It’s a business
It’s a business
Referring to NextEra Energy merger, buyout, or whatever they call it: I would like to see the “world’s largest” (as they call themselves) track record. How many homes and where? How much have they reduced those homeowners costs for electricity in actual dollars? How much did those homeowners have to pay for installation of NextEra’s products?
And just what is NextEra Energy’s profit margin? How much oil or other fuel have the utility companies that NextEra serves saved?
These are questions that our legislators should be asking and then provide all of us with the answers. In other words, before proceeding, we need to, “Ask our doctor if this is right for us?”
And, just as importantly, how is this going to impact our local suppliers of solar systems and customers who do not have solar?
Be reminded, they are not in the business to lose money!
Ron Baptista
Mountain View
Move forward
Protest to protest! GMO, geothermal, Superferry and now the Thirty Meter Telescope project. It appears that the residents of Hawaii do not like progression into the modern world.
It appears that the residents of Hawaii do not want to present new opportunities to the next generation and certainly do not want them to be independent thinkers.
Holding on to the past eliminates the fear of the unknown, but also prevents exploration of perhaps better lives for all. All of our residents need to have hope — the hope to change the past and the hope to see more choices available in the future.
Let’s stop protesting. Let us all search for the good and move our state forward.
Patricia Eddy
Pahoa
A call for civility
I write this letter not to take a stand on either side of the TMT issue, but rather to ask both sides to take deep breath and maintain their focus and civility.
In the recent weeks, the anti-TMT movement has gained a lot of momentum locally, as well as abroad. There has been support shown for the cause from other islands, the mainland and other countries.
One of the risks a movement like this runs, when it grows too big, too fast, is that it attracts people who don’t truly understand the root of the issue, the parties involved or the community in which the issue is taking place. Many people who join the movement are what I would consider to be “professional protesters” — that is, people who like to join causes around the world to show support to the underdogs.
An example of this is the targeting of the telescope community in Hilo. I don’t work for a telescope, but have many friends who do. I know they are people who love Hilo as much as any one else. Their kids go to our schools, they shop in our stores, dine in our restaurants, paddle for the same canoe clubs — in other words, they are members of the Hilo community.
I was saddened to learn that the telescope people pulled out of the Merrie Monarch parade because they did not feel safe to participate in it because of threats that were made toward them.
Once a protest movement begins to issue threats or gets violent, it will lose the support and respect of many members in the community.
Remember one thing: Once this is all over, whether the TMT is built or not, those of us who live in Hilo will still be in Hilo. Please don’t let people from outside who don’t understand the Hilo way to tarnish this.
Rodrigo Romo
Hilo