Support Hu Honua
Support Hu Honua
As the state representative for the 1st House District (Hamakua-Hilo), I want to call attention to the economic benefits of the Hu Honua bioenergy plant as a homegrown power source.
Since taking office, I have supported the need for energy sustainability and self-sufficiency, rather than sending millions of dollars to purchase foreign oil to power generators that provide us with our electricity. The instability of the world oil market makes living in Hawaii vulnerable to its dramatic price fluctuations.
A bioenergy plant will stimulate our local forest industry and enhance the local economy with sustained employment, increased tax revenue and dollars recirculating in the local economy instead of being sent out of state. Adding about 200 jobs, 30 directly at the plant, and an additional 180 or so in related industries, is meaningful for our island. The ILWU and the Carpenters Union have demonstrated support for Hu Honua.
In its lifespan, Hu Honua will help stabilize Hawaii Island’s electricity costs by providing power to the existing utility at a price not dependent on the wild ups and downs of the world oil market.
On May 27, the price of crude oil reached the $50 mark, almost double the February price of about $27 a barrel. It’s been only two years since we were paying more than $100 for a barrel for a sustained period, and analysts predict a return to higher prices.
In terms or our renewable energy goals, Hu Honua’s 30 megawatt (net) biomass electrical plant at Pepeekeo would complement other renewable energy sources because the plant will operate 24/7 and can provide power to even out any fluctuations of wind and solar.
I hope Hu Honua and the power utility are able to come to mutually agreeable terms that would allow the plant, which is about 50 percent built, to be completed in 2017 so our community can move forward with sustainability — in energy and employment.
Mark Nakashima
State representative, District 1
Too much fencing
As we watch the monstrous building going up for the new Pahoa park, the same line keeps running through my mind — Parks and Recreation needs to stop fencing off access to our recreation possibilities.
Are the parks, community centers and senior centers fenced and locked in Hilo and Kona? Waimea? No.
What is the purpose of spending all our money for us and then not allowing access? It looks and feels like a prison, it’s not attractive to tourists and residents don’t like it, either.
Personally, I envision a community and senior center that is open and active day and night. If you are a lonely senior you should be able to go play bingo at 10 p.m. Our community center could be stocked with supplies and peopled with lovers of art, music, sewing and cooking if you didn’t spend millions on fencing us out.
Give people something constructive to do and they won’t be so miserable they need to smoke “ice.”
Sara Steiner
Pahoa