Hawai’i Today
Explore with us the current events, both global and local, that impact life in Hawai’i Today. “In depth” analysis of the challenges and potential solutions are addressed, with a focus on activating community solutions that will nurture and sustain a lifestyle unique to all who live in Hawai’i.
A New Decade Ahead, Filled with Challenges for Hawaii and the World
Hawaii County leading the way on climate change The state of Hawaii made some proud waves in 2015 by becoming the first in the nation to pass a law (HB 623) requiring 100 percent renewable electricity. This highly ambitious goal must be reached by 2045, providing almost thirty years for our transition away from fossil […]
Climate Reality Check for Hawaii Island’s County Council
“Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal…”. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chip Fletcher, UH (Manoa) professor of earth sciences visited the Big island this week to meet with the County Council — the meeting came be summed up as a real and live wake up call on the global and local […]
HECO in the Spotlight – Part 2
Struck between Shareholder Priorities, Customer Priorities, and States Mandates – HECO is adrift… Investor-owned utilities (IOUs), as is the case with HECO, are the old-school, for-profit, regulated-monopoly utilities, with a captive customer base and profits guaranteed by law. Yet, Hawaii’s 2045 clean energy (RPS) mandate requires HECO to institute operating reforms that must, first and foremost, […]
HECO in the Spotlight – Part 1
Hawaii Electric is the state’s 10th largest employer, employing over 2,700. Operating as the states’ only power monopoly Hawaiian Electric companies (HECO) include Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light. The company is use to getting its way. Under HECO’s power stewardship, Hawaii has the highest residential electricity prices in the United States, averaging more than […]