOTOS ON OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT.