Another ‘no’ to Hu Honua
Another ‘no’ to Hu Honua
Responding to Koohan Paik’s letter, “No to Hu Honua” (Your Views, Tribune-Herald, July 16):
The state of Hawaii has been at the forefront against President Donald Trump’s travel ban, making most in our state very proud.
But now, with the possible reopening of the Hu Honua power plant, supported by (state Sen. Lorraine) Inouye and (county Councilwoman Valerie) Poindexter, Hawaii will play into Trump’s plans to dismantle the EPA, roll back federal regulated auto emissions and, of course, burn coal for power.
Hu Honua will deforest thousands of acres of trees, hauling them hundreds of miles through our streets (yes, Hilo town, 12 hours a day), while burning thousands of gallons of possibly the direst fuel on Earth, diesel, then like cavemen, burn trees for lighting our homes.
Mind you, HELCO states that at best, 14 percent of the island’s power the antiquated plant can produce is “unneeded”! What is going on here?
Oh, did I mention our electrical rates will rise, so federal taxes (our taxes) will pay off the investor’s $150 million investment? Sad, but true, sign of the times.
Jobs? Folks, Hawaii has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Do you honestly think Hu Honua would not bring in trained power plant operators to run this 24/7 multimillion-dollar beast? Today, there are plant managers and PR people from the mainland.
Our quality of life is being sold down the drain by a monopolistic power company, investors only interested in their own bank accounts by receiving federal tax breaks and politicians.
Contact the PUC at puc@hawaii.gov. Time is running out.
R. Smith
Pepeekeo