About those rates
About those rates
Here’s something to consider: This month, the residential rate charged to HELCO customers is the lowest (yes, lowest) since January 2011.
In January 2011, the rate structure was changed to reflect usage based on various levels. Before that date, no meaningful comparison could be considered. I can’t predict what the rates will be in the future — not next month, the month after that or next year. If anyone can, please contact me, I’d like to know what lottery numbers to play!
So, last month’s rate was the lowest, but how does that compare with the other electric utilities in the state?
Based on 300 kilowatt-hours, HECO and Maui would be lower than us. But Lanai and Molokai are higher, and Kauai the highest of all.
I guess there are those folks who don’t care what the rates are: They want Hawaii Island to become an electric utility cooperative.
Electricity is my field of expertise. I only report on what the current and former rates are, and never say what the rates will be. And if anyone challenges my facts, please call and let me know. My residential telephone number is 929-8422. I’d be able to tell you what your bill is just by knowing what the billing dates are, and how much you used.
Michael L. Last
Naalehu
Marine debris
I would like to thank all the volunteers, from keiki to kupuna, who participated in this year’s “Get The Drift &Bag It!” — Hawaii’s contribution to the International Coastal Cleanup. This year’s event was Saturday, Sept. 19, with a few groups doing their cleanups other days in September and October. Community, business and school groups plus a few individuals participated in the largest single-day volunteer event in the world to protect our ocean and waterways.
This year, 494 volunteers (362 adults, 132 keiki) cleaned up almost 25 miles of shoreline, waterways and underwater at 23 sites around Hawaii Island. They picked up about 3,645 pounds of marine debris.
Cigarette butts were No. 1 again — almost 30 percent of all items recorded. Fishing net and pieces, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers and metal bottle caps round out the top five. This year, a disturbing amount of tampons and diapers were found.
Marine debris is everyone’s problem and we are the cause, but we also are the only solution. Beach and waterway cleanups collect items that are marine debris or will become marine debris. This is only a short-term solution. We need to be proactive and take steps to change our behavior before we will see a change in the amount of marine debris on our shores and in the ocean.
The real goal is to have fewer and fewer cleanups! Practice the four R’s: refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle.
Again, mahalo for your commitment to “malama ‘aina” by volunteering to help make a difference. Your efforts greatly are appreciated. Our planet, our ocean and our island are cleaner and healthier because of you.
For more info on marine debris, go to www.oceanconservancy.org and marinedebris.noaa.gov.
Terry Miura
“Get the Drift &Bag It!” coordinator,
County of Hawaii, Department of Parks and Recreation