In early December 2014, Florida-based NextEra Energy announced that Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) had agreed to merge with it. A joint statement put out by the companies contained repeated assertions that the merger–valued at $4.3 billion–would be outstanding for everyone concerned. It would help modernize Hawaii's grid, increase the use of renewable energy resources, … [Read more...] about Gov. Ige, Mayor Arakawa and environmentalists oppose NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger
Hawaiian Electric
Quizunderstood: How well do you know Willie Nelson’s latest musical award?
1. On July 9, the Library of Congress announced that they would give musician/Maui resident Willie Nelson a prize for putting “his imprint forever on country music.” Who is the prize named for? A. Duke Ellington B. George and Ira Gershwin C. Scott Joplin D. Cole Porter E. Irving Berlin 2. Using documents released as part of the proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric … [Read more...] about Quizunderstood: How well do you know Willie Nelson’s latest musical award?
County of Maui issues RFP for possible municipal electric utility
Looks like the County of Maui really is serious about possibly setting up a municipal electric utility–especially given the possible merger between Hawaiian Electric Industries and NextEra that’s pending before the state Public Utilities Commission. How that merger will affect Maui Electric Co. (MECO) is still a matter of conjecture. So on May 6, the Mayor’s Office of Economic … [Read more...] about County of Maui issues RFP for possible municipal electric utility
What awaits Maui Tomorrow when executive director Irene Bowie leaves next month?
In a way it’s fitting that Irene Bowie has decided to step down as executive director of Maui Tomorrow and return to the West Coast. When she took on the job as the Maui County’s most preeminent slow growth activist, the biggest issue facing the state was the proposed Hawaii Superferry. Maui Tomorrow under Bowie’s leadership played a critical role in the legal challenges that … [Read more...] about What awaits Maui Tomorrow when executive director Irene Bowie leaves next month?
This Wednesday, Feb. 19: Kula Community Association To Discuss Proposed Maui-Oahu Undersea Power Cable
Not quite a year ago, this paper broke the story about Sempra's plan for a massive expansion of the wind farm out in Kahikinui should the state of Hawaii ever build an proposed undersea power cable linking the islands of Maui and Oahu. In that story, I asked Doug McLeod, the County of Maui energy commissioner, what he thought of the odds of the cable actually going in: “The … [Read more...] about This Wednesday, Feb. 19: Kula Community Association To Discuss Proposed Maui-Oahu Undersea Power Cable