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Energy

Electric Rates to Increase June 1

Sunday, May 27th, 2012

A coming rate increase for Maui Electric Company (MECO) customers will mean a 3.16 percent increase for ratepayers in Maui County. That means a typical Molokai household using 400 kilowatt hours of electricity per month will pay an extra $5.25 on their monthly bill, for a total of about $193.

The interim rate increase was approved last week by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The rate increase is effective June 1.

Originally in July 2011, MECO filed for a 6.7 percent increase, but months of review and discussions with the state Division of Consumer Advocacy culminated in this interim agreement.…

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Energy Assistance Available in June

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

MEO Molokai News Release

Low income families who need a helping hand paying their energy bills have a chance to get assistance next month. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program through Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) that assists low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The program is available only once a year in June.

Applications on Molokai will be accepted June 1 through June 30 only. Eligible residents can qualify for either electric or gas payment assistance, or energy crisis intervention.

To apply, you will need to bring the following documents to the office: photo ID, most current gas or electric bill, proof of residence, social security number verification, proof of age for household members 60 and older and 5 years and younger, proof of income, and proof of assets.…

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Molokai Ranch: New Leadership, Fresh Perspectives

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

New leadership at Molokai Ranch hopes to get a fresh start with the community as they bring sustainability to the forefront and develop and share their ideas for the island.

Former Castle & Cooke director of engineering and development Clay Rumbaoa took over as Molokai Ranch executive director from Peter Nicholas in November 2011. Now, Nancy Schmicker has taken the position of new Ranch Project Manager, and together, Schmicker said they hope to turn over a new leaf for Molokai Ranch and the community.

“Doing what’s right in the community is a huge part of our approach,” she said, after a visit to the island two weeks ago.…

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Telephone Outage at Kalaupapa

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Outside communications at the Kalaupapa settlement were strained for over two weeks when telephone lines stopped working intermittently starting April 23. The outage left the already-isolated settlement with few communication options for daily necessities, and in serious trouble in case of emergency, according to residents.

As of last Thursday morning, May 10, service to most phones had been restored, said Kalauapapa Department of Health (DOH) Administrator Mark Miller. Hawaiian TelCom (HTC) sent a repair team into the settlement and topside Molokai last week to replace equipment. However, many residents and patients expressed frustration at last Tuesday’s community meeting as to why it had taken so long for HTC to respond.…

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Letter: SB2785 Passes the Senate

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

By Cheryl Corbiell

Mahalo to all those who testified in opposition to Senate Bill 2785, a bill which, according to legislators, provides a framework for Big Wind. Legislatures commented about all your calls, letters, visits and emails – we got their attention.

The bill passed at the very last minute, with acknowledgements of our concerns. The senate floor discussion on SB2785 centered on opposition from Lanai and Molokai. Senators Hee, Chun Oakland and Slom voted “no”, and we congratulate and thank them for having courage to say NO. Ten senators voted “with reservations,” which means that a majority of the Senate had problems with this bill.…

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SB2785 Passes the Senate

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Community Contributed

Mahalo to all those who testified in opposition to Senate Bill 2785, a bill which, according to legislators, provides a framework for Big Wind. Legislatures commented about all your calls, letters, visits and emails – we got their attention.

The bill passed at the very last minute, with acknowledgements of our concerns. The senate floor discussion on SB2785 centered on opposition from Lanai and Molokai. Senators Hee, Chun Oakland and Slom voted “no”, and we congratulate and thank them for having courage to say NO. Ten senators voted “with reservations,” which means that a majority of the Senate had problems with this bill.…

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Lanai Solar Farm Generating 1.5 MW

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Lanai Solar Farm Generating 1.5 MW

Castle & Cooke News Release

La Ola, the largest solar farm in the state, is now producing at its full capacity of 1.5 megawatts (MW) DC (or 1.2 MW AC) of clean solar energy on Lanai. The renewable energy generated by La Ola will help to stabilize electric rates on Lanai and reduce Lanai’s importation and burning of foreign oil.

La Ola is the world’s first utility-grade photovoltaic (PV) project to incorporate battery storage. The 1.5 MW solar farm located on the Island of Lanai, is capable of supplying up to 30 percent of day-time peak electrical demand on Lanai, and 10 percent of the island’s total power needs.…

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Undersea Cable Impacts and Costs Too Severe, Says National Grid

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

I Aloha Molokai News Release

A high-voltage undersea transmission cable planned for Massachusetts has been killed by one of the nation’s major utilities because it would be a “high-risk” installation, too expensive to construct, with too many severe environmental impacts and too difficult to maintain.

The National Grid, which serves much of New England and New York State, released the findings of its Cable Feasibility Study this week. The cable would have been built using the latest technology called horizontal direct drilling – the same technology planned for sections of the interisland cable proposed by Governor Neil Abercrombie and HECO, and now being considered by the Hawaii Legislature.…

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Food Production Database for Molokai

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Food Production Database for Molokai

Sust`aina ble Molokai News Release

Sust`aina ble Molokai is working to integrate our island’s legacy of `aina momona (abundance) with modern self-reliant precepts to build a sustainable Molokai rooted in traditional knowledge and supported by emerging green practices and industries. We are creating Molokai-pedia, an open source multi-layered database project, which will focus on creating a needs assessment picture of Molokai’s resources.

Molokai-pedia will draw what is available on Molokai in the areas of environment and natural resources, land use and subsistence, waste management, community health and safety, culture, green economy and local businesses, eco-education, water, renewable energy, transportation, green building and affordable housing, and food production and security.…

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Learn to Install and Design Photovoltaic Systems

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Sustainable Living Institute of Maui News Release 

In a training program on Molokai, residents can learn to design and install photovoltaic energy systems. The Entry Level Photovoltaic (PV) Training Program is a comprehensive training program that prepares students to take the entry level NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) exam. Held from Feb. 21-24 and Feb. 29 through March 3, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., it will train participants in the principles of small business, residential and commercial PV installation and design. 

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