Tag Archives: Richard Ha

March 8, 2011

Saddle Road Improvement Project Remains On Track

By Aaron Stene

Richard Ha blogged about the new HELCO/Puna Geothermal Venture 8MW power purchase agreement. This new generating capacity will be produced by reusing the brine byproduct of the existing steam generation process. Ormat Technologies is constructing this facility.

The deferral of the mayor’s 56 million dollar bond float left a sour taste in my mouth. I hoped the council would appropriate funding for several projects, such as the La’aloa Avenue Extension. However, the opponents of this bond float successfully torpedoed it. They claimed the funding was not tied to a specific project. Nevertheless, Big Island Video News posted part of Bill 311 which showed the list of projects allocated funding from this bond float.

I checked the county website to compare drafts of this legislation. The version posted on the county’s website doesn’t include the list of funded projects. So, I’ve officially inquired with county to see how many drafts of Bill 311 were created. I’ll certainly post an update if the county responds to my request.

I was absolutely thrilled after reading this article regarding the Saddle Road improvement project. The funding for the last two phases remains on track despite the loss of earmarks.

Related items:

Elimination Of Congressional Earmarks May Jeopardize The Completion of The Saddle Road Improvement Project

Saddle Road Improvement Project Breaking News

HI SR 200(3) and HI A-AD 6(2) Update

Lastly, I drove over Saddle Road on my way back to Kona last weekend. So, I was able to see the progress Road and Highway Builders has made reconstructing Saddle Road between m.m 11 and m.m 19.

RHB has excavated and graded most of the project (except on segment of old roadway near the bottom). They’ve also paved approximately 4 miles of new roadway.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

February 14, 2011

La’aloa Avenue Extension Project Update

By Aaron Stene

Richard Ha recently blogged about Puna Geothermal Venture‘s operational safeguards.  Big Island Weekly recently published an  article which raised questions about geothermal safety.

The new HELCO/PGV eight megawatt power purchase agreement may lower electricity costs for island consumers.

The cost of producing this additional eight megawatts won’t be tied to the price of oil. In addition, HELCO and PGV were able to hammer out a new five megawatt purchase  agreement. This replaces the old accord.

Oceanic Time Warner Cable has ceased offering Road Runner Turbo Plus (15Mbps/1Mbps) service for now.

A Oceanic customer service representative replied to my e-mail inquiry:

“The Turbo Plus listing has been removed for now. Customers who already have the service are able to continue to use the service, however we are not able to add new customers with this service at this time. Unfortunately we do not have details about why this change was made.”

Councilman Pete Hoffmann responded to my e-mail inquiring why the council hasn’t approved funding for the La’aloa Avenue extension project.

“Aaron,

We may see another bond float proposed by the Mayor which includes both projects. They have been properly added to the CIP, but don’t forget there’s no money in the CIP, it is only a ‘wish list’. The money to actually do the projects comes from bond floats, property taxes, state/federal grants, etc. I believe the Mayor will introduce another bond float that will handle at least these two projects and it will be done ‘properly’ this time.”

Lastly, the proposed Waimea Bypass (between mud lane and Waimea Airport) remains a paper road. The biggest issue is with the DHHL homesteaders. They remain vehemently opposed to the construction of this roadway.

I wish these homesteaders would see the bigger picture. This bypass road will benefit them and the entire community.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

January 28, 2011

Kona Town Meeting: Replacing Fossil Fuel With Geothermal Energy

By Aaron Stene

Approximately 70% of the electricity used on the Big Island of Hawaii is generated by expensive, imported fossil fuel. Our dependence on imported fossil fuel not only presents a serious risk to our power system and creates huge amounts of greenhouse gases, but also drains billions of dollars from our economy annually.

Hawaii Island is unique in that it has an unlimited amount of geothermal energy which is available 24 hours a day and does not pollute our planet.

How and when can this energy source help to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels?

The 2010 State Legislature assigned the task of building a plan for increasing geothermal energy on Hawaii Island to the Geothermal Working Group, lead by Co-Chairs Richard Ha and Wally Ishibashi. The Working Group has submitted their Preliminary plan to the 2011 State Legislature. Come listen to the Geothermal Working Group present their plan for reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Honored speakers will be Richard Ha and Wallace Ishibashi, Geothermal Working Group Co-Chairs, Don Thomas, University of Hawaii Geochemist with the Center of Volcanic Studies, Mike Kaleikini, Puna Geothermal Venture Plant Manager and Guy Toyama, CEO of H2 Technologies who will present related hydrogen and ammonia generation technologies. District 7 County Councilwoman, Brenda Ford will provide a Council update.

The Kona Town Meeting Tuesday, February 8, will start at 6 PM and conclude at 8 PM at Makaeo Events Pavilion which is located at the old Kona Airport Park. Kona Town Meetings are presented by Community Enterprises, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, to provide vital information on community concerns to Kona citizens. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please go to konatownmeeting.org or call Fred Housel at 331-8602.

1 comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology

December 9, 2010

Richard Ha Would Be A Great State Senator

By Aaron Stene

I’m absolutely thrilled that Richard Ha has thrown his hat in the ring for Senator Kokubun‘s seat. Mr. Ha would be a strong legislative advocate for farmers statewide. In addition, his advocacy of food and energy security would be a bonus.

The bid solicitation for the future Makalei Fire Station is slated to be advertised on December 23rd, 2010. I received this update yesterday from the project manager:

“I met with our Dept of Public Works inspector and they received the final plans and bid specs on December 3. They are in the process of reviewing the specs. If all goes well, we anticipate advertising the project for bid later this month on December 23, 2010.”

This Big Island Weekly article stated 30 individuals out of 50 at the Hilo hearing testified against granting a conservation district use permit to the Thirty Meter Telescope (the also article stated 17 were for and 13 were against this project at the Kona hearing). However, I received a tip regarding the testimony results. The latter showed it really was a dead heat, not overwhelmingly against this project.

Hawaii County hasn’t initiated condemnation proceedings against the Smith and Whitaker families yet. The completion of the Mamalahoa (Hokuli’a) bypass is contingent on condemning some of their land.

The county has to submit a resolution (including a map and a title search) to the council first. The latter may begin soon as far as I understand.

Lastly, Robert Thomas, Charles and Joan Coupe’s attorney, has until early January 2011 (or late February 2011, if granted an extension) to petition the U.S Supreme Court to hear their Mamalahoa (Hokuli’a) bypass condemnation appeal.

1 comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Hawaii Development, Hawaii Economy, Hawaii Planning, Hawaii Politics, Hawaii Technology, Hawaii Transportation

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