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| Ka`u residents can help prevent fires and injuries during popular New Year's Eve neighborhood celebrations. Photo from wikipedia |
Holiday trees can be left in the designated areas at any of the county Solid Waste Division facilities, including Volcano, Pahala and Wai`ohinu, during normal business hours. Miloli`i and Ocean View are not accepting trees.
Trees should be free from all decorations, stands, lights, tinsel and ornaments. Artificial and flocked trees are not accepted. Any flocked trees, artificial trees or trees with tinsel are not recyclable and may be disposed of in the regular trash chutes.
Solid Waste Facility attendants will direct the public to the proper drop-off point. For more information or a map and directions to drop-off locations, go to http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/facilities/
Also recyclable are Kadomatsu decorations, which are normally a combination of bamboo, pine and flowers. Kadomatsu is a tradition that began 600 years ago in Japan as a way of offering luck in the New Year.
HAWAI`I ENERGY IS RE-LAUNCHING its solar water heating tune-up rebate of $150. According to reports from the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program, it provided 826 tune-up rebates to residents totaling $123,900 during last year’s four-month, limited-time offer.![]()
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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP prevent fires and also avoid unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It is illegal for anyone to remove powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework and throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle.
It is also illegal to set off any fireworks:
Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
Be sure fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of.
Have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure water hoses can reach all areas where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. It’s also a great idea to wet down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off fireworks.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers New Year’s events. New Year’s Eve party begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. at KMC’s Lava Lounge, with Mile 25 providing dance music. No cover charge, plus a midnight toast. For more information, call 967-8365.
THE CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY EXHIBIT of holiday wreaths and unique ornaments continues through Sunday, Jan. 4 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Park entrance fees apply.
KDEN’S PRODUCTIONS OF AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS continue at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park through Sunday, Jan. 4. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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Solid Waste Facility attendants will direct the public to the proper drop-off point. For more information or a map and directions to drop-off locations, go to http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/facilities/
Also recyclable are Kadomatsu decorations, which are normally a combination of bamboo, pine and flowers. Kadomatsu is a tradition that began 600 years ago in Japan as a way of offering luck in the New Year.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I ENERGY IS RE-LAUNCHING its solar water heating tune-up rebate of $150. According to reports from the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program, it provided 826 tune-up rebates to residents totaling $123,900 during last year’s four-month, limited-time offer.
The tune-up rebates are available from Jan. 5 through May 31 or while funding lasts.
To qualify for the rebate, systems must be at least three years old, and the tune-up must be performed by a participating Hawai`i Energy contractor.
Maintenance every three to five years to check for normal wear and tear and make repairs can help solar water heaters last 15 years or more.
To qualify for the rebate, systems must be at least three years old, and the tune-up must be performed by a participating Hawai`i Energy contractor.
Maintenance every three to five years to check for normal wear and tear and make repairs can help solar water heaters last 15 years or more.
Hawai`i Energy said it also offers $1,000 instant rebates when purchasing solar water heating systems.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
NEXTERA ENERGY’S PURCHASE of Hawaiian Electric Industries will be very good for Hawai`i, according to Richard Ha, a promoter of geothermal energy who owns Hamakua Springs Country Farms.
“Here’s what we know about NextEra: It’s a publicly traded company headquartered in Florida. Its principal subsidiaries include Florida Power & Light Company, which was recognized by Market Strategies International earlier this year as the nation’s most trusted electric utility, and NextEra Energy Resources, which together with its affiliated entities (NextEra Energy Resources), is North America’s largest producer of renewable energy from the wind and sun …” writes Ha on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com.
“NextEra has the balance sheet and other resources to support significant investment in Hawai`i’s transmission and distribution system to enable much higher levels of renewable energy sources.
“Most of all, this change in ownership of our electrical utility will finally make much needed new and different approaches possible. What we all want is a lower cost of electricity.
“And each island needs to take advantage of its own resources. One size does not fit all. For example, the Big Island and Maui each have the options of using wind, solar and possibly geothermal and some biofuel … .
“We are unique on the Big Island. Beside solar, wind and biofuels, we have proven geothermal. Once it’s developed, geothermal wants to run 100 percent of the time, and the more it runs, the cheaper it is to the ratepayers.
“What if we guaranteed the geothermal developer, say, 25 megawatts, and put no restriction on generating electricity for hydrogen manufacturing over and above the 25MW. If, for instance, the geothermal company installed a 30MW generator, they could sell 25MW to the utility and sell the excess 5MW cheap to make hydrogen. That would solve our liquid transportation problem, via hydrogen fuel cells, and we could make nitrogen fertilizer so as not to be dependent on petroleum byproducts. That’s only one example of what we could do with new thinking… .
“This sales is an unexpected but very interesting turn of events. We welcome NextEra.”
“NextEra has the balance sheet and other resources to support significant investment in Hawai`i’s transmission and distribution system to enable much higher levels of renewable energy sources.
“Most of all, this change in ownership of our electrical utility will finally make much needed new and different approaches possible. What we all want is a lower cost of electricity.
“And each island needs to take advantage of its own resources. One size does not fit all. For example, the Big Island and Maui each have the options of using wind, solar and possibly geothermal and some biofuel … .
“We are unique on the Big Island. Beside solar, wind and biofuels, we have proven geothermal. Once it’s developed, geothermal wants to run 100 percent of the time, and the more it runs, the cheaper it is to the ratepayers.
“What if we guaranteed the geothermal developer, say, 25 megawatts, and put no restriction on generating electricity for hydrogen manufacturing over and above the 25MW. If, for instance, the geothermal company installed a 30MW generator, they could sell 25MW to the utility and sell the excess 5MW cheap to make hydrogen. That would solve our liquid transportation problem, via hydrogen fuel cells, and we could make nitrogen fertilizer so as not to be dependent on petroleum byproducts. That’s only one example of what we could do with new thinking… .
“This sales is an unexpected but very interesting turn of events. We welcome NextEra.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| The slow advance of lava toward Pahoa continues. Photo from Hawai`i County |
HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE reported this morning that the leading tip of the active flow advanced 20 yards since yesterday afternoon. The flow front is now 0.4 miles or 680 yards from Pahoa Marketplace and remains 0.6 miles or 1050 yards from the intersection of Hwy 130 and Pahoa Village Road. The flow remains active behind the front in several areas.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP prevent fires and also avoid unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It is illegal for anyone to remove powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework and throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle.
It is also illegal to set off any fireworks:
- At any time not within the specified time periods; Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter or church when services are held;
- On any school property without authorization from the said school official;
- On any public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park.
- Offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult;
- Set off any aerial luminary devices, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawai`i Lanterns, or any other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells.
Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
Be sure fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of.
Have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure water hoses can reach all areas where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. It’s also a great idea to wet down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off fireworks.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Kilauea Military Camp's holidays are busy, with the Holiday Challenge cabin decorating competition, New Year's Eve party and New Year's Day brunch. Photo from KMC |
THE HOLIDAY CHALLENGE at Kilauea Military Camp in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues through New Year’s Eve. The public can judge cottages decorated in holiday lights by KMC employees and vote for their favorites. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for more information.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers New Year’s events. New Year’s Eve party begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. at KMC’s Lava Lounge, with Mile 25 providing dance music. No cover charge, plus a midnight toast. For more information, call 967-8365.
Crater Rim Café features New Year’s Day Brunch Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fee for adults is $16.95 and $9.50 for children 6-11 years old. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
THE CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY EXHIBIT of holiday wreaths and unique ornaments continues through Sunday, Jan. 4 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Park entrance fees apply.
KDEN’S PRODUCTIONS OF AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS continue at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park through Sunday, Jan. 4. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
