Legislature Abandons Its Responsibilities

For the past few days, the House and the Senate have been engaged in a game of chicken over a tax bill on pensions. This bill was a relatively small income producer; as proposed, it would have raised roughly 17 million. But the House really, really wanted the tax for

6 Story Medical Building by Kanaha??

Moloka’i Big Wind Meeting

Attendees of the Moloka’i Big Wind Meeting included: David Parquet, Pattern Energy Group Ben McConahey, Manager, Project Strategies & Acquisition, Biological Capital (BC) Julie Witherspoon, BC, According to Mr. McConahey of Biological Capital, BC’s role is surge development, to help sustainable projects, and convince Moloka’i residents that the project be

Elle Cochran Proposes Water Reuse Funds

Elle Cochran has proposed funding for water reuse development in Central Maui, with additional funding to extend the R-1 line in West Maui.  See Elle Cochran’s Budget proposal – pages 23 and 24 Those in favor of reuse instead of injecting waste water can give testimony in support of this

Paia Bypass Meeting

Pa'ia Bypass Meeting MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011 at 5:30 PM at the Kaunoa Senior Center

Friends of Lana’i Wants Big Wind Bidding Re-opened

The Friends of Lana’i filed a petition with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday to reopen the competitive bidding process for the “Big Wind” project on Lanai and Molokai to transmit electricity via undersea cables to Oahu. The Petition The Friends of Lana’i press release: Friends of Lāna‘i (FOL)

Planning Commission Grants A&B Maui Business Park II Variance

The Planning Commission voted to give A&B Properties a special management area permit for Maui Business Park II in Kahului. Conditions include adding a two-lane road with sidewalks and a storm water treatment system. The expansion of the mixed-use, light-industrial park will be located on two properties, one behind Kmart

Olowalu Shoreline Hardening Passes Planning Commission

Photo Courtesy of Maui News The Planning Commission approved State DOT’s request for state’s requests for a special management area permit and a shoreline setback variance to protect the highway on  Lahaina side of the Pali  in Olowalu. DOT will install a blanket of plastic-like fiber over the beach and

HECO Wants to Keep Renewable Energy Contracts Secret

In a move toward making the costs of transitioning to clean energy more transparent to ratepayers, the state Public Utilities Commission has directed Hawaiian Electric Co. to publicly disclose pricing information negotiated for renewable-energy contracts. In the past, utility officials have disclosed pricing for some contracts, but not others. The

Big Island Algae Biofuel Co Changes Name

HR BioPetroleum changed its name to Cellana Inc.  The company develops algae-based biofuels and bioproducts and has a 6-acre demonstration facility in Kona on the Big Island. It formed Cellana LLC as a joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell PLC and became the sole owner of Cellana LLC this January,