Not all rate raises the same
Young Bros. recently asked for an increase of 34% in their inter-island shipping rates.
How does this compare with HELCO’s rate increases? After all, HELCO always asks for increases, year after year.
I took the time to examine the rates for my electric provider and I find that, no, HELCO doesn’t always raise their rates. As a matter of fact, their rates have decreased from last December. A residential customer (rate R) will see a rate decrease of between 12.3% and 13.8% depending on how much energy they require when comparing last December to this October.
Not only did I examine the residential rate, but also all the other rates that apply to commercial customers (G, J and P rates) as well. And they all went down from December.
So much for the constant cry I hear all the time, “HELCO is raising their rates once again!”
Not true when someone takes the time to investigate.
When our electric rates fluctuates it affects only what we consume at our home. You can always cut the cord to the electric utility and become self-generating. But when Young Bros. increases their rates, it amounts to increases for everything we import to our island. But just try doing without the products we use every day.
I am not on HELCO’s or any other utility’s payroll, just a self-employed engineer who believes that our electric utility does a pretty good job of delivering a product to my home at a reasonable cost. Unlike a gasoline station where you have to go and pump the gas yourself.
Michael Last
Naalehu
Aloha Theatre deserves another shoutout
Once again, the Aloha Theatre has graced our community with a professional-quality production worthy of the Broadway stage. The opening night performance of Beyond Therapy, by Christopher Durang, was memorable for its comedic, yet thought-provoking material that was masterfully directed by Jerry Tracy and presented by a strong, six-member cast of superb performers.
The cast, Sara Hagen, Robb Dahlke, Quinton Loder, Robin O’Hara, Xavier Chung, and Gerald Lucena, all performed flawlessly, and Tracy, who has announced his retirement at the end of this season after serving more than 30 years as artistic director, is leaving us with a most valuable asset — an organization that enriches our lives by providing quality live theatre, performing arts education, and a venue for artistic expression.
My wife and I were thoroughly entertained, and we recommend the show, which closes on Sunday, Oct. 13, for all except children under age 14 because of mature language.
Joel Gimpel
Kailua-Kona