Was that so hard?
The Big Island can set an example for the rest of the world by our adoption of large solar arrays such as the two that were subject to recent public discussions in Keaau and Waikoloa.
These two projects can provide power to a total of 26,000 households. We only have about 53,000 households in this county, so another two or three large arrays will be able to provide ALL of our power needs, day and night, given their battery storage technology.
True, it will be prudent to have backup power available by the current oil-burning power plants, just in case there is a prolonged period of low sunlight, but we are showing the world how one of the most oil-dependent places can outgrow that addiction quickly and affordably.
We have many problems, and we don’t always embrace all things scientific and modern, but we are certainly getting this one right!
Carl Oguss
Hilo
Protesters’ loyalty
How loyal to the cause are protesters? If there are 100 people protesting, but only a dozen or so get arrested, because of blocking of a road, for example, why don’t the rest of the protesters allow themselves to also be arrested along with their fellow protesters?
Cold feet? Can’t make the time for court appearances? Have to be at work by a certain time? Don’t want an arrest record for life?
Whether the protests are about telescopes, a sports complex park, windmills or any other forms of protests that have been taking place all around the world for ages where arrests are involved, once again I ask: How loyal to the cause are protesters?
Maybe those who get arrested have much more passion for what they believe in than the others who just stand around and jeer at law enforcement but cheer their fellow protesters being hauled away.
Rick LaMontagne
Hilo
Ige’s failure
I read that Gov. David Ige is the fourth most unpopular governor in the United States, according to a national survey. Only 36% of voters approve of his performance. That’s a grade of “F.”
That’s the grade you get when you allow the Thirty Meter Telescope protesters to seize Maunakea for three months straight!
Duh.
A. Yamamoto
Hilo