Get Acquainted With The Fantastic Four - Kauai Island Utility ...
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August 2010<br />
<strong>Get</strong> <strong>Acquainted</strong> <strong>With</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Fantastic</strong> <strong>Four</strong><br />
KIUC’s 2010 Youth Tour Winners
Aloha <strong>Island</strong> Properties<br />
EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS<br />
(808) 246-0334<br />
Halelani Village #X-102<br />
Corner ground floor condominium with fenced<br />
yard. Nicely renovated 2 bed, 1.5 bath with low<br />
maintenance laminate flooring. $154,900(fs).<br />
Short sale. Charlotte Barefoot(R) 651-4627 or<br />
Karen Agudong(R) 652-0677.<br />
975 Kamalu Road, Wailua<br />
Breathtaking Custom home located on nearly 3<br />
acres of level land surrounded by Views of Mt<br />
Waialeale, Makaleha and Sleeping Giant. High<br />
End Custom Features. Separate attached guest<br />
quarters and a Salt water swimming pool.<br />
$1,798,000(fs). Call: Karen Agudong(R) 652-0677<br />
or 246-0334.<br />
Wiliko Street,<br />
Pikake Subdivision<br />
Custom Home just began construction. Single<br />
Story with an Open Floor plan and Custom<br />
features. House Plans and 1/4 inch scale model<br />
available for preview by appt. $945,000(fs). Call:<br />
Kay Leonard(RA) 634-8697.<br />
2347 Niumalu Road, Lihue<br />
Stunning 4,000 sf Home, consisting of TWO<br />
LEGAL DWELLINGS on over one quarter acre of<br />
land. High end features. Designed with “Smart<br />
House Lighting System”. $1,495,000(fs).<br />
2210 Makaa Street, Lihue<br />
Gorgeous 3 bed, 3 bath home in Pikake<br />
Subdivision located on Tee #7 of Puakea Golf<br />
Course. Quality materials throughout: Teak,<br />
Corian, Granite, Travertine, Ipe and Bamboo!<br />
$879,000(fs).<br />
Call: Charlotte Barefoot(R) 651-4627<br />
Beautiful Pikake Lots<br />
in Lihue<br />
#1727 - Golf Course, Lake & Mountain Views.<br />
Large 14,335 sf. Guest house possible.<br />
$349,000(fs)<br />
#1739 - Golf Course, Lake & Mountain Views.<br />
11,513 sf. $289,000(fs)<br />
#1669 - Corner, Flag Lot. Elevated slightly<br />
enhancing views. $349,000(fs).<br />
Call: 246-0334<br />
5727 Wailaau Road, Koloa<br />
Great investment in Koloa!! ONLY $399,000(fs).<br />
Charming 3 bedroom, 1 bath home with Fenced<br />
yard and fruit trees. Hardwood Floors in<br />
bedrooms. Call: Karen Agudong(R) 652-0677 or<br />
Judy Piano(RA) 651-9230.<br />
4195 Omao Road, Omao<br />
Completely remodeled and upgraded 4 bed, 3 bath<br />
home. Gourmet Kitchen, Bamboo Flooring, Mature<br />
Landscaping and Lava Rock Wall. $749,900(fs).<br />
Call: Charlotte Barefoot(R) 651-4627.<br />
4164 Awela Place, Lihue<br />
Over 3200 s.f. in Puako! Beautiful Custom Home<br />
with Large Bedrooms and Great Curb Appeal!<br />
Tranquil Indoor Garden. Must see. $898,000(fs).<br />
Call: Aloha <strong>Island</strong> Properties 246-0334 or Karen<br />
Agudong(R) 652-0677.<br />
Aloha <strong>Island</strong> Properties 3-3359 Kuhio Highway, Lihue, HI 96766<br />
808-246-0334 fax: 808-246-0771 www.alohaisland.com email: karen@alohaisland.com
August 2010<br />
Volume 7, Number 4<br />
Table of Contents<br />
KIUC Solar Water Heater Loan Program . . . . . . . . . . 4<br />
KIUC Solar Water Heating Rebate Process . . . . . . . . 6<br />
A Picture’s Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />
Participating Solar Contractor List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8<br />
KIUC Dishwasher Rebates Begin August 1. . . . . . . . . . . 9<br />
Providing Power to the People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10<br />
KIUC Signs Agreement for Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . 15<br />
KIUC Recycles Used Oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15<br />
A Message From the Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16<br />
KIUC’s 2010 Membership Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16<br />
Board Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17<br />
Coop Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18<br />
Ready! Set! Count Off! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20<br />
Raising Streetwise Kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24<br />
KIUC’s Summer Science Pilot Program ZAPS<br />
Sizzled Again This Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26<br />
2011 Calendar of Student Art Contest . . . . . . . . . . 35<br />
Safe Routes to School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36<br />
Cold Foods for Hot Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38<br />
Renewable Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />
In My Backyard (IMBY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41<br />
A Continuing Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45<br />
KIUC Charitable Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48<br />
Tariff Rule #9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49<br />
Rule #10 Rates and Optional Rates. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50<br />
Statement of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />
Simple Pleasures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55<br />
Parting Shot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55<br />
Powerlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56<br />
KIUC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.<br />
On the cover: 2010 Youth Tour<br />
Winners clockwise from top:<br />
Morgan Azeka, ErinMarie Navarro,<br />
Taylor Langstaff and Beau Acoba.<br />
See story on page 20.<br />
Photo by Shana Holsteen<br />
4463 Pahe’e Street, Suite 1, Līhu’e, Hawai’i 967662000<br />
808.246.4300 ◼ www.kiuc.coop ◼ currents@kiuc.coop<br />
KIUC BOARD MEMBERS<br />
Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian,<br />
Chairman<br />
Peter Yukimura, Vice Chair<br />
David Iha, Secretary<br />
Allan A. Smith, Treasurer<br />
Carol Bain<br />
Stu Burley<br />
Steve Rapozo<br />
Ben Sullivan<br />
Jan TenBruggencate<br />
PRESIDENT & CEO<br />
Randall J. Hee<br />
EDITOR<br />
Anne Barnes<br />
Marketing,<br />
Communications<br />
& Public Affairs<br />
ASSISTANT EDITORS<br />
Maile Moriguchi<br />
Shelley Paik<br />
Marketing,<br />
Communications<br />
& Public Affairs<br />
Pam Blair<br />
Ruralite Services<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Anne Barnes<br />
David Bissell<br />
Dr. Randall Blake<br />
Paul Daniels<br />
Ray Mierta<br />
Maile Moriguchi<br />
Shelley Paik<br />
Kymi Sakai<br />
Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian<br />
Only active KIUC members will be mailed KIUC Currents. KIUC Currents can be found online at www.kiuc.coop under Member<br />
Information and Currents on the website.
By Ray Mierta<br />
Energy conservation practices benefit all KIUC members and our community by reducing energy costs<br />
and improving the quality of our environment. To help our members save energy and money, Energy Wise<br />
offers members several energysaving programs designed to help manage energy costs. Two of these<br />
programs, the Solar Loan Program and the Solar Rebate Program, are described in detail in this issue.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Solar Loan Program offers zerointerest loans to members who want to change their existing<br />
electric water heater to a solar water heating system, or replace an existing nonfunctional solar water<br />
heater at least 15 years old. KIUC pays the interest for the participant. <strong>The</strong> participant repays the<br />
principal over five years. No down payment is required. KIUC has partnered with Kaua’i Community<br />
Federal Credit Union and the County of Kaua’i Housing Agency to provide funding for the loans.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Solar Rebate Program provides an $800 rebate incentive for customers who want to replace their<br />
existing electric water heater with a solar water heater, or replace an existing nonfunctional solar water<br />
heater at least 15 years old.<br />
For additional details about Energy Wise programs available to our members, please contact<br />
the coop at 246.8280 or visit our website at www.kiuc.coop.<br />
ENERGY WISE<br />
KIUC Solar Water Heater Loan Program<br />
4 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
KIUC has partnered with Kaua’i Community<br />
Federal Credit Union (KCFCU) and the Kaua’i<br />
County Housing Agency to bring our customers an<br />
interestfree loan for those who want to install<br />
solar water heating.<br />
Funds for the solar systems are provided by<br />
individual lenders. KIUC pays the interest for<br />
qualified borrowers. <strong>The</strong> loan is paid back over a<br />
fiveyear period.<br />
1. What Kind Of Water Heater<br />
Do I Have?<br />
To qualify for an interestfree solar water heater<br />
loan, you must be a residential customer of record<br />
and have an existing electric resistance water<br />
heater. New construction does not qualify.<br />
<strong>The</strong> loan can be used to replace existing solar<br />
water heaters that are more than 15 years old.<br />
2. Contractor Bid/Credit<br />
Application<br />
Contact one of the Energy Wise Participating<br />
Contractors (listed on page 8) to get a bid for your<br />
solar system. You need to know how much you<br />
want to borrow. Once you know how much the<br />
system will cost, complete a credit application.<br />
Applications can be picked up at either KIUC or<br />
KCFCU. You also can call KIUC and we will mail you<br />
one. Once you have completed the credit<br />
application, return it to KCFCU.
3. Loan Approval<br />
Loan approval will be based on a combination<br />
of factors, including income, credit and<br />
employment history. You will be notified by the<br />
lending partner who accepts the application<br />
whether you qualify.<br />
4. System Installation<br />
You will be contacted in writing when your loan<br />
is approved. Contact your contractor and show<br />
the approval letter from your lender to the<br />
contractor. <strong>The</strong> contractor will complete a KIUC<br />
Incentive Application, which you must sign, and<br />
will forward the application to KIUC.<br />
Once KIUC receives the completed application,<br />
KIUC will mail you an authorization letter which<br />
will advise you to contact your contractor and<br />
arrange for system installation.<br />
5. Schedule a PostInstallation<br />
Verification<br />
Your contractor will notify KIUC after the system<br />
installation has been completed. KIUC will call you<br />
to schedule a postinstallation verification to<br />
verify the system meets KIUC standards.<br />
You will need to be present at the verification to<br />
sign a Verification of Installation form. This form<br />
will be used to notify your lender that the<br />
installation has been completed.<br />
6. Loan Payments/Billing<br />
You will be billed monthly by the lending<br />
institution that issued your loan. Loan<br />
payments must be made directly to the lending<br />
institution. Payments for the loan will not<br />
appear on your KIUC electric bill, and loan<br />
payments for solar systems cannot be mailed to<br />
KIUC or paid in our office.<br />
Solar Loan Checklist<br />
Use this checklist to help you through the<br />
loan process. Remember, KIUC is always here to<br />
help. You can be heating your water with the sun<br />
in no time!<br />
■ I have an electric water heater<br />
■ <strong>Get</strong> contractor bid<br />
■ Complete credit application<br />
■ Loan approval<br />
■ Contractor completes incentive application<br />
■ Receive authorization Letter<br />
■ Have system installed<br />
■ Schedule system verification<br />
■ Enjoy the benefits of solar water heating!<br />
Frequently Asked Questions<br />
Q: Am I required to get multiple bids from<br />
contractors?<br />
A: KIUC does not require you to submit multiple<br />
contractor bids. However, pricing for solar<br />
water heating is very competitive and prices<br />
can vary wildly between contractors. It is a<br />
good idea to shop around to get the best<br />
price and to learn as much about solar water<br />
heating as you can.<br />
Q: Can I choose a contractor who is not<br />
on the list?<br />
A: No. Systems installed by nonparticipating<br />
contractors or systems installed without<br />
following the Energy Wise loan process<br />
cannot be qualified for a loan. All<br />
participating contractors on the list have<br />
agreed to abide by program standards and<br />
will work with the loan process.<br />
Q: Do I have to make a down payment on the<br />
solar system?<br />
A: You are not required to pay the contractor a<br />
down payment for the system. KIUC is<br />
offering 100 percent financing at no interest<br />
to qualifying customers. <strong>The</strong> contractor will<br />
be paid the full amount for the system after<br />
KIUC has verified it has met program<br />
specifications.<br />
Q: What about the rebate program?<br />
A: KIUC knows that customers like choices. <strong>The</strong><br />
solar rebate program is still available if you<br />
would like to have a rebate instead of a loan.<br />
You have a choice of either a rebate or an<br />
interestfree loan.<br />
Q: Where can I call if I have questions about<br />
the loan process?<br />
A: You can call the KIUC Energy Wise hotline at<br />
808.246.8280 or 808.246.8284 Monday<br />
through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<br />
Phone numbers for questions specific to<br />
the credit application can be found on the<br />
application itself.<br />
Q: How long do I have to pay back the loan?<br />
A: <strong>The</strong> principal will be paid back over five<br />
years. It can be paid back sooner if you<br />
wish with no prepayment penalties. All<br />
the interest from the loan will be paid<br />
back by KIUC.<br />
AUGUST 2010 5
6 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Ray Mierta<br />
KIUC Solar Water Heating<br />
Rebate Process<br />
1. What Kind Of Water Heater<br />
Do I Have?<br />
<strong>The</strong> solar water heating rebate is available to<br />
KIUC customers that want to replace an existing<br />
electric resistance water heater, or an existing<br />
solar water heater that is nonfunctional and more<br />
than 15 years old.<br />
2. Call a Participating Contractor<br />
Participating Energy Wise contractors are listed<br />
on page 8. To qualify for a rebate, you must use<br />
one of the participating contractors on the list.<br />
3. <strong>Get</strong> Bids/Sign Rebate<br />
Application<br />
You are not required to get multiple bids for<br />
your solar water heating system. It is<br />
recommended, though, that you speak with more<br />
than one participating contractor to learn as much<br />
as you can about solar water heating systems.<br />
Once you choose a contractor, have them<br />
complete an incentive application form. It needs<br />
to be signed by the legal property owner, and the<br />
landlord/tenant information needs to be<br />
provided. Your contractor will submit the<br />
following to KIUC:<br />
◼ Rebate application form (signed by the legal<br />
property owner)<br />
◼ System Bid (signed by the customer<br />
and contractor)<br />
◼ Form 1 (solar system sizing form)<br />
◼ Solar System Schematic (Drawing of<br />
Proposed System)<br />
4. Receive Authorization Letter<br />
KIUC will mail you an authorization letter. It will<br />
contain an authorization number and an<br />
expiration date. <strong>The</strong> authorization number will<br />
commit program funds to your solar system for 45<br />
days. If the system has not been installed by the<br />
expiration date, your rebate application will be<br />
cancelled and the funds will be made available to<br />
other participants.<br />
In some instances, a rebate application may not<br />
be accepted. You will receive a letter explaining<br />
why your application has been denied.<br />
5. Schedule System Installation<br />
<strong>With</strong> Your Contractor<br />
Call your contractor and tell them that you have<br />
received your authorization letter. Schedule a date<br />
for the system to be installed. In most cases,<br />
systems can be installed in one day.<br />
6. Schedule a PostInstallation<br />
Verification<br />
You will need to call KIUC at 808.246.8280 when<br />
the installation of your system is completed. A<br />
postinstallation verification will be scheduled to<br />
verify that the installed system meets program<br />
standards and specifications. An informational<br />
handout on the use and troubleshooting of your<br />
solar systems timer switch also will be given at<br />
this time. In addition, you will be notified if your<br />
system has met the program specifications.<br />
Systems with deficiencies must be corrected by<br />
your installing contractor within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions<br />
Q: What is the current solar water heating<br />
system rebate levels?<br />
A: Currently, all rebate levels are fixed at $800<br />
per installed solar system.<br />
Q: How do I receive my $800 rebate?<br />
A: “Your contractor will deduct the rebate from<br />
the total cost of the installed system. <strong>The</strong><br />
rebate should appear on both your<br />
contractors invoice and the incentive<br />
application as a reduction to the cost of the<br />
total system, including parts and labor.<br />
Q: Am I required to get multiple<br />
contractor bids?<br />
A: You are not required to submit multiple<br />
contractor bids to KIUC. However, you may<br />
want to interview more than one contractor<br />
to learn as much as you can about solar<br />
water heaters and to shop around for the<br />
best price.<br />
Princeville Utilities Company Inc.<br />
In this month’s “A Pictures Worth,” we visit<br />
the beautiful Princeville area. Out of sight of<br />
residence and visitors alike, we find perhaps the<br />
most important system of any community. What<br />
is this most important system? It is the<br />
wastewater or sewage treatment plant (STP). At<br />
the heart of any aerobic wastewater process is<br />
the “blower,” which provides the oxygen needed<br />
to make it all work!<br />
Q: Can I choose a contractor that is not<br />
on the list?<br />
A: No. Systems installed by nonparticipating<br />
contractors or systems installed without prior<br />
written KIUC authorization do not qualify for<br />
a rebate. All participating contractors on the<br />
list have agreed to abide by the program<br />
standards and have met the programs<br />
licensing and insurance requirements.<br />
Q: Where can I call if I have questions about<br />
the rebate process?<br />
A: You can call the KIUC Energy Wise office at<br />
808.246.8280 or 808.246.8284<br />
Monday through Friday between<br />
7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.<br />
All rebates are contingent upon the availability<br />
of program funds. KIUC reserves the right to<br />
adjust or discontinue rebates at any time<br />
without notice.<br />
By Paul Daniels<br />
A Picture’s Worth...<br />
Overseen by Larry Dill, left, manager of<br />
Princeville Utilities, and operated by a crew that<br />
includes Chad Pasadava, right, we see the new<br />
high (95.8 percent) efficient, 125horsepower<br />
blower motor. This big boy is required to work 24<br />
hours a day, 365 days a year to process the<br />
500,000 gallons a day required of this 11,000acre<br />
community consisting of about 800 homes, 3,000<br />
hotel and condominium units, a shopping center<br />
and all the related infrastructure.<br />
<strong>With</strong> Larry’s 12 years at<br />
Princeville Utilities and Chad’s<br />
25 years at the wastewater<br />
plant, I can only imagine the<br />
stories they could tell. Having<br />
had some personal<br />
experience with STPs, most<br />
people wouldn’t want to hear<br />
them.<br />
Larry and Chad, thanks for<br />
allowing KIUC the<br />
opportunity to assist with<br />
your new efficient motor<br />
project. I hope everything<br />
keeps flowing downhill for<br />
you! (I couldn’t pass up a<br />
chance for a little wastewater<br />
humor.)<br />
If you have a<br />
business, large or<br />
small, and want to<br />
participate in the<br />
Commercial Energy<br />
Wise Program, call<br />
Paul Daniels at<br />
246.8275.<br />
AUGUST 2010 7
8 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Kymi Sakai<br />
Participating Solar Contractor List<br />
Effective May 7, 2010<br />
This list of contractors participating in KIUC’s Energy Wise Solar/Heat Pump Programs is provided as a<br />
service to the cooperative customers/members. This list is effective as of the abovementioned date and<br />
is updated periodically. Before contracting with a particular contractor, you may wish to contact KIUC at<br />
246.8284 for the most recent participating contractor list.<br />
808 Plumbing<br />
5240 C Aliomanu Road<br />
Anahola, HI 96703<br />
808.635.0501<br />
PEYTON’S PLUMBING<br />
PO Box 787<br />
Hanapepe, HI 96716<br />
808.335.3859<br />
SUN KING<br />
PO Box 330879<br />
Kahului, HI 96733<br />
808.2456570 or<br />
877.786.5464<br />
ARROYO’S PLUMBING<br />
3110 Huali Street<br />
Lihue, HI 96766<br />
808.634.5635<br />
SOLAR INSTALLERS<br />
PIPEMASTERS<br />
4643D Puuwai Road<br />
Kalaheo, HI 96741<br />
808.332.8088<br />
TOME’S PLUMBING<br />
PO Box 308<br />
Eleele, HI 96705<br />
808.335.3550<br />
DIVAN PLUMBING<br />
5721 Kaehulua Road<br />
Kapaa, HI 96746<br />
808.822.6925<br />
PONCHO’S SOLAR SERVICE<br />
1333 Opua Street<br />
Honolulu, HI 96818<br />
808.422.4266<br />
TRIPLE T PLUMBING<br />
4093 Puaole Street<br />
Lihue, HI 96766<br />
808.652.5876<br />
HIDEO TANAKA PLUMBING<br />
336 Eggerking Road<br />
Kapaa, HI 96746<br />
808.822.4261<br />
ROYAL FLUSH PLUMBING<br />
731174 Ala Kapua Street<br />
KailuaKona, HI 96740<br />
808.960.3889<br />
UNIFORM PLUMBING,<br />
FIRE & SOLAR<br />
2342 Hulemalu Road<br />
Lihue, HI 96766<br />
808.639.7589<br />
KIUC makes the following disclaimers regarding the participating contractors. Participating<br />
contractors are not agents, employees or representatives of KIUC or of the Energy Wise Program.<br />
KIUC AND THE ENERGY WISE PROGRAM MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT<br />
TO THE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT, INSTALLATION OR WORKMANHSIP PROVIDED BY ANY<br />
PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS ARISING<br />
FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.<br />
KIUC and the Energy Wise Program do not warrant or guarantee that any specific energy savings will<br />
result from installation of the energyefficiency measures recommended by the Energy Wise Program.<br />
Neither KIUC nor the Energy Wise Program, nor any of their officers, agents or employees, is<br />
responsible or liable for any claim, loss or damage arising from or connected with the equipment or<br />
installation recommended by the Energy Wise Program, whether in contract or tort, including<br />
negligence and strict liability. In no event will KIUC’s liability for property loss, damage or injury<br />
resulting from activities under the Energy Wise Program exceed the total rebate amount available under<br />
the Energy Wise Program.
Most homes on Kaua’i do not have automatic<br />
dishwashers. But if you do, KIUC wants you to<br />
change out your old dishwasher and replace it<br />
with a new, energyefficient model.<br />
Older dishwashers rely on a high temperature<br />
setting at the water heater to help get dishes<br />
clean. New dishwashers heat only the water that<br />
is needed to clean a load of dishes—generally<br />
between 5 and 8 gallons—and operate at lower<br />
water temperatures.<br />
Other features on the new units also can help<br />
you save energy. <strong>The</strong> drying cycle uses electricity<br />
to create heat to evaporate the water. Being able<br />
to bypass the heat drying cycle is an option on<br />
many new units. Letting dishes air dry saves<br />
money without sacrificing quality.<br />
Incentives for replacing your existing<br />
dishwasher will be available from August 1 to<br />
September 30. Remember, your local appliance<br />
dealer has a lot of information about new<br />
appliances and energy use.<br />
Landlords interested in<br />
solar water heating?<br />
Call Claurino Bueno at 246.8280<br />
or Steven Rymsha at 246.8287<br />
to discuss exciting<br />
new opportunities.<br />
KIUC $50 Dishwasher Rebates<br />
Begin August 1<br />
AUGUST 2010 9
10 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Shelley Paik<br />
COOPERATIVE TECHNOLOGY<br />
Providing Power to the People<br />
When you see KIUC crews working on overhead<br />
lines, you may wonder why the coop doesn’t put<br />
the lines underground.<br />
It is essential that one have a basic<br />
understanding of how the KIUC power system<br />
functions before the subject of undergrounding<br />
power lines can properly be addressed. Following<br />
is a brief description of the KIUC system.<br />
Two main power plants, Port Allen and Kapaia,<br />
generate almost all of the island’s electrical<br />
energy. <strong>The</strong> two plants are electrically connected<br />
through a transmission grid that operates at a<br />
nominal 58,000 volts. <strong>The</strong> transmission grid is<br />
comprised of approximately 171 miles of<br />
transmission lines that also supply bulk power to<br />
12 distribution substations located throughout the<br />
island. Transmission lines are easily distinguished<br />
from distribution lines as they are attached to<br />
large insulators assembled on very tall structures.<br />
Substations demand electrical energy from the<br />
transmission grid to serve customer loads and<br />
convert it to KIUC’s distribution voltage of 12,470<br />
volts (12 kV). <strong>The</strong> energy is then separated into<br />
multiple circuits, where it is routed to surrounding<br />
communities on distribution lines.<br />
A lot of work goes into planning and building<br />
new substations, as well as upgrading,<br />
maintaining and inspecting existing stations. <strong>The</strong><br />
performance of all substations has a direct impact<br />
on reliability. Last year, the Lydgate Substation was<br />
rebuilt indoors using new technology.<br />
At 12 kV the voltage is still too high to go directly<br />
into your home, so distribution transformers (pole<br />
mounted) step the voltage down again to the level<br />
required by your home: 120/240 volts. <strong>The</strong> 12kV<br />
lines are called primary lines and the 120/240volt<br />
lines are called secondary lines.<br />
From the polemounted transformer, a<br />
secondary service wire is connected to your<br />
house’s meter box, allowing KIUC to measure the<br />
amount of energy used.<br />
From the meter box, service wires connect to<br />
the home’s breaker box, which functions as a<br />
safety mechanism for your home. It is at this point<br />
that your home wiring enables energy to be sent<br />
to your outlets and switches at the touch of a<br />
button or the flip of a switch.<br />
Electricity can be delivered through overhead or<br />
underground power lines. Although underground<br />
lines may seem attractive and secure, they are not<br />
always the optimal choice.
Type of Line Voltage Number of wires Purpose Miles of line<br />
Transmission 57 kV 3 + static<br />
Distribution:<br />
PRIMARY<br />
Distribution:<br />
SECONDARY<br />
2.3 kV<br />
4.16 kV<br />
7.2 kV<br />
12 kV<br />
120/240 kV<br />
1PH & 3PH<br />
440 3PH<br />
Overhead or underground? <strong>The</strong> debate<br />
continues. Both designs have advantages (see<br />
tables 1 and 2). <strong>The</strong> major advantage of overhead<br />
is cost; an underground circuit typically costs five<br />
to 10 times more per mile than the equivalent<br />
overhead circuit and can often be more,<br />
depending on the engineering requirements,<br />
terrain and other circumstances.<br />
3 + neutral<br />
3 or<br />
1 + neutral (3ph)<br />
Two ways electricity can be delivered:<br />
Overhead and Underground<br />
KIUC Secondary Line<br />
1PH Line<br />
Power<br />
Transformer<br />
Lihue substation transformers<br />
Long distance and<br />
bulk power: (ex: ??<br />
mile) from power<br />
plants to substations<br />
Medium distance:<br />
from substation<br />
to subdivision<br />
Service line to<br />
connect members<br />
Overhead: 167.6 miles<br />
Underground:<br />
3.897 miles<br />
Overhead: 566 miles<br />
Underground: 202 miles<br />
Overhead: 432 miles<br />
Underground: 67 miles<br />
Underground transmission lines have specific<br />
requirements. A single transmission circuit<br />
requires three wires, each installed in an<br />
individual pipe (duct). <strong>The</strong> three ducts are<br />
encased in thermal concrete (duct bank), are<br />
surrounded by special thermal backfill material,<br />
and run from manhole to manhole. <strong>The</strong> upper<br />
surface of the (duct bank) must be at least 4 feet<br />
below grade.<br />
Distribuon<br />
Bus<br />
Total Number<br />
of Miles<br />
171.45<br />
767.76<br />
498.8<br />
AUGUST 2010 11
12 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Voltage reduction<br />
Because repairs to failed underground lines can<br />
be costly, environmentally disruptive and timeintensive,<br />
underground construction design<br />
includes installing a spare duct that can be used to<br />
replace a damaged cable or pipe without<br />
reopening the entire trench. Failures of<br />
underground lines have to be excavated and<br />
conduit installed, digging trenches in lawns or<br />
gardens on private property, and causing traffic<br />
control issues. Following Hurricane Iniki, the areas<br />
that generally took the longest to repair were<br />
those served by underground facilities due to the<br />
extended time involved in replacing riser cables.<br />
Underground systems are designed for<br />
redundancy (a looped circuit), with faulted<br />
sections of cable that can be removed from<br />
service while maintaining service to customers.<br />
Frequently, designs also include a dedicated fiber<br />
optic cable for line protection and control devices,<br />
which protect the system during faults and other<br />
anomalies.<br />
Usually, a distribution line will be routed along<br />
with other utilities, including telephone and cable.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se circuits must be considered when<br />
undergrounding an overhead line, and will<br />
increase the work and, therefore, the cost.<br />
57,000 volts<br />
Feeder lines, usually<br />
13,000 volts<br />
All electric lines produce heat. As a result, there<br />
is a limit regarding the amount of energy they can<br />
carry to prevent overheating and failure.<br />
Underground lines cannot dissipate heat as well<br />
as overhead lines. Surrounding soil conditions,<br />
adjacent underground utilities and the depth of<br />
installation all affect the wire’s ability to dissipate<br />
heat. Lower thermal ratings for underground<br />
transmission lines mean they do not have as much<br />
flexibility as overhead lines to carry heavy<br />
volumes of power on hot summer days, or during<br />
emergency conditions.<br />
Once lines are constructed underground, KIUC<br />
has little or no flexibility to upgrade the facilities<br />
to respond to changes on the system. Overhead<br />
lines offer the ability to replace wires<br />
(reconductor) and make other changes to allow<br />
the facilities to carry more energy, if necessary.<br />
Since underground facilities are not visible,<br />
damage and corrosion often ends in failure and an<br />
extended outage. As underground cables<br />
approach their end of life, failure rates increase<br />
significantly—and these failures are extremely<br />
difficult to locate and repair.
No system is totally underground. Eventually,<br />
lines come above ground. Some equipment—<br />
such as transformers and switches—cannot be put<br />
underground. While a neighborhood may be<br />
locally served by underground cable, all electric<br />
service eventually comes back above ground and<br />
connects to an overhead service, either in the<br />
next neighborhood or further down the street,<br />
where overhead main lines and transmission lines<br />
move power from power plants and substations<br />
into our neighborhoods.<br />
Exposure to aboveground electric service from<br />
weather, animals and trees is never fully<br />
eliminated. Underground systems face outages<br />
from trees collapsing on aboveground facilities or<br />
from tree root systems uprooting buried cable<br />
when trees topple.<br />
Transmission lines need to provide enough<br />
capacity to power large areas. <strong>The</strong>y are much<br />
more complex to design and build, and the<br />
material cost is more intensive than distribution<br />
lines. Design, installation and maintenance costs<br />
are all higher for underground lines.<br />
Factors influencing the cost are sitespecific and<br />
include the following:<br />
• Route considerations, including right of way,<br />
easement and permitting costs, and whether<br />
the line will be placed in a road right of way.<br />
• Terrain and obstacle considerations, including<br />
other underground utilities, streams, railroad<br />
crossings, embankments, bridges, major<br />
streets and highways, traffic and soil<br />
conditions, such as wetlands, bedrock and<br />
hazardous materials.<br />
Hot Spots<br />
KIUC Secondary Line<br />
1PH Line<br />
TV Cable<br />
KIUC 12kV 3PH<br />
Distribuon Line<br />
3ph Transformers<br />
• Permitting considerations, including traffic<br />
and lane restrictions, noise, time of day and<br />
other construction considerations.<br />
• On Kaua’i, trenching and boring usually will<br />
involve archeological and historical sites such<br />
as Hawaiian burial grounds.<br />
• Design considerations, such as mitigating soil<br />
thermal characteristics.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are pros and cons to both underground<br />
and overhead design.<br />
TABLE 1 Overhead vs. Underground: Advantages of Each<br />
OVERHEAD UNDERGROUND<br />
Cost—Overhead’s number one advantage. Lower initial cost.<br />
Less costly to restore and offer easier expansion options.<br />
Longer life—30 to 50 years versus 15 to 35 for new<br />
underground works.<br />
Reliability—Shorter outage durations because of faster fault<br />
finding and repair.<br />
Loading—Overhead circuits can more readily withstand<br />
overloads.<br />
Accessibility—Overhead lines are easily accessible from the<br />
street. This is a major plus when it comes to the initial<br />
installation and repairs. By eliminating the need for<br />
extensive excavation work, labor hours are drastically<br />
reduced, which consequently lowers installation costs. It<br />
also makes adding a line much easier.<br />
Service Drop<br />
Telephone Line<br />
and Pole<br />
KIUC Street<br />
Light<br />
Aesthetics—Underground’s number one advantage.<br />
Undergrounding removes a significant amount of visual<br />
clutter. Especially in residential areas, parks, wildlife areas<br />
and scenic areas, where visual impact is important.<br />
Safety—Less chance for public contact.<br />
Reliability—Fewer short and longduration interruptions.<br />
Underground lines are protected from storm damage.<br />
O&M—Lower maintenance costs (tree trimming). Less<br />
periodic maintenance.<br />
Cost—Property values increase when utility poles do not<br />
interfere with views.<br />
AUGUST 2010 13
TABLE 2– Overhead vs. Underground: Disadvantages of Each<br />
14 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
OVERHEAD UNDERGROUND<br />
Aesthetic—Aboveground wiring can become an eyesore.<br />
Old circuits can become ugly (odd angles, pole that is not<br />
straight, too many circuit transformer tanks, etc.).<br />
Reliability—Overhead lines are exposed to damage from trees<br />
and debris blowing into lines, storms, lightning strikes and<br />
public interference. Severe weather can cause significant<br />
damage to aboveground wiring. All it takes is an old branch<br />
and some strong winds, and you could be facing an<br />
inconvenient repair.<br />
Safety—Poles present hazards for motor vehicles and downed<br />
lines present electrical and fire hazards. Most accidents<br />
with overhead lines involve ladders, cranes, truckmounted<br />
lifting devices and other machinery that come to close to<br />
overhead lines.<br />
Environmental—Endangered bird species can collide with<br />
overhead facilities.<br />
Cost—Undergrounding costs are significantly higher than<br />
overhead designs.<br />
Reliability—Underground interruptions may be less frequent,<br />
but typically last longer due to more complex repair<br />
requirements. It takes more time to locate problems and<br />
make repairs. Underground facilities are more susceptible<br />
to water intrusion and local flood damage.<br />
Since underground systems have overhead components,<br />
storm winds and public interference could damage both<br />
types of systems, causing outages.<br />
Safety—Most accidents involving underground lines occur<br />
while digging and excavating in areas near underground<br />
cables.<br />
Lightning also can damage cable, terminators and splices of<br />
underground facilities and reduce their lifespan, either<br />
from direct or indirect strikes.<br />
Environmental—Underground lines require extensive<br />
trenching and installation of vaults and manholes,<br />
therefore having greater impact on natural resources<br />
such as wetlands and wildlife habitat.<br />
Health—Exposure to magnetic fields. Health—Placing lines underground does not completely<br />
shield magnetic fields, which can radiate up through<br />
the ground.<br />
O&M—Periodic maintenance and inspection (including<br />
helicopter survey) must be performed. Termites and<br />
humidity are the big problems for the poles.<br />
Regulation—Transmission overhead projects—the addition of<br />
new lines or reconfiguration–must be presented to the PUC<br />
for approval.<br />
O&M—Underground transmission lines require specialized<br />
equipment and crews for construction and terminations<br />
(generally external contractors from the mainland). Special<br />
skills also are needed to locate and repair faults, and special<br />
heavy equipment must be brought in to dig up a line.<br />
Regulation—Frequently, underground projects will exceed $<br />
2.5 million and have to be approved by the PUC prior to<br />
expenditure.<br />
To ensure that customers throughout our island are being<br />
treated fairly and that customers in one area are not<br />
subsidizing underground facilities being built or converted<br />
in other area, the PUC enacted a rule (Rule 13) requiring<br />
that the party seeking a conversion from overhead to<br />
underground facilities must pay for the associated cost of<br />
conversion.<br />
KIUC tariffs carry the full force and effect of law, having<br />
been approved by the Hawaii PUC. <strong>The</strong> rules are pretty<br />
clear that if the customer, developer or subdivider wants<br />
an underground system, they must pay the difference<br />
between the overhead and underground system costs.<br />
Aesthetic—During installation, lawns, gardens, sidewalks<br />
and driveways are dug up and can get messy;<br />
construction lasts longer.
By Shelley Paik<br />
KIUC Signs<br />
Agreement for Biodiesel<br />
At the June KIUC Board of Directors meeting, the board unanimously approved resolution No. 0910,<br />
authorizing KIUC to sign a purchase agreement with Kaua’i Farm Fuel (KFF), a Kaua’i business that<br />
produces and sells biodiesel.<br />
KFF will supply KIUC with biodiesel at its Port Allen Power Plant for use in the Stork Wartsila Diesel<br />
(SWD) engines.<br />
KIUC Recycles Used Oil<br />
Photo by Shelley Paik<br />
Every week, four tankers come to the Port Allen Generating Station in ‘Ele’ele to deliver used oil for<br />
use in its Combustion Engineering Boiler. KIUC burns an average of 22,000 gallons of used oil weekly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> used oil has been processed to remove water and other contaminants, and is able to meet the<br />
specifications of the Hawai’i Department of Health, Clean Air Branch. Using this oil helps offset the<br />
cost of fuel because it is cheaper than diesel.<br />
AUGUST 2010 15
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
A Message From the Chairman<br />
16 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Aloha to all our members,<br />
In early June, I had the opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the Hawai’i State<br />
Association of Counties, whose president is a former KIUC director, Councilman Derek<br />
Kawakami. <strong>The</strong> organization’s goal to encourage participation by the private sector is a good<br />
one. <strong>The</strong> meeting included representatives from the utility industry, banking and finance,<br />
renewable energy, land developers and others. <strong>The</strong> meeting covered a wide array of<br />
subjects from energy, possibilities of PACE; solid waste; sustainability and the Blue Planet<br />
Foundation. It is evident that all are concerned about our oil dependency and are doing all<br />
we can to move toward renewable energy sources. We are fortunate on Kaua’i as we added<br />
a hydro project as well as solar to our grid.<br />
Our hardworking staff continues to pursue renewable projects throughout the island.<br />
Solar, biomass and hydro are all being considered.<br />
Other parts of this magazine have excellent ways to conserve energy and save on your electric bill. I hope<br />
you find the articles helpful and I welcome your feedback on how we can better serve you.<br />
<strong>The</strong> members of your Board of Directors are more than happy to receive your comments. Call us.<br />
KIUC’s 2010<br />
Membership Meeting<br />
KIUC<br />
Annual<br />
Membership<br />
Meeting<br />
Phil Tacbian, Chairman, KIUC<br />
Save the date for the KIUC Membership Meeting on Sunday,<br />
September 12, 2010, at the War Memorial Convention Hall<br />
from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.<br />
Doors will open at 4 p.m., with the first 300 members<br />
receiving a bag of rice. All members in attendance will receive<br />
an annual report and reusable shopping bag. We also will have<br />
Coop Connections cards available.<br />
Kalaheo School’s Sunshine Express will perform prior to the<br />
business meeting, which begins at 4:30 p.m.<br />
Bring your family and neighbors to learn about what KIUC has<br />
been doing, and enjoy a light dinner and entertainment.<br />
We hope you will join us!
Meeting Date Item Description Board Action<br />
5/25 Regular Meeting<br />
6/29 Regular Meeting<br />
New<br />
Business<br />
F&A<br />
New<br />
Business<br />
Board Policy No. 4, Committees<br />
Board Policy No, 27, Director<br />
Communications and Disclosure<br />
Approval to pay attorney invoices<br />
Support project agreement for Fiber Optics<br />
Sighting project partnering with the<br />
U.S. Navy (PMRF)<br />
Approval to pay attorney invoices<br />
Approval of D7 & D9 Control System<br />
Replacement 2011 total capital project<br />
amounts and move 2011 capital budget<br />
funds for expenditure in 2010. D7 = $345k &<br />
D9 = $300k (Production BARs -2)<br />
NRECA voting delegate for the 2010 NRECA<br />
Annual Meeting and Region 9 Meeting;<br />
previous appointment of Steve Rapozo<br />
as delegate and Stewart Burley as alternate<br />
will continue<br />
Approval of revised Board Policy No. 8,<br />
Director & Committee Member Compensation<br />
and Expense Reimbursement<br />
Approve (pro-amendment) Board Resolution<br />
No. 08-10 allowing any currently sitting KIUC<br />
director to attend all KIUC board committee<br />
meetings<br />
Approve Board Resolution No. 09-10<br />
authorizing CFO Bissell to sign Kaua’i Farm<br />
Fuels Biodiesel Purchase Agreement<br />
Nomination of Director Steve Rapozo to fill<br />
position of 2nd Vice Chair Executive Officer<br />
for the KIUC Board<br />
Board Actions<br />
Sent back to Policy<br />
Committee for<br />
additional edits<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
No motion<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
Motion carried 6-0-1<br />
Motion carried<br />
unanimously<br />
Motion withdrawn-no vote<br />
for May June 2010<br />
AUGUST 2010 17
18 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Save on Your Next Vacation<br />
<strong>With</strong> Coop Connections<br />
<strong>With</strong> over 280 coops across the nation participating in the Coop Connections<br />
program, it’s easy to stay “connected” while you travel. Be sure to pack your<br />
Coop Connections card for discounts on cruises, points of interest, transportation,<br />
food and lodging, sightseeing, and much more.<br />
Here are just a few national vendors participating in Coop Connections:<br />
Alamo ◼ National ◼ Hertz ◼ Enterprise<br />
Cruises, Inc.<br />
Best Western ◼ Howard Johnson ◼ La Quinta Inns and Suites<br />
Orbitz<br />
Be sure to visit www.connections.coop for both national and local deals<br />
across the U.S. Just enter the state or zip code of the area you will be visiting<br />
and enjoy the savings!
As a cardcarrying member, you can use your Coop Connections Card or key fob at any participating<br />
business and receive discounts at restaurants and retail shops, services, hotels and much more. Spotting<br />
a participating business is easy. Look for the Coop Connections Card sticker on the door or cash register<br />
at the business. KIUC publishes an updated list of participating businesses in each issue of KIUC Currents<br />
magazine, but deals are added all the time. <strong>The</strong> best spot to find the latest deals is online at<br />
www.kiuc.coop. Simply click the “Coop Connections” link. If you have a business and would like to<br />
participate in the program, please call 246.4348 for more information.<br />
Aloha Services, Kapa’a<br />
10% discount on all shipping, storage, copies and post<br />
office box rentals.<br />
Backdoor Hanalei, Hanalei<br />
10% off all originalpriced goods, except surfboards<br />
and paddleboards.<br />
Beachrail, Līhu’e & Hanamā’ulu<br />
5% off products, except Lionel trains and collectable<br />
items.<br />
Buddha Boutique, Līhu’e<br />
10% off (discount cannot be combined with other<br />
discounts or instore specials).<br />
Edward Jones, Kalāheo<br />
Free portfolio review.<br />
Hanalei Paddler, Hanalei<br />
10% off all originalpriced goods, except surfboards<br />
and paddleboards.<br />
Hanalei Surf Company, Hanalei<br />
10% off all originalpriced goods, except surfboards<br />
and paddleboards.<br />
JJ’s Broiler, Līhu’e<br />
“Early Bird Special” – Customer must be seated<br />
between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to receive a 10% discount<br />
on food items. Liquor is excluded. Tax and gratuity<br />
not included.<br />
Jim Saylor Jewelers, Kapa’a<br />
10% discount.<br />
Kalapaki Bay Memorial Park, Līhu’e<br />
$150 discount on cemetary plots.<br />
Kaua’i Floors, Inc., Līhu’e<br />
10% off all area rugs in stock, not already reduced.<br />
Kaua’i Inn, Līhu’e<br />
20% off rack rate.<br />
Kaua’i SelfStorage, Līhu’e<br />
10% off regular rental rate plus one free lock with<br />
rental of any size unit.<br />
By Maile Moriguchi<br />
KIUC’S VALUE ADDED SERVICES<br />
Cash In On Savings <strong>With</strong> Your<br />
Co-op Connections Card<br />
Kaua’i Memorial Gardens, Līhu’e<br />
5% discount on cemetery property and funeral plans<br />
(preneed). Not good toward atneed services and<br />
merchandise.<br />
Kayak Kaua’i, Kapa’a<br />
10% discount on tours and rentals.<br />
Kujo’s Mini Mart, Kalāheo<br />
10% off everything, except alcohol, cigarettes and<br />
gift items.<br />
Lawai Cannery Self Storage & Warehouses, Kalāheo<br />
10% off of any selfstorage unit. Offer not valid with<br />
any other specials.<br />
Market Street Diner, Līhu’e<br />
10% off all items, excluding early bird or happy hour.<br />
New Leaf Skin Care, Līhu’e<br />
15% off all skin care services.<br />
North Shore General Store, Princeville<br />
20% off café prices.<br />
Precision Tinting Kaua’i, Līhu’e<br />
15% off regular price.<br />
Princeville Mail Center (Aloha Services), Princeville<br />
10% discount on all shipping, storage, copies and post<br />
office box rentals.<br />
Progressive Expressions, Kōloa<br />
10% off originalmarked prices, except surfboards.<br />
Sweet N Sassy, ʻEleʻele<br />
10% off all regularpriced merchandise, not to include<br />
sale items or other instore promotions.<br />
Tropics Day Spa, ʻEleʻele<br />
Purchase a onehour massage at regular price ($85)<br />
and get 30 additional minutes for free.<br />
Wings Over Kaua’i, Kalāheo<br />
10% off, three passenger maximum, two passenger<br />
minimum. Direct booking only.<br />
Members can pick up their Coop Connections card at KIUC’s main office in Līhu’e. If your<br />
business would like to participate in the program, or for more information, please contact<br />
Maile Moriguchi at 246.4348.<br />
AUGUST 2010 19
20 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By ErinMarie Navarro<br />
KIUC KEIKI<br />
Ready! Set! Count Off!<br />
‘<strong>The</strong> <strong>Fantastic</strong> <strong>Four</strong>’<br />
ErinMarie Navarro of Kaua’i High School at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.<br />
<strong>Four</strong> was the magic number as a select group of<br />
high school students embarked on a lifechanging<br />
experience to Washington, D.C., courtesy of KIUC.<br />
When given this opportunity, the students not<br />
only gained a deeper understanding of how our<br />
nation came to be, they also became aware of the<br />
shocking similarities they shared with other<br />
students from across the United States.<br />
Additionally, the fantastic four gained a greater<br />
sense of pride that came from being born and<br />
raised in Hawai’i and even more so, on the<br />
beautiful island of Kaua’i.<br />
Like those of us from Hawai’i, these groups of<br />
students were unique and diverse, each in their<br />
own way. <strong>The</strong> Kaua’i students consisted of four<br />
upcoming seniors from the class of 2011: Beau<br />
Acoba (Waimea High School), Morgan Azeka<br />
(Kamehameha Schools), Taylor Langstaff (Kapa’a<br />
High School), and ErinMarie Navarro (Kaua’i High<br />
School), that’s me! Although uniquely diverse,<br />
each student exemplified an asset that reflected<br />
the Aloha Spirit which we live by here in Hawai’i.<br />
Goodbye Hawai’i; Aloha Kansas!<br />
“Aloha! From the Kansas State Capitol!”<br />
Arriving a day early in Kansas City, the four<br />
students waited anxiously for their soontobe<br />
Kansas roommates. Anticipation filled the air as<br />
each student wondered curiously, who and what<br />
these Kansas students were all about.<br />
“I had a typical and unfair belief that they’d all<br />
just be boring, super sheltered and very<br />
conservative,” said Morgan, who in the end, found<br />
her accusations to be partially false. “Some of<br />
them were sheltered and some conservative, but<br />
none of them were boring and most of them<br />
weren’t sheltered; I even met a fellow liberal.”<br />
After getting settled in, the students were<br />
welcomed at a “<strong>Get</strong> <strong>Acquainted</strong> Banquet” where<br />
the Hawai’i students greeted their fellow<br />
delegates with flower leis. <strong>The</strong> Youth Leadership<br />
Council (YLC) interviews followed the banquet.<br />
Each state participating in the Youth Tour was<br />
required to select one student who would<br />
represent their state at the National Rural Electric<br />
Cooperative Association (NRECA) Conference the<br />
following month in Washington, D.C., and again in<br />
March 2011 in Florida.<br />
“I was very nervous going through the interview<br />
process,” said Morgan. Others, like Taylor, felt it<br />
was a “good opportunity” and tried to “nail the<br />
speech and interview” the best he could.<br />
In the end, Taylor was selected from the three<br />
Kaua’i students that applied.
“I didn’t think I would have made it,” he added. As he<br />
continuously volunteered to lend a helping hand, he became<br />
the perfect example of what the Aloha spirit is all about and<br />
was given the suitable name: “Mr. <strong>Fantastic</strong>.” Besides making<br />
“a lot of friends and worldwide connects,” Taylor also hopes “to<br />
lead a good and positive example for the keiki over here.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> following day, the students journeyed to the Kansas<br />
State Capitol building for an abbreviated tour. <strong>The</strong>y also took<br />
part in demonstrations provided by the LyonCoffey<br />
Cooperative in Burlington, Kansas. <strong>The</strong>ir day ended at AMC<br />
Fork and Screen for a movie and meal.<br />
I Love Washington, D.C.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Trip of a Lifetime”<br />
<strong>The</strong> journey continued as the Hawai’i/Kansas delegation<br />
flew to Washington, D.C. A funfilled day ensued as the<br />
students visited Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Ford’s<br />
<strong>The</strong>ater and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing<br />
Arts. On the days that followed, the students also toured<br />
Arlington National Cemetery, where they not only gained a<br />
greater respect, but also a deeper sense of appreciation<br />
for those who have given their lives for the sake of our<br />
country and, even more so, our freedom.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Photos from left: 1. Beau shares a piece of Hawai’i with Kansas Youth Tour Delegate Jaeton Martin. 2. Morgan in the gift shop at<br />
Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. 3. <strong>The</strong> Hawai’i/Kansas Delegation in front of the Supreme Court. 4. Taylor representing the<br />
State of Hawai’i at the NRECA Youth Day Program. 5. Beau at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. 6. <strong>The</strong> Hawai’i Youth Tour<br />
Delegation in front of the White House.<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
AUGUST 2010 21
Top: Hawai’i Youth Tour delegation with the Hawai’i Congresswoman Mazie Hirono<br />
and Congressman Charles Djou.<br />
Middle: Beau and Taylor with Senator Daniel Inouye.<br />
Bottom: <strong>The</strong> Hawai’i Youth Tour delegation visiting with Senator Daniel Akaka in his D.C. office.<br />
22 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Also on their agenda was the popular Holocaust<br />
Museum, the Smithsonian Museums, Mount<br />
Vernon (home of George Washington), Fort<br />
McHenry, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the<br />
Pentagon Memorial, the Newseum, the Franklin<br />
D. Roosevelt Memorial and the National Archives.<br />
<strong>The</strong> group also took part in night tours,<br />
encountering a little rain. On the night tours, the<br />
Hawai’i/Kansas delegation toured the Lincoln,<br />
Vietnam, Korean, Jefferson, and World War II<br />
memorials. Students gained the utmost respect,<br />
appreciation, and humility from these memorials.<br />
Standing at the top of the steps of the Lincoln<br />
Memorial, the students were inspired and taken<br />
back to the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered<br />
his, “I Have a Dream” speech. One could only<br />
imagine the thousands of people who stood<br />
before him.<br />
Being in D.C., the students anxiously awaited<br />
the tour of the White House. “I wonder if we’re<br />
going to see Obama,” some students asked.<br />
Others, like Beau, thought “walking in the<br />
halls of the White House was cool. It’s cool to<br />
have walked in the same rooms the presidents<br />
have walked in. Not many people get<br />
that opportunity!”<br />
Although the students were unable to meet the<br />
very busy President Obama, they were fortunate<br />
enough to have breakfast with Congressman<br />
Charles Djou and Congresswoman Mazie Hirono.<br />
Speaking with Congressman Djou and<br />
Congresswoman Hirono, the students found that<br />
they have just as difficult a time being away from<br />
home as the students did.<br />
“You can’t get the same kind of rice here as you<br />
do in Hawai’i,” exclaimed Congressman Djou as<br />
the Hawai’i students laughed in amusement.<br />
Being on a tight schedule, the students made it<br />
just in time to take a quick photo with Senator<br />
Akaka who, at the time, was preparing to go on<br />
the floor. However, the students were fortunate<br />
enough to meet with Senator Inouye. Being<br />
in the presence of Senator Inouye, the<br />
students felt inspired.<br />
“He’s seen so many different things and<br />
accomplished so much in his lifetime, I can only<br />
hope to lead a life half as rich in experiences as<br />
him,” said Morgan. To Taylor, Senator Inouye’s<br />
wisdom and way of storytelling “reminded me of<br />
my grandpa.”
From the monuments and memorials, to the<br />
many different politicians, Washington, D.C.,<br />
provided a glimpse back in time for these born<br />
and raised, Hawai’i students.<br />
“I’ve always been proud of being raised here,<br />
but this trip showed me how fortunate I am to be<br />
from here,” said Morgan.<br />
Youth Day<br />
“If you can’t stand up, stand out!”<br />
Can you imagine being in a room full of 1,500<br />
teenagers from 43 other different states? <strong>The</strong><br />
excitement filled the room as all the students who<br />
partook in this event finally met in one room.<br />
<strong>The</strong> guest speaker, Mike Schlappi—fourtime<br />
Paralympic Medalist in USA Men’s Wheelchair<br />
Basketball—motivated the students, telling them<br />
“if you can’t stand up, stand out!” His words of<br />
inspiration not only challenged the students to<br />
embrace their true being but also encouraged<br />
them to challenge themselves and go beyond<br />
what is expected of them. Ironically, in a room full<br />
of 1,500 teenagers, it was through Mike’s message<br />
that each student found their identity, their own<br />
personal reason to stand out.<br />
Becoming an ‘Ohana<br />
“You know you’re part of the Hawai’i/Kansas<br />
Delegation when…”<br />
In a delegation made up of 35 students, 31 of<br />
them being from Kansas, the question “Why<br />
Kansas?!” would be asked frequently. Truth be<br />
told, the students couldn’t have been more<br />
compatible. Not only did they take well to one<br />
another, but the chaperones<br />
did, too.<br />
Like any group of strangers, everyone didn’t<br />
exactly take to each other from the start. “But<br />
then we rubbed off on them,” said Beau. <strong>With</strong>in<br />
days, a group of strangers became a family.<br />
Others, like Taylor, realized the Kansas students<br />
weren’t “SO different from us” and that they<br />
were “really just a bunch of country kids, too.”<br />
Here in Hawai’i, our ‘ohana is not only limited to<br />
our biological parents or siblings. Our ‘ohana<br />
could include a friend and even a stranger. This<br />
became true as saying goodbye to one another<br />
was a difficult task. But to finish the phrase, “You<br />
know you’re part of the Hawai’i/Kansas<br />
Delegation when—one would have had to have<br />
been there to understand how they became not<br />
only a delegation, but an ‘ohana.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hawai’i Youth Tour Delegation in the U.S. Capitol Visitor<br />
Center, the new home for the Kamehameha Statue.<br />
AUGUST 2010 23
Raising Streetwise Kids<br />
A Parent’s Guide<br />
24 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Would Your Child Know What<br />
to Do If—<br />
◼ He got lost at a shopping mall?<br />
◼ A nicelooking, friendly stranger offered her a<br />
ride home after school?<br />
◼ A friend dared him to drink some beer or<br />
smoke a joint?<br />
◼ <strong>The</strong> babysitter or a neighbor wanted to play a<br />
“secret” game?<br />
A great thing about kids is their natural trust in<br />
people, especially in adults. It is sometimes hard<br />
for parents to teach children to balance this trust<br />
with caution. But kids today need to know<br />
commonsense rules that can help keep them<br />
safe—and build the selfconfidence they need to<br />
handle emergencies.<br />
Start <strong>With</strong> the Basics<br />
◼ Make sure your children know their full name,<br />
address (city and state), and phone number<br />
with area code.<br />
◼ Be sure kids know to call 911 or “0” in<br />
emergencies and how to use a public phone.<br />
Practice making emergency calls with a makebelieve<br />
phone.<br />
◼ Tell them never to accept rides or gifts from<br />
someone they and you don’t know well .<br />
◼ Teach children to go to a store clerk, security<br />
guard, or police officer for help if lost in a mall<br />
or store or on the street.<br />
◼ Set a good example with your own actions—<br />
lock doors and windows and see who is there<br />
before opening the door.<br />
◼ Take time to listen carefully to your children’s<br />
fears and feelings about people or places that<br />
scare them or make them feel uneasy. Tell<br />
them to trust their instincts.
At School and Play<br />
◼ Encourage your children to walk and play with<br />
friends, not alone. Tell them to avoid places<br />
that could be dangerous: vacant buildings,<br />
alleys and playground or parks with broken<br />
equipment and litter.<br />
◼ Teach children to settle arguments with<br />
words, not fists, and to walk away when<br />
others are arguing. Remind them that<br />
taunting and teasing can hurt friends and<br />
make enemies.<br />
◼ Make sure your children are taking the safest<br />
routes to and from school, stores, and friends’<br />
houses. Walk the routes together and point<br />
out places they could go for help.<br />
◼ Encourage kids to be alert in the<br />
neighborhood, and tell an adult—you, a<br />
teacher, a neighbor, a police officer—about<br />
anything they see that doesn’t seem<br />
quite right.<br />
◼ Check out the school’s policies on absent<br />
children. Are parents called when<br />
a child is absent?<br />
◼ Check out daycare and afterschool programs.<br />
Look at certifications, staff qualifications,<br />
rules on parent permission for field trips,<br />
reputation in the community, parent<br />
participation, and policies on parent visits.<br />
◼ Check babysitter references.<br />
At Home Alone<br />
◼ Leave a phone number where you can be<br />
reached. Post it by the phone, along with<br />
numbers for a neighbor and emergencies,<br />
police and fire departments, paramedics and<br />
the poison control center.<br />
◼ Have your child check in with you or a<br />
neighbor when he or she gets home. Agree<br />
on rules for having friends over and going to a<br />
friend’s house when no adult is home.<br />
◼ Make sure your child knows how to use the<br />
window and door locks.<br />
◼ Tell your child not to let anyone into the<br />
home without your permission, and never to<br />
let a caller at the door or on the phone know<br />
there is no adult home. Kids can always say<br />
their parents are busy and take a message.<br />
◼ Work out an escape plan in case of fire or<br />
other emergencies. Rehearse with your<br />
children.<br />
Protecting Your Child Against<br />
Sexual Abuse<br />
◼ Let your child know that he or she can tell you<br />
anything, and that you will be supportive.<br />
◼ Teach your child that no one—not even a<br />
teacher or a close relative—has the right to<br />
touch him or her in a way that feels<br />
uncomfortable, and that it’s OK to say no, get<br />
away, and tell a trusted adult.<br />
◼ Don’t force kids to kiss or hug or sit on a<br />
grownup’s lap if they don’t want to. This<br />
gives them control and teaches them that<br />
they have the right to refuse.<br />
◼ Always know where your child is and who he<br />
or she is with.<br />
◼ Tell your child to stay away from strangers<br />
who hang around playgrounds, public<br />
restrooms, and schools.<br />
◼ Be alert for changes in your child’s behavior<br />
that could signal sexual abuse, such as sudden<br />
secretiveness, withdrawal from activities,<br />
refusal to go to school, unexplained hostility<br />
toward a favorite babysitter or relative, or<br />
increased anxiety. Some physical signs of<br />
abuse include bed wetting, loss of appetite,<br />
venereal disease, nightmares, and complaints<br />
of pain or irritation around the genitals.<br />
◼ If your child has been sexually abused, report<br />
it to the police or a child protection agency<br />
immediately. If your child is a victim of any<br />
crime, from stolen lunch money to sexual<br />
abuse, don’t blame him or her. Listen and<br />
offer sympathy.<br />
Take a Stand!<br />
◼ Work with schools and recreation centers to<br />
offer study time, activities, tutoring, and<br />
recreation be fore and after school.<br />
◼ Start a school callback program. When a<br />
student—elementary, middle or high school<br />
age—doesn’t arrive as scheduled, volunteers<br />
at the school call the parents to make sure<br />
the absence is excused.<br />
◼ Volunteer to help with a McGruff House or<br />
other block parent program. If you can’t offer<br />
your home as a haven for children in<br />
emergencies, you can help in other ways:<br />
telephoning, fundraising or public relations.<br />
A McGruff house is a reliable source of help for<br />
children in an emergency or frightening situation.<br />
Volunteers must meet specific standards,<br />
including a law enforcement records check.<br />
Programs are established locally as a partnership<br />
among law enforcement, schools and community<br />
organizations.<br />
For information, call<br />
801.486.8768.<br />
Crime prevention tips<br />
are from National<br />
Crime Prevention<br />
Council, 1700 K St. NW,<br />
Second Floor<br />
Washington, D.C.<br />
200063817<br />
and the National<br />
Citizens’ Crime<br />
Prevention Campaign,<br />
sponsored by the<br />
Crime Prevention<br />
Coalition of America,<br />
substantially funded<br />
by the U.S. Department<br />
of Justice.<br />
AUGUST 2010 25
KIUC’s Summer Science Pilot Program<br />
ZAPS Sizzled Again This Summer!<br />
26 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
For two weeks in July, the KIUC main office room in Lihue was the site of an energy pilot program for<br />
the second year.<br />
Named in the first year of this threeyear program, the ZAPS program again was largely funded by a<br />
grant from the Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC). It consisted of students and teachers who<br />
volunteered to help KIUC pilot the program designed by Traci Sullivan.<br />
Again this year, ZAPS focused on educating young people on the importance of energy efficiency and<br />
conservation, with the hope of developing a generation of productive citizens by inspiring a sense of<br />
responsibility with regard to energy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two weeks were packed with handson activities, experiments, a field trip to the power plant,<br />
guest speakers, blogging, article writing and even a bit of public speaking. Teachers Lisa McDown,<br />
Crystal Rivera and Laulea Smythe, along with KIUC’s Community Relations Coordinator Maile Moriguchi,<br />
other KIUC staff and members, worked with Traci to create a memorable learning experience<br />
for the students.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following pages are stories written and designed by the participating students.
Paul Daniels looks on as Cameron Akana reads a meter.<br />
Are you an energy hog? Energy hogs are those<br />
who use a lot of energy. So everyone is an energy<br />
hog!!!!! But we can make a change!!!!! You<br />
should turn off lights when you are not using<br />
them, don’t watch too much T.V. , change your<br />
lights bulbs to CFLs, and turn off your water<br />
heater when you don’t need it. Did you know your<br />
water heater uses the most energy in your house?<br />
Did you know that there are vampire loads in<br />
your house? Vampire loads are electronics that use<br />
energy even when they are turned off. For example,<br />
your DVD player uses 6 watts when it is off. We<br />
measured the watts by using the KillaWatt meter.<br />
Some cell phone chargers suck energy even when<br />
the phone isn’t plugged in. So that’s why you should<br />
unplug your chargers when you’re done using them,<br />
and put your appliances on an electrical strip with a<br />
switch! Just turn off the switch to turn off lots of<br />
appliances at one time!!!!!<br />
By BreeAnn Cayaban and Aaron Fabiana<br />
Energy Hogs, Vampire Loads<br />
and Reading Meters!!!!!<br />
Turning off appliances will stop hogs and<br />
vampires from using extra energy in your house,<br />
and you can read your electric meter to see how<br />
much electricity you save. Do you know how to<br />
read your electric meter? When you see the four<br />
numbers on the meter, you read from right to left<br />
but write left to right. <strong>The</strong> numbers tell you how<br />
much electricity you are using in your whole<br />
house. <strong>The</strong> far right hand on the meter goes the<br />
fastest, and the far left hand goes the slowest.<br />
Mr. Daniels and Mr. Bueno from KIUC taught us<br />
all this energysaving stuff. <strong>The</strong>y also told us about<br />
the KIUC Residential Energy Wise Programs.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se programs give members on Kaua’i “simple,<br />
nocost or lowcost” ways to save electricity and<br />
save money, too!<br />
So, check out your electrical meter and stop<br />
being an energy hog! If you need help, just call<br />
KIUC. Our choices make a difference, so start<br />
saving energy today!<br />
Claurino Bueno and Paul Daniels show the students how energy is wasted<br />
by inefficient light bulbs that generate heat as well as light.<br />
AUGUST 2010 27
28 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By BreeAnn Cayaban, Kaleo Castanada and Cameron Akana<br />
Voltage, Current, Circuits<br />
and the Energy Ball<br />
It’s not so simple to turn on the lights!!!!!<br />
When we turn on a light switch, electricity from<br />
the power plant travels in a split second to our<br />
houses and the lights come on. But, have you ever<br />
wondered how this process really works? Well, we<br />
have been learning all about this process at KIUC,<br />
and the answer is voltage, current, and circuits.<br />
Voltage is the force that pushes electrons<br />
through conductors. In other words, voltage is the<br />
force that is made by the generators at the power<br />
plant. <strong>The</strong> voltage pushes electrons in wires to a<br />
transformer that increases the voltage so the<br />
electrons can move in the wires and get to our<br />
houses and turn on our lights.<br />
<strong>The</strong> electrons are the actual electricity. When<br />
electrons get pushed by voltage, they move.<br />
Moving electrons are another way to say electrical<br />
current. When current goes through your light<br />
bulb it has to speed up and work harder to get<br />
through. This is because a light bulb is a resistor or<br />
“party pooper.” <strong>The</strong> resistor slows the electron<br />
party down. When the electrons do go through<br />
the bulb, the light shines. <strong>The</strong> electrons give<br />
energy to the light bulb.<br />
<strong>The</strong> flowing electron current needs a path to<br />
travel on. This path is called a circuit. <strong>The</strong> circuit<br />
has to have a power source, a resistor and a<br />
switch. <strong>The</strong> circuit is made of wires that lead the<br />
electrons around. When you turn on your light<br />
switch, you are closing the circuit so that the<br />
electrons can flow. <strong>The</strong>re are two wires in your<br />
switch. One takes the electrons to go to the light<br />
bulb and the other brings the electrons back to<br />
the switch. <strong>The</strong>re are two kinds of circuits that<br />
electrons flow on. One of them is called a series<br />
circuit; it makes the electrons go one way only.<br />
This is like Christmas lights. <strong>The</strong> electrons have to<br />
pass through every light in order, and if one light<br />
goes out, the rest of the string goes out, too. <strong>The</strong><br />
other kind of circuit is called the parallel circuit. In<br />
this kind of circuit, the electrons can take several<br />
different paths once they leave the power source.<br />
When you turn off your light switch, you stop the<br />
circuit or open the circuit. Electrons can’t flow<br />
through an open circuit.<br />
We made our own sample circuit by using an<br />
energy ball. We had to break into two groups.<br />
Each group had an energy ball. We made a closed<br />
circuit by holding each others’ hands. When one<br />
person let go of another person’s hand, the<br />
energy ball wasn’t lighting up or making sounds.<br />
So when one person let go it was like an open<br />
circuit, which means the electrons couldn’t flow.<br />
Our sample circuit also shows us that we are<br />
conductors.<br />
We are really having fun at ZAPS, and we are<br />
learning a lot, too!!!! It’s not so simple to turn on<br />
the lights!!!!!
One of the things we learned at ZAPS is that<br />
renewable energy might one day power our cars.<br />
To get an idea of how this might work, we made<br />
model cars. Some of our cars used energy from<br />
the sun to do work and move, and some of our<br />
cars used hydrogen fuel cells to turn water into<br />
hydrogen gas that made our cars go.<br />
<strong>The</strong> solar car was cute and compact. It was made<br />
of a body, four wheels, a tiny motor and a solar<br />
panel. <strong>The</strong> main component of this car was the<br />
solar panel. This panel is made of a semiconductor<br />
called silicon. <strong>The</strong> silicon in the panel can harness<br />
the amazing light rays of the sun. Basically, this<br />
works when the energy from the sun hits the<br />
silicon in the panel. This blast from the sun causes<br />
an electron to come off the silicon and another<br />
electron quickly moves in to take the place of the<br />
lost electron. This happens over and over again,<br />
causing a chain of moving electrons. <strong>The</strong> moving<br />
electrons are an electrical current.<br />
<strong>The</strong> panel is connected to a mini motor and this<br />
motor has a little white gear on it. <strong>The</strong> moving<br />
electrons make the motor spin the gear.As the white<br />
gear rotates, it also rotates a red gear attached in an<br />
axel (or a small metallic stick) with two wheels on it.<br />
This kind of car is better than gasolinepowered cars<br />
because this car does not pollute the air like burning<br />
fossil fuels does. Plus, fossil fuels are nonrenewable!<br />
Using the sun is a great way to run a car. <strong>The</strong> solar<br />
panel makes electricity to power the motor and<br />
makes the car go.<br />
Another model car we built used hydrogen gas to<br />
power it. This car was so cool. Here is how it works.<br />
First, the fuel cell splits water to separate the<br />
hydrogen and the oxygen that the water contains.<br />
When the hydrogen and water are separated, they<br />
become gases that go down two long tubes that<br />
lead to containers. <strong>The</strong> hydrogen goes on one side<br />
and the oxygen goes on the other. We could tell<br />
when the hydrogen containers were full because<br />
bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen started to rise to<br />
the surface of the water. We also could see the<br />
level of water change in the containers as the gases<br />
By Chris Ishikawa and Emily Sullivan<br />
Renewable Energy Transportation<br />
pushed the water out of the way. When the car was<br />
fully charged, we simply unplugged the solar panel<br />
or batteries that gave the fuel cell energy to make<br />
the split, and we plugged in the motor and let the<br />
car go! This technology is better than burning fossil<br />
fuels because the only byproduct of the hydrogen<br />
car is water that you can use again, and the<br />
byproduct of burning fossil fuels is carbon<br />
dioxide, which goes into the atmosphere and<br />
creates greenhouse gases and has to do with<br />
global warming.<br />
We are looking forward to the future when<br />
our cars are powered by something other than<br />
fossil fuels.<br />
Top: Kamaile and Kaleo work to build their hydrogen car.<br />
Bottom: BreeAnn, Emily, Aaron and Chris work on<br />
their hydrogen car.<br />
AUGUST 2010 29
30 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Jeffrey Peterson<br />
An<br />
Independent<br />
Business<br />
On June 29, KIUC ZAPS went on a field trip to<br />
Mahagony Tree Company to see how the concept<br />
of renewable energy is being implemented in<br />
businesses on Kaua’i. We learned about the many<br />
uses of albizia trees, and we saw a hydroelectric<br />
turbine and generator.<br />
Our tour guide, Mr. Cowern, owns a tree farm.<br />
He grows eucalyptus and albizia trees. Eucalyptus<br />
trees are pretty to look at, strong and they can be<br />
made into furniture and cabinets. Albizia trees are<br />
strong, very light and super fast growing. Mr.<br />
Cowern has thought of many uses for the albizia<br />
tree. Because the tree is strong, Mr. Cowern is<br />
using it for lumber. He even built a small building<br />
for his hydroelectric generator out of albizia. <strong>The</strong><br />
albizia tree also provides lots of nitrogen to the<br />
soil, which helps the eucalyptus trees grow. <strong>The</strong><br />
albizia tree is a fast grower, so it gets very tall very<br />
fast and it shades the forest floor. <strong>The</strong> shade and<br />
nitrogen provided by the trees helps a special<br />
species of grass grow, too. This grass is very<br />
protein rich, so Mr. Cowern is supplying it to local<br />
farmers to feed cattle. <strong>The</strong> final and most<br />
important use for the trees is biomass. Mr.<br />
Cowern is planning on burning the trees to<br />
produce electricity. <strong>The</strong> albizia is an especially<br />
good tree for biomass because it grows back very<br />
fast after it is cut down. This is a great example of<br />
a renewable resource.<br />
Mr. Cowern also owns a hydroelectric plant for<br />
making electricity. When we visited, the water was<br />
not flowing through the hydroelectric plant because<br />
Mr. Cowern was fixing a leaking pipe. So, we got to<br />
go underneath the hydro turbine. It looked like a<br />
bunch of giant metal scoops. <strong>The</strong> scoops catch water<br />
and spin. <strong>The</strong> turbine was attached to a small<br />
generator, so the generator spins, too. <strong>The</strong> electricity<br />
that is created by this system is available for Mr.<br />
Cowern to power his business.<br />
<strong>The</strong> whole point of this is to have a business<br />
that is almost completely independent so it<br />
doesn’t rely on anyone else’s business. You see,<br />
Mr. Cowern, believes that we might be in<br />
economical trouble if we continue to rely on fossil<br />
fuels for everything. So, he is trying to become<br />
independent and he is searching for creative ways<br />
to make energy from renewable sources like<br />
biomass and hydroelectric power.
My name is Emily Sullivan I am part of the 2010<br />
KIUC ZAPS program. This program is all about<br />
energy, how important energy is and how to use<br />
energy efficiently. In fact, without energy I would<br />
not be writing this article because there would be<br />
no electricity to power my computer. Everything<br />
humans do in the world involves the use of<br />
energy. Energy is the ability to do work and make<br />
a change. I have been learning a lot about energy<br />
because ZAPS makes learning fun.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most exciting thing we do in ZAPS is build<br />
things. When I build, I use my brains to problem<br />
solve and my hands to put stuff together. <strong>The</strong>re isn’t<br />
always one way to build the projects and there isn’t<br />
always one correct answer; figuring it out myself<br />
makes building more fun. During the past two<br />
weeks, I have built generators, fruit batteries, solar<br />
cars, hydrogen cars and Lego windmills. It feels so<br />
cool to start with a pile of copper, cardboard, nails<br />
and magnets in front of me and end up with a<br />
generator that makes a light bulb turn on.<br />
Another fun aspect of the ZAPS program is<br />
experiments. Experiments are an awesome way to<br />
learn because I get to prove information to myself<br />
instead of just looking up information on the<br />
internet or in books. <strong>The</strong> experiments are so<br />
memorable! I will always remember mechanical,<br />
chemical and light energy because I experimented<br />
with a glowstick. I cut open the plastic tube and<br />
discovered that there is a tiny glass tube inside.<br />
<strong>The</strong> glass tube contains a chemical, and when I<br />
use mechanical energy to break the glass, the<br />
chemicals mix to make light energy!<br />
1. Buy local organic food because it doesn’t have<br />
to travel to get to us, and because pesticides<br />
are often made from fossil fuels!<br />
2. Turn off lights when you aren’t using them<br />
because it is hard to make electricity and we<br />
don’t want to waste it!<br />
3. Check for vampire appliances that use electricity<br />
even when you aren’t using them because they<br />
will suck your energy and your money, too!<br />
4. Replace appliances that hog too much electricity<br />
because efficient appliances save energy!<br />
5. Ride your bike because gas is expensive and<br />
your car burns fossil fuels!<br />
By Emily Sullivan<br />
KIUC is Making Learning Fun<br />
Just when I thought learning couldn’t get any<br />
funnier, I went on some excursions with ZAPS. I<br />
visited the KIUC Power Plant to see how all this<br />
energy transformation works in real life. I went<br />
into a loud, hot, vibrating room where diesel<br />
engines turn chemical energy into thermal and<br />
mechanical energy. I saw how the Hyatt is using<br />
the sun to make electricity. I even visited a hydro<br />
turbine, and I learned about burning biomass to<br />
make electricity at Green Energy, LLC.<br />
<strong>The</strong> science that I learned was super fun and I<br />
am glad that I did the KIUC ZAPS program. <strong>The</strong><br />
memories and information from this program will<br />
stick with me for a long time. I would recommend<br />
this program to fifth graders going into sixth grade<br />
because it is a fun, exciting way to keep your brain<br />
working during summer vacation.<br />
By Cameron Akana and Sierra Fernandez<br />
ZAPS Top 10 Ways to Save Energy<br />
6. Use solar panels to heat your hot water because<br />
the sun’s energy is free and it doesn’t pollute!<br />
7. Put up a windmill or photovoltaic panels<br />
because renewable energy is the future!<br />
8. RECYCLE!!!!! It takes more energy to create<br />
things from scratch than it does to recycle them!<br />
9. Turn off the air conditioning and open your<br />
windows because you will let fresh air in and<br />
save energy!<br />
10.Replace your light bulbs with CFLs & LEDs<br />
because it is cheap and easy to save lots of<br />
energy!<br />
AUGUST 2010 31
32 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Eryn Yamashiro<br />
Energy Choice Game<br />
Top: Syani shows off the Energy Choices board.<br />
Middle: Connie and Sierra play the Energy Choices game.<br />
Bottom: Tyres shows off his “cash”<br />
We played an energy game. It was about<br />
changing your lifestyle and making choices that<br />
save energy and money. If you run out of money<br />
before the game ends, you lose.<br />
One of the major choices in the game is to ride<br />
your bike or drive your car. You pick a<br />
transportation card from the deck at random. <strong>The</strong><br />
card tells you what kind of car you will drive and<br />
how much gas you need to fill up your tank. If you<br />
drive your car, you have to pay for gas each time you<br />
pass a gas station, and gas cards are expensive! <strong>The</strong><br />
other option is to ride your bike. If you want to ride<br />
your bike, you roll one die instead of two, so you<br />
move around slower, and you don’t have to buy gas!<br />
In the energy choice game, riding a bike was the<br />
best option. Sometimes in real life you have to drive<br />
a car, but a car that uses less gas is a better choice!<br />
<strong>The</strong> other expensive thing in the energy game<br />
are zaps (electricity in real life.) When you start the<br />
game you get pick a system card. This card tells you<br />
all about your house. Some house are big, some<br />
small. Some houses already had solar panels, but<br />
there was a set up price for these houses. When<br />
you pass a red and white striped line on the game<br />
board, you have to pay your electric bill. <strong>The</strong> cost of<br />
the bill depends on how many zaps your house<br />
uses. More zaps means you pay more money. One<br />
player ended up with a $4,800 zaps bill at the end.<br />
That person lost the game!<br />
During the game, you have to pick “choice”<br />
cards and “situation” cards. You have to do what<br />
these cards say. Most of the time you will have a<br />
choice to change something about your house<br />
that might save energy. Like, your water heater<br />
could break and you can buy a new one or put in a<br />
solar heater. <strong>The</strong> solar heater is more expensive,<br />
but it uses less zaps. Fewer zaps is better in the<br />
end for the energy choices game.<br />
It was fun playing the game. We all learned<br />
something about life, too. It is important to make<br />
good energy choices.
Energy does work and makes a change! We are<br />
learning about energy and forms of energy. <strong>The</strong><br />
different forms of energy we learned about are<br />
motion energy, sound energy, electrical energy,<br />
mechanical energy, thermal energy,<br />
electromagnetic/radient energy, and chemical<br />
energy. We also learned that energy is never<br />
created or destroyed, and we did some<br />
experiments to see energy changing forms.<br />
Our favorite energy form is chemical energy Let<br />
us explain why. We did an experiment called Alkarocket.<br />
We filled up a film canister with water half<br />
way up, put an Alka Seltzer tablet in it, then we<br />
put the canister upside down on a cardboard box<br />
with a paper towel under it and after a few<br />
seconds the chemical reaction of the Alka Seltzer<br />
tablet and water made it explode to the ceiling!<br />
We also experimented with a light stick to see<br />
mechanical energy and chemical energy transform<br />
into light energy. We cut the plastic light stick<br />
open at the top and we found liquid and a glass<br />
tube inside. We poured the liquid into a cup and<br />
then we cracked the glass tube, which was filled<br />
with another liquid. We poured the liquid from<br />
the glass tube into the cup, and the liquid in the<br />
cup turned purple and glowed. It was such an<br />
awesome experiment in energy transformation!<br />
Sound energy was our next favorite. We<br />
experimented with Blaster Balls to make sound<br />
energy. <strong>The</strong> Blaster Balls transformed mechanical<br />
energy and chemical energy into thermal energy,<br />
light energy, and sound energy! We had a ball in<br />
each hand and we hit them against each other<br />
By Aaron Fabiana and Eryn Yamashiro<br />
Energy and Energy Forms<br />
like we were trying to light a fire, then it makes a<br />
loud noise like a fire cracker. <strong>The</strong> balls sound just<br />
like fireworks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> singing wine glass experiment was also an<br />
example of sound energy. We filled up the wine<br />
glass with water half way, dipped two fingers in<br />
the water and rubbed our two fingers around the<br />
rim of the glass, putting pressure on the glass,<br />
making a loud sound. When you rub your fingers<br />
on the glass, you are turning mechanical energy<br />
into sound.<br />
We did an experiment call hand warmers to see<br />
mechanical and chemical energy turn into thermal<br />
energy. We started with a packet of liquid with a<br />
piece of metal in it. We bent the metal back and<br />
forth a couple of times and the liquid turned into<br />
a solid right before our eyes. <strong>The</strong> hand warmer<br />
got very hot, too!<br />
<strong>The</strong> last energy experiment was all about<br />
potential and kinetic energy. We used a popper<br />
and a ping pong ball to learn about potential<br />
(stored) energy and kinetic (movement) energy.<br />
We used some mechanical energy to turn the<br />
popper inside out and then we dropped it. <strong>The</strong><br />
elastic and gravitational potential energy sent the<br />
ping pong ball flying up to the ceiling. We did it<br />
several times, but one time Aaron did it and his<br />
went into a hole in the ceiling and the ping pong<br />
ball was gone because there was a big hole in the<br />
ceiling, so the ping pong ball went up there by<br />
accident and got stuck.<br />
Energy does work and makes a change!<br />
BreeAnn, Kaleo, and<br />
Cameron make their<br />
glasses “sing”<br />
AUGUST 2010 33
Snap Circuits<br />
34 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Kamaile Bukoski, Jeffrey Peterson, and Kristine Shitanaka<br />
As Ms. Sullivan says, “What the, what” are Snap<br />
Circuits? We learned snap circuits are a whole<br />
bunch of little pieces used to make electrical<br />
circuits. Some of the most interesting pieces we<br />
used were the motor, the propeller, the speaker,<br />
the music chip, and the whistle chip. We used all<br />
these pieces to make an electrical circuit.<br />
All circuits have a power source (provides<br />
electricity), conductors (wires), and one or more<br />
resistors (something that uses electricity). <strong>The</strong><br />
first snap circuit we built was called Electric Light<br />
and Switch. To make this circuit, we used a battery<br />
as the power source, a light bulb as a resistor, and<br />
a switch to turn the flow of electrons on and off.<br />
This circuit is called a series circuit. This means<br />
electrons don’t have a choice of paths.<br />
2010 ZAPS Participants<br />
Instructor – Traci Sullivan<br />
Instructor – Laulea Smythe<br />
Instructor – Crystal Rivera<br />
Participants:<br />
Teacher Kristine Shitanaka<br />
Teacher Connie Castaneda<br />
1. BreeAnn Cayaban<br />
2. Eryn Yamashiro<br />
3. Syani Aguinaldo<br />
4. Kamaile Bukoski<br />
5. Kaleohano Castaneda<br />
6. Christopher Ishikawa<br />
7. Jeffery Peterson<br />
Another circuit we made was the Water Space<br />
War. This circuit was a parallel circuit. This<br />
means the electrons had a choice of paths. One<br />
path the electrons could choose would lead to a<br />
wire that runs into a cup of water. Since water is<br />
such a good conductor, the electrons would go<br />
into another wire that leads to the space war<br />
chip, which is connected to a speaker which<br />
made the space war sounds. <strong>The</strong> other path<br />
would lead directly to the space war chip<br />
connected to the speaker.<br />
We learned though playing with the snap<br />
circuits. We made series and parallel circuits.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most useful circuit is the parallel circuit<br />
because the electrons can provide more paths to<br />
more places. We are lucky that our houses have<br />
parallel circuits because if they had series circuit,<br />
we would be in trouble.<br />
8. Sierra Fernandez<br />
9. Cameron Akana<br />
10. Tyres Caberto<br />
11. Kupono Pereira<br />
12. Aaron Fabiana<br />
13. Emily Sullivan<br />
14. Koa Cierras
2011 Calendar of Student Art<br />
We are waiting for your entries. KIUC’s 8th Annual Calendar of<br />
Student Art Contest is ready to go. Packets have been sent to<br />
Kaua’i schools, and we’re excited to see the artwork students<br />
will produce this year!<br />
KIUC’s Calendar of Student Art Contest was designed to encourage<br />
and promote young artists on the island; the artwork of Kaua’i students<br />
will be featured in KIUC’s 2011 calendar. Our contest again will celebrate<br />
the arts and showcase each grade level’s student talent. It is our hope<br />
that participation in this contest will play a part in encouraging<br />
a lifelong love of art.<br />
As in previous years, kindergartners will design the cover, first graders<br />
will depict January, second graders are assigned February and so on<br />
through December, with 12th graders.<br />
<strong>The</strong> deadline is Friday, October 15, 2010. All entries must be received<br />
by 4 p.m. at the KIUC offices, located at 4463 Pahe’e Street, Līhu’e.<br />
For more information, please contact Maile Moriguchi at 246.4348,<br />
or via email at mmoriguchi@kiuc.coop<br />
2011 Contest Rules<br />
Who can enter: Any Kaua’i student attending any public or private<br />
school or schooled at home, who is currently in grades kindergarten<br />
through grade 12.<br />
Artwork can be submitted by teachers, students, parents, guardians<br />
or others as a group or class project.<br />
Students may enter as often as they wish.<br />
How the contest works: Match the grade the student is in during the<br />
current (20102011) school year to the corresponding month.<br />
Students should draw or paint a picture to illustrate their assigned<br />
month.<br />
Artwork will be judged on artistic merit, creativity and how well the<br />
assigned month is depicted. Acceptable artwork includes still life,<br />
landscapes, portraits, etc., as long as the monthly theme is somehow<br />
portrayed.<br />
All elements of the artwork (lines, paint, color, shapes, shading,<br />
highlights, etc.) must be the work of the student whose name<br />
appears on the back of the artwork.<br />
No tracing is allowed.<br />
All artwork must be original and not be copied from other<br />
copyrighted sources without substantial creative changes; renderings<br />
or other paintings or published photographs that are deemed to be<br />
too exact to the source will be disqualified.<br />
How to submit the artwork: Drawings should be no larger than 11x14<br />
inches and no smaller than 8x10 inches. (Paintings or canvas can be<br />
larger.) Drawings on white or lightcolored paper will reproduce best.<br />
Do not use ruled paper.<br />
Most any medium is acceptable, as long as the art is relatively flat.<br />
Charcoal and pastel drawings should be sprayed with a fixative. Do<br />
not use glitter, sand, liquids or other elements that can flake off or<br />
otherwise damage the works of other students.<br />
Artwork in the horizontal or landscape position best fits the<br />
calendar’s format.<br />
Do not mount, mat, laminate or frame artwork.<br />
Do not fold or crease artwork.<br />
2010<br />
CALENDAR<br />
OF STUDENT ART<br />
How to identify your artwork: On the back of each entry, in the lower<br />
right hand corner, include: name, age, grade, school, name of parents<br />
or guardians, home address, phone number and email address.<br />
Information on each entry must be legible.<br />
Artwork created digitally on computer may be entered as long as<br />
rules on originality and copyrighted sources are followed. Resolution<br />
must be at least 300 dpi at 8x10 inches. Contact contest officials<br />
listed below for file format requirements and other details for digital<br />
submissions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> name and school of each winning student will be printed in the<br />
calendar along with the student’s photograph. Photos of winning<br />
students will be requested after the winners are announced.<br />
Judging and prizes: A panel of judges will pick winners.<br />
Calendar winners will receive $100.<br />
Additional artworks may be chosen as honorable mentions and<br />
will be printed in a special section of the calendar. Honorable<br />
mentions will receive $50.<br />
An overall “Artist of the Year” will be selected. <strong>The</strong> “Artist of the<br />
Year” will receive $100 and will be featured in KIUC Currents<br />
magazine.<br />
Judges also may select Award of Merit winners, who will receive<br />
certificates.<br />
Some artwork will be selected for our Calendar Art Advertising<br />
Program.<br />
All artwork and reproduction rights become the property of KIUC.<br />
Artwork will not be returned.<br />
Deadline: Friday, October 15, 2010. All entries must be received by<br />
4 p.m. at KIUC offices, located at 4463 Pahe’e Street, Līhu’e.<br />
For more details: Please contact Maile Moriguchi at 246.4348,<br />
or via email at mmoriguchi@kiuc.coop.<br />
1st grade - January 5th grade - May 9th grade - September<br />
2nd grade - February 6th grade - June 10th grade - October<br />
3rd grade - March 7th grade - July 11th grade - November<br />
4th grade - April 8th grade - August 12th grade - December<br />
Kindergarten students will draw the cover art.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no theme for kindergartners; any subject, season, event, etc., is acceptable.<br />
AUGUST 2010 35
36 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Dr. Randall Blake<br />
Safe Routes to School<br />
Unintended Consequences<br />
Many of us remember a time when walking<br />
and bicycling to school was a part of everyday<br />
life. <strong>The</strong>re has been a dramatic drop in the<br />
number of children walking and bicycling to<br />
school in one generation’s time. In 1969, 42<br />
percent of schoolchildren walked and biked to<br />
school. In 2009, national statistics show that only<br />
13 percent of school children walk or bike to<br />
school. This has created unintended<br />
consequences for local schools and children.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a tsunami of overweight pupils arriving<br />
at school. In Hawai’i, 28.4 percent of high school<br />
pupils are either overweight or obese. This leads<br />
to an increase in type two diabetes and kidney<br />
disease in later life. Recent cut backs in school<br />
physical education classes have worsened the<br />
problem of students meeting the daily<br />
requirement for physical activity.<br />
Another problem created is the shift in<br />
transportation modes of getting to classes; most<br />
students arrive by car. A survey done last year at<br />
Kapaa Elementary School revealed that more<br />
than 80 percent percent of students were driven<br />
to school.<br />
Policy StatementRay Lahood,<br />
Secretary of DOTMarch 2010<br />
<strong>The</strong> Department of Transportation policy is to<br />
incorporate safe and convenient walking and<br />
bicycling facilities into transportation projects. Every<br />
transportation agency, including DOT, has the<br />
responsibility to improve conditions and<br />
opportunities for walking and bicycling and to<br />
integrate walking and bicycling into their<br />
transportation systems. Because of the numerous<br />
individual and community benefits that walking and<br />
bicycling provide including health, safety,<br />
environmental, transportation and quality of life<br />
transportation agencies are encouraged to go<br />
beyond minimum standards to provide safe and<br />
convenient facilities for these modes.<br />
Recommended Action:<br />
Ensuring that there are transportation choices for<br />
people of all ages and abilities, especially children.<br />
Pedestrian and bicycle facilities should meet<br />
accessibility requirements and provide safe,<br />
convenient, and interconnected transportation<br />
networks. For example, children should have safe<br />
and convenient options for walking or bicycling to<br />
school and parks. People who cannot or prefer not<br />
to drive should have safe and efficient<br />
transportation choices.<br />
Part of the Solution:<br />
Safe Routes To Schools<br />
Safe Routes To School (SRTS) is a federally<br />
funded program through the Federal Highway<br />
Administration under the U.S. Department of<br />
Transportation. In Hawai’i, it is administered by<br />
the Hawai’i DOT. Hawai’i DOT provides funds by a<br />
grant process for programs and infrastructure<br />
improvements. On Kaua’i, that is done in<br />
conjunction with the County of Kaua’i and the<br />
Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition of Kaua’i<br />
County (NPAC), better known as <strong>Get</strong> Fit Kaua’i, is<br />
taking the program island wide. <strong>The</strong>y started a<br />
pilot program at Kapaa Elementary School that<br />
featured a “walking school bus” on National Walk<br />
and Bike to School Day in May. A walking school<br />
bus is a group of students lead by volunteers to<br />
assist walking the children to school safely. This<br />
helped to accomplish the goal of kids receiving<br />
the physical activity they need which helps<br />
promote better learning once at school. Studies<br />
have shown that even a small amount of exercise<br />
improves academic performance.
<strong>Get</strong> Fit Kaua’i and its partners are planning to<br />
expand the program island wide. This will be done<br />
by working with local school principals, teachers and<br />
the PTSA. <strong>The</strong> five E’s are done at each school to<br />
customize the program to the local school’s needs.<br />
Evaluation which assesses how the students<br />
arrive (car, bus or walk/bike) and how far from<br />
school the pupils live. It includes a survey of<br />
parental concerns and fears, and seeks out local<br />
neighborhood problems and barriers, and the<br />
educational component instructs educators and<br />
parents on the current problems and issues, such as<br />
those listed above. Students are taught safety skills<br />
in walking and biking to school in the local<br />
neighborhood traffic conditions.<br />
Enforcement is provided by the Kaua’i Police<br />
Department, which endorses this program and aids<br />
in traffic safety education for the public.<br />
Encouragement is accomplished by school<br />
programs and prizes for students, teachers<br />
and parents.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final piece is the engineering of the<br />
infrastructure improvements: sidewalks and roads.<br />
This is done with cooperation from the County of<br />
Kaua’i Public Works Department.<br />
Funding Questions<br />
Funding for the SRTS program is available by<br />
grant submission to the Hawai’i Department of<br />
Transportation. In 2009 there was one million<br />
dollars available for grant funding in Hawai’i alone.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are basically two types of grants that can be<br />
used to help fund the local school projects. <strong>The</strong> first<br />
is a non infrastructure grant, which can help fund<br />
informational meetings and educational sessions for<br />
parents, students, teachers, school administrators<br />
and PTSA. <strong>The</strong> second is an infrastructure grant that<br />
provides improvements to make the routes to<br />
schools safer. This can range from restriping<br />
crosswalks, upgrading or placing warning signs or<br />
flashing signage to major projects like the addition<br />
of sidewalks, trails and pathways, or redesigning of a<br />
dangerous intersection.<br />
<strong>Get</strong> Fit Kaua’i’s goal for Kaua’i’s Safe Routes to<br />
School Program include:<br />
◼ Increased bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic safety<br />
for everyone<br />
◼ More children walking and bicycling to and<br />
from schools<br />
◼ Decreased traffic congestion<br />
◼ Improved childhood health<br />
◼ Reduced childhood obesity<br />
◼ Encouragement of healthy and active lifestyles<br />
◼ Improved community safety<br />
◼ Reduced fuel consumption<br />
◼ Increased community involvement<br />
◼ Improvements to the physical built<br />
environment that increase the ability to walk<br />
and bicycle to and from schools<br />
<strong>Get</strong> Involved<br />
Kaua’i’s Safe Routes to School movement offers<br />
many ways for individuals, organizations, public<br />
agencies, schools, and companies to get involved<br />
and make a difference at the local level.<br />
<strong>The</strong> SRTS program isn’t just for parents, teachers<br />
and students. All community members—from health<br />
organizations and bicycle and pedestrian advocates<br />
to local police officers and business owners—can<br />
contribute to the success of the program.<br />
Please contact Randy Blake at oneislandguy@<br />
mac.com or Bev Brody at 808.212.4765 for more<br />
information on how you can become involved!<br />
AUGUST 2010 37
38 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Photos By Anne Barnes<br />
1<br />
Cold Foods<br />
for Hot Day<br />
1. Coconut Creme<br />
Brulee<br />
1 cup lightly toasted baker’s shredded coconut<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
7 large egg yolks<br />
2 half pint cartons heavy whipping cream<br />
1 can unsweetened coconut milk ( 14 ounces)<br />
2 tablespoon coconut rum<br />
1/2 tablespoon salt<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together egg<br />
yolks and sugar in a large bowl. Heat the cream,<br />
coconut milk, and coconut flakes in a saucepan<br />
just to simmering. Add cream and milk mixture by<br />
the ladle full to egg yolk mixture, whisking<br />
constantly. Add salt and rum. Ladle into 8<br />
heatproof custard cups. Place on a rimmed baking<br />
sheet. Add boiling water to baking sheet, halfway<br />
up custard cups. Bake 45 minutes. Custards should<br />
be softly set. Cool and then cover each custard<br />
cup with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until serving<br />
time.<br />
Preheat broiler. Place custard cups back on a<br />
baking sheet. Put 1/2 rounded teaspoon of sugar<br />
on top of each, smoothing with back of spoon.<br />
Place sheet of custards under broiler and watch<br />
constantly as sugar melts and browns. Remove<br />
and cool slightly before serving. Makes 8 servings.<br />
2<br />
2. Tzaziki<br />
Chop in food processor:<br />
1/2 cucumber peeled<br />
3 cloves garlic<br />
Add to 1 small container of Greek yogurt (if not<br />
available, sour cream is a good substitute)<br />
Juice from 1/2 lemon<br />
Salt and pepper to taste.<br />
Garnish with crumbled feta and chill. Serve with<br />
bread and sliced feta cheese and pepperocini.<br />
Tzaziki also can be served as a sauce for lamb or<br />
any grilled meat or vegetable.<br />
3. Grilled Chicken <strong>With</strong><br />
Peanut Sauce<br />
To make sauce, combine 2 tablespoons rice<br />
wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2<br />
tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons tahini or<br />
peanut butter, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 cloves<br />
garlic, 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger, and 1<br />
tablespoon water in a blender or food processor;<br />
puree until combined. Grill chicken and slice for<br />
bitesize portions.
4<br />
4. Limeaid<br />
1 to 1 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice<br />
5 cups cold water<br />
2 tablespoons Honey<br />
46 mint leaves<br />
2/3 cup white sugar<br />
Make a simple syrup with sugar and 1 cup of the<br />
water (In a medium saucepan combine sugar and<br />
water. Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has<br />
dissolved.) Allow to cool. Add honey.<br />
Steep 4 cups of water with 46 mint leaves – cool.<br />
Add sugar mixture to cooled mint water.<br />
Combine with lime juice. Chill. Serve over ice in<br />
tall glasses; garnish with lime slice<br />
3<br />
5. Horiatiki Salad<br />
Put all of the ingredients below in a<br />
big salad bowl:<br />
4 to 5 large ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded and<br />
cut into chunks<br />
1 large red onion, sliced thin<br />
1 to 2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced<br />
1 bell pepper (any color)<br />
1/4 pound feta cheese, sliced or crumbled<br />
Dried Oregano<br />
1 dozen Kalamata olives (pitted)<br />
6 pepperoncini hot peppers on the side<br />
Pour this mixture over the prepared salad:<br />
2 tablespoons top quality extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt<br />
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar<br />
1 teaspoon dried oregano<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
Serve as a side to lamb or grilled fish, or as a meal<br />
with crusty bread and Tzaziki.<br />
5<br />
AUGUST 2010 39
40 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Steve Rymsha<br />
Renewable Outlook<br />
KIUC’s update on projects in<br />
progress and completed<br />
KIUC believes the climate change problem and<br />
its feared effects are among the most serious of<br />
the environmental issues we face today. As we<br />
transition away from fossil fuels, members also<br />
benefit from less volatility in world oil supplies<br />
and price.<br />
To that end, the board and management of<br />
the coop have updated KIUC’s Strategic Plan to<br />
achieve a high standard of sustainability with<br />
regard to power supply, and providing fair and<br />
competitively valued rates. What follows is a<br />
concise recap of actions taken, and projects in<br />
progress and completed.<br />
We currently are operating at more than 13<br />
percent renewable, but in the next few years are<br />
taking action to surpass state and federal<br />
requirements to reduce greenhouse gases.<br />
KIUC’s 2009 renewable portfolio standard (RPS)<br />
is 14 percent.<br />
Hydroelectric generation was lower compared<br />
to 2008, but reduced electricity sales increased<br />
the RPS percentage.<br />
Green Energy Hydro LLC – 130 kW<br />
◼ 170 homes annually<br />
◼ Began operations in Q3 2009<br />
Port Allen Warehouse<br />
◼ Building integrated photovoltaic systems;<br />
completed the first week of February<br />
◼ Replaced roof and installed 68 kW roofintegrated<br />
photovoltaic system—20 homes<br />
annually<br />
PoleMount PV – full potential 1 MW<br />
◼ Two demonstration systems installed in January.<br />
◼ Working with technology provider to<br />
determine the most costeffective way to roll<br />
out the technology<br />
GroundMount PV<br />
◼ In negotiations for 5MW’s to be installed<br />
prior to 2012<br />
◼ 400 to 1,000 homes annually<br />
◼ Projects pending on private lands on<br />
east and south shores<br />
◼ Plan to release RFI for battery<br />
energy storage<br />
Biomass<br />
◼ Green Energy Hawai’i continues to work<br />
toward development<br />
of the 6.4 MW biomass facility and plans<br />
to be operational in 2012<br />
◼ PacWest—if land can be secured for the<br />
project, contract negotiations will begin again.<br />
Concentrating Solar <strong>The</strong>rmal<br />
◼ Contract under negotiations; project size<br />
would likely increase in size to 15 MW in an<br />
effort to reduce the cost of energy over the<br />
20year life of the contract.
<strong>The</strong>re may be kilowatts in your backyard or on your roof—sunlight and wind energy just waiting to be<br />
harvested. <strong>The</strong> first step in harvesting those kilowatts is learning what potential for solar or wind power<br />
really exists there. KIUC has partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to help update<br />
their web tool, In My Backyard (IMBY), so coop members can find out for themselves if a personal solar<br />
photovoltaic or wind generation project has opportunity for them.<br />
<strong>The</strong> IMBY web tool estimates the electricity you can produce with a solar photovoltaic array or wind<br />
turbine at your home or business. Homeowners, businesses, and researchers use IMBY to develop quick<br />
estimates of renewable energy production at locations throughout Kaua’i.<br />
IMBY uses a mapbased interface to allow you to choose the exact location of your PV array or wind<br />
turbine. Based on your location, system size, and other variables, IMBY estimates the electricity<br />
production you can expect from your system.<br />
Figure 1. Drawing your photovoltaic array on a map of your building.<br />
By Anne Barnes<br />
KIUC IN THE COMMUNITY<br />
In My Backyard (IMBY)<br />
AUGUST 2010 41
42 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
After entering your address or clicking on the map to your location, you draw the solar array on the<br />
screen. <strong>The</strong> satellite maps will actually show your house or building. <strong>The</strong>n you get a chance to make<br />
adjustments for size, direction and tilt of your project.<br />
<strong>The</strong> website calculates the approximate cost for your project, how much electricity you may generate,<br />
and how long it will take for the project to pay for itself.<br />
Figure 2. IMBY estimates how much electricity your project may generate.<br />
<strong>The</strong> website can even estimate your before and after utility bill.<br />
Figure 3. IMBY estimate for your utility bill.
As with any estimate, the results are only as good as the data you supply. IMBY gives you the ability to<br />
change the financial values for system price, tax credits, utility rates and the engineering values for<br />
derating—the factor your system might actually provide on your roof considering shade and<br />
other local conditions.<br />
IMBY is an educational tool and may provide a good guess about the kilowatts waiting to be harvested<br />
on your roof. But please remember to consult tax professionals for advice about federal and state tax<br />
credits for your renewable project, and consult with a reputable solar installer for an estimate of cost<br />
and benefits of a project in your own back yard.<br />
Clean Energy Initiatives at KIUC<br />
KIUC and clean energy company Petra Solar teamed up to launch the first utility polemounted solar<br />
photovoltaic (PV) system in Hawai’i. Two of Petra Solar’s SunWave TM intelligent PV solar systems were<br />
installed on KIUC utility poles along Ahukini Road in January. “Through projects like this, KIUC continues<br />
to investigate and evaluate various alternative power sources that can help us continue to deliver<br />
reliable, affordable and clean electricity to our members,” said KIUC Senior Energy Solutions Engineer<br />
Steve Rymsha.<br />
This demonstration project is expected to enhance future smart grid capabilities and reliability of the<br />
electric distribution grid. <strong>The</strong> polemounted solar PV system is one of several clean energy initiatives<br />
being undertaken by KIUC.<br />
Construction was completed in February on the 68kilowatt project at Port Allen. Beachside Solar<br />
Technologies (Beachside Roofing) installed the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system. 78<br />
individual solarintegrated BIPV modules were mounted on the warehouse roof and 18 Solatube 21inch<br />
tubular daylights, were installed to increase natural lighting during the day. Transmission and<br />
distribution crews already upgraded the singlephase line so the warehouse can export power onto the<br />
grid whenever there is surplus power.<br />
Schedule Q Modified Tariff<br />
◼ Tariff allows members to sell excess at KIUC’s<br />
cost of production (avoided cost).<br />
◼ Photovoltaic, wind, hydro, biomass, hybrid<br />
systems, or nonrenewable generator utilizing<br />
waste heat<br />
◼ 100 kW or less<br />
◼ 267 membersited renewable generation<br />
systems installed with a total capacity of<br />
3,667 kWdc<br />
Photovoltaic Density on Kaua’i<br />
KIUC named one of nation’s most solar<br />
integrated utilities<br />
◼ Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) 2009<br />
◼ Ranked #2 for cumulative watts/customer<br />
◼ Ranked #4 for watts/customer installed<br />
in 2009<br />
◼ SEPA 2008<br />
◼ Ranked #4 for cumulative watts/customer<br />
◼ Ranked #2 for watts/customer installed<br />
in 2008<br />
AUGUST 2010 43
44 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Sign Up for<br />
County’s Connect CTY<br />
CTY is a telephone/email/text notification system that will alert you<br />
of an emergency in a manner that is convenient for you. Just go to the<br />
County’s website (www.kauai.gov) and click on the orange button that says<br />
“Sign Up Now.” Or call the Civil Defense Agency at 241.1800<br />
and they will be happy to assist you in signing up.
Kaua’i residents are generally familiar with our<br />
unique native species, which include the Newell’s<br />
Shearwater and the less common Hawaiian Petrel<br />
and the Bandrumped Storm Petrel. Although<br />
these birds spend most of their lives at sea, they<br />
return to Kaua’i’s steep sloped interior to breed<br />
in the spring and summer.<br />
Each fall, that year’s fledgling birds make their<br />
maiden flight to sea, and will not return until they<br />
approach breeding age several years later. A<br />
fledgling’s initial flight to sea can be perilous. For<br />
example, they are so attracted to bright lights<br />
they often fly in circles around them until they are<br />
exhausted and land or, in some cases, collide with<br />
obstacles like buildings and other structures. Once<br />
grounded, these seabirds have extreme difficulty<br />
regaining flight from flat ground. Hence, without<br />
rescue, they are nearly certain to die due to attack<br />
by predators (such as dogs and cats), being run<br />
over by cars, or from dehydration or starvation.<br />
Each fall the call goes out to Kaua’i residents to<br />
watch for and retrieve downed seabirds, which<br />
are then collected by the Save Our Shearwaters<br />
(SOS) program. Following a prompt evaluation,<br />
and in some cases some care and feeding, nearly<br />
all seabirds handled by SOS are released back to<br />
the wild—more than 30,000 seabirds so far.<br />
Notwithstanding these efforts, the populations<br />
of these seabirds appear to be steadily declining.<br />
Scientists believe the greatest threats to these<br />
species are loss of suitable breeding habitat, and<br />
predation by alien predators such as rats and cats<br />
in the breeding colonies that remain. But<br />
mankind’s lights and structures also can have an<br />
adverse effect.<br />
By Anne Barnes<br />
A Continuing Partnership<br />
KIUC and the Kaua’i Humane Society prepare<br />
for the 2010 Shearwater season<br />
AUGUST 2010 45
46 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Reducing Light Attraction<br />
By eliminating stray light through its lamp<br />
replacement program completed in 2004, KIUC<br />
has reduced the number of young birds that get<br />
confused and fall rather than continue out to sea.<br />
You can help reduce light attraction by:<br />
◼ Turning off unnecessary outdoor lights.<br />
◼ Replacing fixtures that scatter light in all<br />
directions—such as globe and carriage<br />
lights—with directional fixtures that point<br />
down and away from the beach.<br />
◼ Shielding the light source. Materials such as<br />
aluminum flashing can be used to direct light<br />
where it is needed and keep it off the beach.<br />
◼ Replacing white incandescent, fluorescent<br />
and highintensity lighting with a 40watt or<br />
less yellow bug light.<br />
◼ If you have large windows, draw drapes at<br />
night to keep interior lights from attracting<br />
the birds.<br />
◼ If you live near a county ballpark, check your<br />
neighborhood for grounded seabirds. If the<br />
park is not in use, but the lights are still on,<br />
turn off the lights.<br />
When Rescuing a Seabird<br />
is Necessary<br />
To prepare for seabird recovery, please follow<br />
these recommendations:<br />
◼ Keep an old towel and a ventilated cardboard<br />
box, pet carrier or other nonairtight<br />
container in your car. If you are on foot, just<br />
the towel will do.<br />
In 2009, Angie Merritt took the reins of the<br />
Save Our Shearwaters program, and will<br />
continue her work as the SOS coordinator at<br />
the Kaua’i Humane Society for the 2010<br />
season. For more information on the<br />
program, please contact her at 632.0610.<br />
<strong>The</strong> SOS season begins in midSeptember,<br />
when the first seabird fledglings begin to<br />
emerge from their nests. <strong>The</strong> Newell’s<br />
shearwater is the most commonly found<br />
grounded seabird during this period. <strong>The</strong><br />
species can be easily distinguished by its<br />
“formal wear” of black and white plumage,<br />
dark bill and pink legs with black toes.<br />
◼ If you find a downed bird, gently pick it up<br />
from behind with the towel, carefully<br />
wrapping the material completely around its<br />
back and wings. Place it in a container as soon<br />
as possible. Be aware of the shearwaters’<br />
long, pointed bill. Don’t be worried too much<br />
because the birds are usually docile, but<br />
wrapping the bird in a towel will protect you<br />
and the bird.<br />
◼ Keep the bird covered and in a quiet, shaded<br />
location. Do not feed, water or handle it.<br />
◼ Take the recovered bird to the nearest<br />
shearwater aid station right away (see the page<br />
at right to locate the aid station nearest you).<br />
◼ Do not attempt to release the bird yourself. It<br />
may have internal injuries or be too tired or<br />
weak to survive. Throwing the bird into the air<br />
could cause more injury. Let the trained Save<br />
SOS program staff examine the bird and decide<br />
when, where and how to let it go.<br />
◼ On the board provided at the aid station, write<br />
information about where you found the bird.<br />
<strong>The</strong> best information would be a street address<br />
or street intersection, the number of a nearby<br />
utility pole or highway mile marker. If you are in<br />
a hurry, you can leave your telephone number<br />
so staff can call you to get additional<br />
information about the bird you found.
<strong>The</strong> Power<br />
to Partner<br />
If you find a downed bird...<br />
1. Pick up the bird as soon as possible. Use a towel to gently wrap the bird. Don’t be alarmed by the<br />
long pointed bill. Shearwaters are usually docile and easy to handle.<br />
2. Do NOT try to release the bird into the air. Take the bird to the nearest shearwater aid station. SOS aid<br />
station locations are listed below.<br />
3. If you must keep the bird overnight, keep it in a ventilated cardboard box with a secure lid.<br />
SOS Aid Station Locations<br />
West South<br />
Waimea Fire Station Kōloa Fire Station<br />
Hanapēpē Fire Station<br />
Kalaheo Fire Station<br />
Port Allen Chevron<br />
PMRF<br />
CentralEast North<br />
Līhu’e Fire Station Kilauea Medical Group<br />
Kapa’a Fire Station Hanalei Fire Station<br />
Matson Nawiliwili Hanalei Liquor Store<br />
Kaua’i Humane Society<br />
AUGUST 2010 47
KIUC Charitable Foundation<br />
Releases $5,000 to KEO<br />
48 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
In July, the KIUC Charitable Foundation released<br />
an additional $5,000 to Kaua’i Economic<br />
Opportunity (KEO) to help qualified lowincome<br />
electricity users with their electric bills.<br />
“In September 2008, the KIUC Charitable<br />
Foundation released $50,000 to help those who<br />
need assistance with their electricity bills,” said<br />
KIUC Charitable Foundation President Allan Smith.<br />
“We are hoping that these additional funds will<br />
continue to help those in need.”<br />
Interested Kaua’i residents should call KEO at<br />
808.245.4077 extension 240 to see if they qualify<br />
or to apply.<br />
In 2005 Governor Linda Lingle signed legislation<br />
enabling KIUC to keep and use for charitable<br />
purposes unclaimed refunds that would have<br />
previously been turned over to the state for its<br />
use. None of these funds come from KIUC assets.<br />
kiuc charitable foundation<br />
<strong>The</strong> KIUC Charitable Foundation is governed by<br />
nine directors, comprised of three KIUC directors,<br />
three KIUC employees and three KIUC members.<br />
KIUC Charitable Foundation<br />
Scholarship Update<br />
<strong>The</strong> KIUC Charitable Foundation allocated three<br />
$1,000 liberal arts scholarships for the 20102011<br />
academic year at Kaua’i Community College (KCC).<br />
For eligibility requirements and more information<br />
go to the KCC Scholarship Homepage at<br />
https://www.kauaicc.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com.<br />
KIUC Charitable Foundation board member Steve M. Rapozo and KIUC Charitable Foundation Treasurer Carol Bain present<br />
KEO Administrative Officer Lynn Kua (middle) with a check for $5,000 to assist qualified lowincome electricity users with<br />
their electric bills.
County of Kaua‘i<br />
HI-5 Parks<br />
Recycling Bins<br />
Recycle:<br />
HI-5 Glass HI-5 Plastic HI-5 Aluminum<br />
Please do not place non-HI5 recyclables or trash into the<br />
recycling bins<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission (PUC)<br />
authorized Kaua’i <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative’s<br />
(KIUC) new interim rates on May 26, 2010.<br />
In its interim rate decision issued on April 29,<br />
2010, the PUC granted, in large part, the increase<br />
agreed to by the parties to the rate case<br />
proceeding (KIUC, the State Division of Consumer<br />
Advocacy, the Department of Navy and Kaua’i<br />
Marriott), as stipulated to in the PUC filing made<br />
on April 8, 2010.<br />
As a result of a few adjustments required by the<br />
PUC in said interim rate decision, KIUC prepared<br />
and filed revised rate tariff sheets to reflect these<br />
adjustments as part of KIUC’s new interim rates.<br />
Earn Extra Cash<br />
Residents, visitors, clubs, and sporting groups are welcome to<br />
remove HI-5 items from the recycling bins and redeem them for<br />
cash at redemption centers located throughout the island. Call<br />
or visit the County website for redemption center information.<br />
Program funded by the State Department of Health<br />
For more information, call 241-5112 or visit www.kauai.gov/HI5<br />
Have you heard?<br />
<strong>The</strong> County of Kaua’i<br />
has placed blue<br />
HI-5 recycling bins<br />
in County Parks.<br />
REGULATORY<br />
New Interim Rates<br />
Tariff Rule No. 9 Notice<br />
<strong>The</strong> overall interim revenue increase will impact<br />
each rate class differently, depending on the cost<br />
of serving that rate class, with KIUC projected to<br />
receive approximately 2.0 percent above<br />
projected overall revenues for 2010 under current<br />
rates. KIUC will receive a projected 4.6 percent<br />
increase in additional revenues from the<br />
residential class, as compared to the rates<br />
currently in place. For an average residential<br />
customer using 500 kWh per month, this will<br />
result in an approximate $8 increase in the<br />
member’s monthly bill.<br />
<strong>The</strong> PUC will continue to review details of<br />
KIUC’s rate increase request, and later will issue a<br />
final decision, which may or may not result in<br />
further adjustments in the new interim rates.<br />
If you have any questions or need additional<br />
information relating to the above, please call<br />
808.246.4300.<br />
AUGUST 2010 49
50 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Kathy Williams<br />
Tariff Rule #10<br />
Rates and Optional Rates<br />
PURSUANT TO KIUC’S TARIFF RULE NO. 10, SECTION E.3, WHICH STATES<br />
IN RELEVANT PART:<br />
E.3. <strong>With</strong>in 60 days after commencement of Company’s service, the Company shall provide the<br />
customer with a brief explanation of the existing rate schedule and billing practice, including<br />
termination of service procedures and policy:<br />
a. <strong>The</strong> explanation may be in the form of a brochure or written material sent to the customer;<br />
In addition to the $20 service connection fee charged, you have been placed under one of the<br />
following briefly described rate schedules applicable to your class of service (for complete schedules you<br />
may view KIUC’s Tariff located at www.kiuc.coop or come in to the Lihue office):<br />
Residential Service<br />
SCHEDULE “D”<br />
Applicable to singlephase residential service in singlefamily dwellings metered and billed separately by<br />
the Company. This schedule does not apply where residence and business are combined.<br />
Rate:<br />
Customer Charge: (Per Customer per month) $10.58<br />
Energy Charge:<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment Clause<br />
(ERAC):<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge) All kWh<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge) All kWh<br />
$0.34743 per kWh<br />
See explanation at the bottom<br />
of the schedules<br />
<strong>The</strong> minimum monthly charge shall be (Per customer, per month) $13.50.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resource Cost Adjustment (DSM & IRP) Surcharge shall be added to the Customer and Energy<br />
Charges, and energy cost adjustment.
Small Commercial<br />
SCHEDULE “G”<br />
Applicable to all consumers whose maximum demand is not greater than 30 kW for any 15 consecutive<br />
minutes during a month, or whose energy consumption is less than 10,000 kWh in any month and who<br />
do not qualify under Schedule “D.”<br />
Rate:<br />
Customer Charge: (Per Customer per month) $23.82<br />
Energy Charge:<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment<br />
Clause (ERAC):<br />
<strong>The</strong> minimum monthly charge shall be (Per customer, per month) $26.45.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resource Cost Adjustment (DSM & IRP) Surcharge shall be added to the Customer and Energy<br />
Charges, and energy cost adjustment.<br />
Large Commercial<br />
SCHEDULE “J”<br />
Applicable when the customer’s energy consumption exceeds 10,000 kWh in any month or the<br />
customer’s load exceeds 30 kW during any consecutive 15minute period in any month, and to all<br />
consumers whose maximum demand is not greater than 100 kW for any 15 consecutive minutes during<br />
a month, and who do not qualify under Schedule “D.”<br />
Rate:<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge) All kWh<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge) All kWh<br />
Customer Charge: (Per Customer per month) $39.69<br />
Demand Charge:<br />
Energy Charge:<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment<br />
Clause (ERAC):<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge)<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge) All kWh<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge) All kWh<br />
$0.35769 per kWh<br />
See explanation at the<br />
bottom of the schedules<br />
$6.62 per month per kW of<br />
monthly demand<br />
$0.32390 per kWh<br />
See explanation at the<br />
bottom of the schedules<br />
<strong>The</strong> minimum charge shall be the sum of the Customer Charge and the Demand Charge, but not less<br />
than $198.42 per month.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resource Cost Adjustment (DSM & IRP) Surcharge shall be added to the Customer and Energy<br />
Charges, and energy cost adjustment.<br />
AUGUST 2010 51
52 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
Large Power Primary Service<br />
(metered on the primary side of customerowned transformers)<br />
SCHEDULE “L”<br />
Applicable to all power users with metered loads in excess of 100 kW during any consecutive<br />
15minute period in any month. Such customers must sign a contract for service for a minimum period<br />
of twelve (12) months except for temporary services.<br />
Rate:<br />
Customer Charge: (Per Customer per month) $355.08<br />
Demand Charge:<br />
Energy Charge:<br />
<strong>The</strong> minimum charge shall be the sum of the Customer Charge and the Demand Charge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resource Cost Adjustment (DSM & IRP) Surcharge shall be added to the Customer and Energy<br />
Charges, and energy cost adjustment.<br />
Large Power Secondary Service<br />
(metered on the secondary side of KIUCowned transformers)<br />
SCHEDULE “P”<br />
Available to all power users with metered loads in excess of 100 kW during any consecutive<br />
15minute period in any month. Such customers must sign a contract for service for a minimum period<br />
of twelve (12) months except for temporary services.<br />
Rate:<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge)<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge and Demand Charge)<br />
$13.94 per kW of monthly<br />
demand<br />
First 400 kWh per kW demand $0.30416 per kWh<br />
All Over 400 kWh per kW demand $0.28141 per kWh<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment<br />
Clause (ERAC):<br />
All kWh<br />
Customer Charge: (Per Customer per month) $369.38<br />
Demand Charge:<br />
Energy Charge:<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge)<br />
(To be added to Customer<br />
Charge and Demand Charge)<br />
See explanation at the<br />
bottom of the schedules<br />
$11.14 per kW of monthly<br />
demand<br />
First 400 kWh per kW demand $0.31379 per kWh<br />
All Over 400 kWh per kW demand $0.28977 per kWh<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment<br />
Clause (ERAC):<br />
All kWh<br />
See explanation at the<br />
bottom of the schedules<br />
<strong>The</strong> minimum charge shall be the sum of the Customer Charge and the Demand Charge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resource Cost Adjustment (DSM & IRP) Surcharge shall be added to the Customer and Energy<br />
Charges, and energy cost adjustment.
Street Lighting<br />
SCHEDULE “SL”<br />
Applicable to public street and highway lighting service. Available in general, where the Company owns,<br />
maintains and operates the street lighting facilities and has already installed primary distribution<br />
circuits. Service supplied under this rate is subject to the rules of the Company.<br />
Rate:<br />
1. Fixture Charge:<br />
a. Monthly charge for standard incandescent fixtures with not in excess of 4,000 lumen lamps $3.63<br />
per fixture, per month.<br />
b. Monthly charge for standard mercury vapor fixture with not in excess of 21,000 lumen lamps<br />
$6.25 per fixture, per month.<br />
c. Monthly charge for standard high pressure sodium vapor fixtures:<br />
100 watt $6.25 per fixture, per month<br />
150 watt $6.25 per fixture, per month<br />
200 watt $6.47 per fixture, per month<br />
250 watt $6.47 per fixture, per month<br />
400 watt $6.75 per fixture, per month<br />
2. Energy Charge:<br />
(To be added to Customer Charge)<br />
All kWh<br />
$0.41530 per kWh<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment Clause (ERAC)<br />
(To be added to Customer Charge)<br />
All kWh<br />
See explanation at<br />
the bottom of<br />
the schedules<br />
Minimum Charge will be the above Fixture Charge per fixture connected to the circuit.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resource Cost Adjustment (DSM & IRP) Surcharge shall be added to the Customer and Energy<br />
Charges, and energy cost adjustment.<br />
If the Company is asked to remove or relocate facilities within 60 months after installation, the customer<br />
shall make a contribution in the amount of the estimated net removal or relocation cost.<br />
Energy Rate Adjustment Clause (ERAC)<br />
<strong>The</strong> ERAC adjustment on your bill captures the fuel and purchase power costs that are not already<br />
included in KIUC’s fixed energy charges.<br />
Billing Terms<br />
Bills are due and payable upon receipt. Bills become past due if unpaid within 25 days of the bill date.<br />
When bills are not paid by the due date, electric service may be limited or disconnected. KIUC will<br />
require payment of all past due amount(s), reconnect fee(s), and possible credit deposit before full<br />
service is restored.<br />
Disconnecting Service<br />
Please contact Member Services not less than two (2) working days prior to closing your account or<br />
disconnecting service.<br />
AUGUST 2010 53
Statement<br />
of Operations<br />
For the period 01/01/2010 – 05/31/2010<br />
54 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
By Karissa Jonas, Controller<br />
We report that the KIUC results of operations<br />
through May 31, 2010, are improving as the<br />
weak economy begins to show signs of recovery.<br />
Electricity usage on the island has increased<br />
slightly over the prior year. However, it is still at<br />
a significantly decreased level, primarily due to<br />
the reduction in visitors to the island. KIUC is<br />
doing everything it can, while maintaining safety<br />
and reliability, to reduce costs in various areas<br />
in order to continue to meet its loan covenants.<br />
Revenues, expenses and net margins totaled<br />
$61.6 million, $58.8 million and $2.8 million,<br />
respectively, for the fivemonth period ending<br />
May 31, 2010.<br />
As is the case for all electric utilities, the cost<br />
of power generation is the largest expense,<br />
totaling $35 million or 56.9% of revenues. Fuel<br />
costs are the largest component of power<br />
generation, totaling $29 million or 47.1 percent<br />
of revenues, and representing 82.9 percent of<br />
the cost of power generation. <strong>The</strong> remaining $6<br />
million or 9.7 percent of revenues and 17.1<br />
percent of the cost of power generation,<br />
represents the cost of operating and<br />
maintaining the generating units.<br />
Percentage of Total Revenue<br />
Taxes<br />
8.4%<br />
Depreciation &<br />
Amortization<br />
11.1%<br />
Administrative &<br />
General<br />
Net of Non-Operating<br />
Margins<br />
6.2%<br />
Marketing &<br />
Communications<br />
0.5%<br />
Interest<br />
6.1%<br />
Member Services<br />
2.4%<br />
Net Margins<br />
4.5%<br />
Fuel & Purchased<br />
Power Costs<br />
47.1%<br />
Production Operation &<br />
Maintenance<br />
9.7%<br />
Transmission & Distribution<br />
Operation & Maintenance<br />
3.8%<br />
<strong>The</strong> cost of operating and maintaining the<br />
electric lines totaled $2.3 million or 3.8 percent<br />
of total revenues. <strong>The</strong> cost of servicing our<br />
members totaled $1.5 million or 2.4 percent of<br />
revenues. <strong>The</strong> cost of keeping our members<br />
informed totaled $0.3 million or 0.5 percent of<br />
revenues. Administrative and general costs—<br />
which include legislative and regulatory<br />
expenses, engineering, executive, human<br />
resources, safety and facilities, information<br />
services, financial and corporate services, and<br />
board of director expenses—totaled $4 million<br />
or 6.5 percent of revenues.<br />
Being very capital intensive, depreciation and<br />
amortization of the utility plant costs $6.8 million<br />
or 11.1 percent of revenues. Although not subject<br />
to federal income taxes, state and local taxes<br />
amounted to $5.2 million or 8.4 percent of<br />
revenues. Interest on longterm debt, at a very<br />
favorable sub5 percent interest rate, totals $3.8<br />
million or 6.1 percent of revenues. Nonoperating<br />
net margins added $0.2 million to overall net<br />
margins. Revenues less total expenses equal<br />
margins of $2.8 million or 4.5 percent of<br />
revenues. Margins are allocated to consumer<br />
members and paid when appropriate.
Parting Shot<br />
Lucky we live Kaua’i.<br />
Simple<br />
Pleasures<br />
Kaua’i Aloha at its Finest<br />
Kaua’i’s Kava B team participated<br />
in the 2010 Aloha State Games<br />
Volleyball tournament on ‘Oahu,<br />
where it won the sportsmanship<br />
award for the Women’s B division.<br />
Front row, from left, Rhonda Morris and<br />
Sunny Acosta. Back row, from left, Deirdre<br />
Wisneski, Nikki Suiaunoa, Harvette Acosta,<br />
Cyndi Ceballos, Sandi Acob, Tami Gandeza<br />
and Kaulana Efhan.<br />
We are always looking for interesting items to feature in SImple Pleasures and Parting Shot. If you have an item to share with<br />
readers, please email currents@kiuc.coop or send it to: KIUC Currents, 4463 Pahe’e Street, Suite 1, Līhu’e, HI 967662000.<br />
AUGUST 2010 55
56 KIUC CURRENTS<br />
HI-130<br />
Powerlines<br />
Guest Edition<br />
Aloha Members,<br />
In addition to the undergrounding information I mentioned in a<br />
letter to <strong>The</strong> Garden <strong>Island</strong> newspaper, this issue of Currents offers<br />
everything from energy services information about how to save on<br />
a new solar water heater to how the coop can help you save on<br />
your vacation with the Coop Connections Card— and much more.<br />
In each issue you also will find a financial summary, technical<br />
information, board actions taken on your behalf and energyefficiency<br />
programs available to you.<br />
Since cooperatives began electrifying rural America in the 1930s, they have made it a priority to<br />
communicate with their membership through different mediums. And so we continue to do so at<br />
KIUC. While publications like KIUC Currents, bill messages and bill inserts may seem like public<br />
relations measures, in actuality they are representative of a cooperative’s place in the community.<br />
On occasion we are asked why we publish the magazine at all. Why do we print bill inserts?<br />
Why do we print advertisements in the newspaper notifying our members of upcoming events and<br />
programs? We tell them that as a cooperative, our focus is much different and much farther<br />
reaching than that of an investorowned utility.<br />
KIUC takes the fifth of seven coop principles, “Education, Training and Information,” seriously<br />
because we believe the utility will be more successful in all ways with an educated, informed and<br />
actively participating membership. <strong>The</strong>re cannot be successful democracy without an informed<br />
electorate—in our case, our membership.<br />
We hope you will continue to read each issue of Currents. Education and information are our<br />
goals—and we hope you will learn something about your coop in every issue. But we also hope to<br />
inspire you to participate, to come to your annual meeting in September and to help elect your<br />
board each year.<br />
Mahalo,<br />
David J. Bissell<br />
Vice President and CFO