Hawaii solar permits have been down 50 percent monthly and close to 500 solar employees have lost their jobs since the state Public Utilities Commission ended the solar incentive program in October 2015.
To solve this problem, all the state has to do is reinstate the Hawaii solar energy incentive program exactly the way it was.
Why did they end the net energy metering program? Change it back to the way it was and bring back the jobs. Fix it. The end of Hawaii’s solar credit program is a disaster killing off jobs and killing off our hot solar industry.
The PUC should never have agreed to the request from Hawaiian Electric to stop offering its net energy metering program, which credits solar owners the full retail rate for any excess electricity their systems send to the grid. Change it back to the way it was, with no cap.
Tom Sebas
Waikiki
Kenoi made deal, avoided hearing
For Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi to acknowledge that he probably misused his county-issued credit card after being acquitted is a huge understatement (“Kenoi admits possible card misuse,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12).
It was reported that his initial excuse was that he never intended to defraud anyone.
But he did. His lavish spending spree began when he was first elected into office in 2009 until he was caught in the spring of 2015.
The advisory opinion that Kenoi’s lawyers presented to the Hawaii County Board of Ethics is an insult to Lanric Hyland, who filed the complaint against Kenoi.
The agreement should not have been considered as a way to avoid an investigative hearing.
So much for ethics.
Alexis M. Liftee
Nuuanu
Kaiser also offers top cancer care
The editorial “Isles need links to cancer centers” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 15), is good news for Hawaii. Some may not be aware, however, that Kaiser Permanente Hawaii members have long had access to high-quality, cutting-edge cancer care both here in the islands and in collaboration with our national Kaiser Permanente partners on the mainland.
We’re very pleased that the new Hawaii Pacific Health partnership will eventually allow other Hawaii residents to have access to a similar level of care.
It’s extremely gratifying to know that my patients are able to receive new and innovative treatments and therapies through our extensive clinical trials network. In fact, Kaiser Permanente is the highest enrolling institution for studies funded by the National Cancer Institute. We’re able to offer many of these treatments here on Oahu, so patients don’t have to travel to the mainland, and our neighbor island members also have these same opportunities.
It’s encouraging to see collaboration that benefits all the people of Hawaii.
Jennifer Carney, M.D.
Chief, Hematology & Oncology
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
UH Warriors need 2 more victories
In last Saturday’s thrashing of the University of Hawaii football team by Boise State (52-16), UH coach Nick Rolovich was so upset by the team’s performance that he had the benches on the sidelines removed so the players would stand. It reminds me of the Hawaiian activist rally song: “All Hawaii stand together, this is now and forever.”
Sadly, the team let Rolovich down. Hopefully, they will save their best for last by winning the remaining 2 games, then qualify for the Aloha Bowl.
Go Bows!
Mel Rodenhurst
Kailua
