Political grandstanding
Political grandstanding
I commend the Hawaii County Council for its rebuke of Margaret Wille’s resolution to reprimand the mayor because of his pCard use.
This resolution was nothing more than an attempt at political grandstanding by Ms. Wille in an effort to distract from the fact she’s not getting much else done.
It really smacks of hypocrisy that Ms. Wille, the only member of the council to lose her pCard (she “gave it up” just before it was taken for being used in violation of clerk’s office policy) would choose to lead this charge against the mayor. I’m sure Ms. Wille felt first-class flight upgrades and hotel rooms with a better view were good use of taxpayer dollars, but I disagree.
There are many problems facing Council District 9. Be it road safety issues on Waikoloa road, the lack of affordable housing for the hard workers who travel to the district for work each day or recreational opportunities for the keiki (hey, when exactly is that Kohala skate park Ms. Wille said she funded going to get built?)
My point is there is much work to be done, and Ms. Wille should be focusing on that work instead of wasting time on political grandstanding and money on legislation she doesn’t even believe in enough to bring to a vote, instead withdrawing after countless hours and dollars are wasted.
Steven Offenbaker
Honokaa
Speak out for energy co-op
The PUC will host “public listening sessions” to hear public opinion about the proposed NextEra/HEI merger before it starts formal hearings. Please attend and speak out for the Hawaii Island Energy Cooperative.
In our lifetime, this is probably our only chance to make such a big change to our public utility and impact future generations so positively.
Public listening sessions are today (Sept. 29) at Hilo High School and Wednesday (Sept. 30) at Kealakehe High School. Both begin at 6 p.m. in each school’s cafeteria.
Background: After the proposed NextEra/HEI merger was announced, some grassroots people put together a co-op model for the Big Island, like what Kauai has had for 12 years. We are not against either NextEra or HEI/HECO, but offer an alternative business model.
A co-op has an elected board of directors made up of local people with staggered terms, so it stays sensitive to community concerns. The co-op is motivated to keep costs low, instead of making profits for shareholders. It considers multiple energy issues — transportation and food, as well as electricity, which is why it’s called the Hawaii Island Energy Co-op.
The issue is what business model is best for an uncertain future. We are concerned about costs, losing our identity and being competitive in a changing world of finite resources.
Because high costs force us to consider energy options not on the mainland’s radar, we actually have the potential to lead the nation. Two-thirds of our economy is made up of consumer spending. Think how a money-saving energy co-op could improve the Big Island’s standard of living, and, more importantly, our grandchildren’s.
It also would teach our future generations to adapt to change, and give them a world view that, “Not no can; CAN!”
Please attend today or Wednesday and tell the PUC you support the HIEC.
Richard Ha
President, Hawaii Island Energy Cooperative