Wake up, PUC
From a priority perspective, the PUC’s mission entails providing effective oversight of regulated entities and addressing the future needs of the state’s utility system in an economically, operationally, and environmentally effective manner. In the case of Honua Ola Bioenergy, a Sept. 15 letter to the editor claims the PUC did its job. Really?
If the PUC’s mission is to decide which projects that are in the best interest of Hawaii’s energy future, the commission failed by rejecting Hu Honua (also known as Honua Ola), a 99% constructed project with a staff who trained years to operate it. The facility could enable Hawaii to achieve its 2045 100% renewable energy goal and reduce dependence on fossil fuels using advanced, state-of-the-art technology.
Honua Ola was originally approved by the PUC to replace fossil fuel plants like Keahole, which costs up to $0.30 cents/kWH, compared to Honua Ola’s a price of $0.22/kWH.
Yes, Mr. Holmes, solar appears cheaper, but you get what you pay for. And firm renewable power from biomass is available 24/7, rain or shine, night or day, unlike intermittent power (i.e., wind and solar, which cannot provide continuous power, even with battery storage). Solar is an important part of Hawaii’s portfolio of renewable energy technologies, but a stable grid also requires firm power sources to avoid grid instability, which can result in blackouts.
A scientific opinion study conducted in May 2020 found 88% of Hawaii Island residents support the completion of the Honua Ola project. With the PUC’s recent rejection to reconsider Honua Ola, the PUC failed once again to put their mission first and do what’s best for the public and the environment, ignoring the state’s economic and renewable energy goals and deepening distrust and wariness of state regulators.
Wake up PUC, Hawaii’s economic recovery and environmental outlook are your kuleana.
Keola Gorospe
Hilo
STVR CPR
Tourism in Hawaii accounts for almost a fifth of the state’s total GDP and supports more than 200,000 jobs. But travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have driven our vibrant tourism industry to near collapse. I urge county leaders to be open to agreements with vacation rental owners as a first step in resuscitating our travel-dependent economy.
Vacation rentals are a pillar of our local economy. Unlike traditional accommodations that focus on keeping guests on-site, vacation rental homes steer tourism money into our communities by encouraging families to spend at local shops and restaurants. Additionally, vacation rental homeowners, like myself, contribute tax dollars directly to the community. Just in the last year, I personally paid the county $6,000 in property taxes and contributed to the state’s GET coffer. In return, the county and state shut all vacation rentals, which did nothing but expand the COVID-19 economic suffering unnecessarily.
Vacation rental owners are doing our part to facilitate a robust economic recovery for our communities. We’ve implemented new booking and sanitation protocols, helping ensure travelers have the confidence they need to return to Hawaii and enjoy a safe visit.
I hope current Mayor Harry Kim, Hawaii Island’s incoming new mayor and other county leaders will recognize the vital role vacation rentals occupy and work with property owners on a memorandum of understanding to help restore our severely damaged local economy.
Martin Dattola
Waikoloa Village
Together, we are Big Island strong
This is a big shout out and mahalo to all of the firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, store clerks, truck drivers, farmers, warehouse workers, state and county employees, Civil Defense, food bank volunteers and all nonprofits feeding our community. And essentially everyone in our community who gets up every day to go to work for the good of our island.
We are grateful for what you do. Together, we are Big Island strong.
John Swift
Captain Cook
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at www.westhawaiitoday.com/?p=118321, via email to letters@westhawaiitoday.com or address them to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745