Makalei Fire Station Bid Solicitation Was Advertised Today

I won’t be celebrating Christmas with my parents and family in Ka’u this weekend. My girlfriend recently got sick . So I’ll be staying up in Kona for Christmas by myself.

The bid solicitation for the future Makalei Fire Station was advertised today. The Kalaoa community has been waiting for years for enhanced fire protection. So, this bid solicitation is a significant step towards achieving the latter.

I’m not surprised that Young Brothers is seeking a 24% rate hike. PASHA‘s entry into the Hawaiian market is the driving force for YB’s petition. PASHA won’t be serving ports that YB is obligated to service, such as Lanai and Molokai. So, PASHA won’t be encumbered with providing service to areas that are not profitable. This puts Young Brothers at a competitive disadvantage.

I’ve read the comments regarding Young Brothers plans. These individuals unfairly criticize Young Brothers as a big bad monopoly. However, they are a State regulated utility. So, Young Brothers obligated to provide statewide service and have the Hawaii PUC approve any rate increases. PASHA isn’t obligated to provide  statewide service.

This is the latest update regarding Hawaii County’s lawsuit against 1250 Oceanside Partners and American Motorist Insurance Company.

The recent heavy rains has produced severe flooding. Andrew Cooper filmed the raging waters crossing Mamalahoa Highway by West Hawaii Concrete’s Kamuela batch plant on Wednesday.

Lastly, Reed Flickinger, WHT’s editor, replied to my e-mail regarding his refusal to publish my recent letter to the editor.

“Mr. Stene,

Your letters have gone directly into a junk mail folder since a series of them was an attempt by you to direct traffic to your website. Should you wish to contribute letters to this newspaper that express an opinion and not such an attempt to redirect readership, I would be glad to entertain them. Despite your suspicions, your submissions were not “blackballed” because of criticism of my commentary. I’m a grown up and am not averse to criticism of my commentary, which I freely publish.”