Hawaii hasn’t had a Medicare and Medicaid Services-certified organ transplant facility since Hawaii Medical Centers closed its two Oahu hospitals in December, which motivated lawmakers to move quickly. Authorities invade Honolulu camp ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — City workers have cleared
Authorities invade Honolulu camp
HONOLULU (AP) — City workers have cleared a sofa, a bicycle and other personal items from the Occupy Honolulu camp at Thomas Square.
Police and city workers moved in around 2 a.m. Saturday.
No one was arrested or ticketed. But despite protesters’ complaints, the personal items were loaded onto two flatbed trucks and taken away.
“It feels like we were robbed,” said Matthew Guss, a University of Hawaii senior who joined the protest in November.
The park also was sprayed with disinfectant and the sidewalk pressure-washed.
Honolulu police Sgt. Lawrence Santos said the cleaning was needed to ensure public safety and reduce the risk of slip-and-fall injuries.
The entire park, not just the Occupy encampment, was inspected and cleaned.
Plan would boost renewable energy
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaiian Electric Co. is starting a program that will help it add more solar, wind and other renewable energy to the grid while also save business customers some money.
The utility said Thursday it will award credits to commercial and industrial customers who allow some of their air conditions, pool heaters and other non-essential equipment to be turned off during periods of high power demand or low supplies of renewable energy.
A business willing to turn off equipment normally requiring 50 kilowatts of power could receive a credit of $3,000 per year.
They would receive more money if power for their equipment is actually turned off.
The program will help Hawaiian Electric reliably deliver electricity to customers while at the same time reduce its use of fossil fuels.
Officials endorse transplant center
HONOLULU (AP) — State lawmakers approved a $1.5 million emergency appropriation for a kidney and liver transplant facility in Hawaii.
The Senate and House approved the funding bill Friday, voting unanimously to match funds with the Queen’s Medical Center for a $3 million organ transplant facility, as well as give $300,000 to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.
Hawaii hasn’t had a Medicare and Medicaid Services-certified organ transplant facility since Hawaii Medical Centers closed its two Oahu hospitals in December, which motivated lawmakers to move quickly.
