Hilo
Prepare for rate hike
Recently, officials from Hawaii Electric Light Co. have been on television station KHON2, touting several ways to save energy. Some of the energy savings mentioned were: Purchase a new energy-saving refrigerator (savings of $1,000 per year); turn off your air conditioner (savings of $1,000 per year); use only cold water to wash clothes (savings of $800 per year). I would add taking cold showers (savings of $1,000 per year). Total savings per year: $3,800.
Now, if you do all these things and you currently use $3,600 per year, I would think that HELCO will send you a check for $200.
I think that HELCO is softening us up for another increase in our electricity. There is no way that you can save the amount of money that HELCO is talking about.
Ice boxes and candle light may come back into vogue. We all know for certain that our electricity bills have gone way up since HELCO decided to “go green,” and they will continue to go up.
I wonder if HELCO turns off its cooling systems in the heat of the day?
Vernon King
Volcano
Hit by reckless driver
Dear anonymous driver outside Pahoa on Monday, Jan. 16: Three of us on bicycles were enjoying a beautiful Hawaii day.
You came from behind on the two-lane road, probably a little faster than the 55-mph limit, and we hugged the side of the lane as best we could.
There was no shoulder, nowhere we could go to get farther out of your way. And, even though there was no traffic in either direction except for you, you did not make room for us.
In your white van with no side or back windows, you sideswiped us at that speed, and you did not stop when you saw me fall. I thought you should know that I sustained a fractured shoulder.
Maybe next time you will move over and make a bit of room for people who are visiting your lovely island home. Maybe you will remember that anyone you meet on the road could be your sister. Even if not, why would you risk hurting someone?
Ariel Stone
Portland, Oregon
Instinct vs. morality
Manmade laws would never trump human instincts entirely.
However and nonetheless, moral principles should always supersede our actions upon instincts and desires.
T. Ono
Hilo