PUC seeks comment on undersea cable
The state Public Utilities Commission has scheduled public meetings next week on Oahu and Maui to gather comments on a proposal to connect the electrical grids of the two islands with an undersea transmission cable.
The first meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Farrington High School cafeteria in Honolulu. The second is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Pomaikai Elementary School cafeteria in Kahului.
The PUC is investigating whether a transmission cable between the two islands is in the public interest. The commission is looking at issues such as whether the benefits to utility ratepayers would exceed the cost of the cable, which the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism estimates would be around $700 million. The PUC also wants to know about potential development risks and how they would be mitigated.
The meeting will start with presentations by representatives from the PUC, DBEDT and the office of the state consumer advocate. The PUC will take comments from the audience following the presentations.
Meetings to discuss Schofield power plant
The Army has scheduled two meetings in Mililani and Wahiawa next month to gather public comment on a 50-megawatt power plant planned for Schofield Barracks.
The first meeting is scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria. The second is scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Wahiawa District Park recreation center.
The meetings are required as part of the preparation of an environmental impact statement that is being done for the project.
The power plant, expected to be completed by the end of 2017, would be tied into Hawaiian Electric Co.’s grid. But the electricity it produces could be "islanded" to exclusively serve Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield in the event HECO’s Oahu electrical distribution system is knocked offline.
KTA joins effort to expand HPR-2’s reach
Hawaii Public Radio has secured a pledge from Hilo-based KTA Super Stores that will broaden the reach of HPR-2 in East Hawaii. The second HPR program stream, heard on Oahu via KIPO-FM 89.3, provides local, national and international news and information, local talk, jazz and other music programming.
The KTA matching pledge of $20,000 will go toward a $150,000 capital campaign now underway to purchase equipment and pay for installation, engineering and legal fees to bring a new transmitter to the area.
HPR volunteers are working to secure additional contributions toward a planned spring 2014 sign-on.
HPR-2 has been airing in Pahala via KAHU-FM 91.7, but the island’s geography necessitates another transmitter to reach the broader East Hawaii area, HPR President and General Manager Michael Titterton said in a statement.
Slumping Intel to cut more than 5,000 jobs
SANTA CLARA, Calif. » Intel plans to trim more than 5,000 jobs from its workforce this year in an effort to boost its earnings amid waning demand for its personal computer chips. The Santa Clara, Calif., company confirmed the job cuts Friday, the day after Intel Corp. reported its profit and revenue had fallen for the second consecutive year.
ON THE MOVE
Kiewit Building Group has hired:
>> Michelle Cabalse as public involvement coordinator. Before joining the company, Cabalse served as a communications specialist at the University of Hawaii School of Architecture as well as a marketing coordinator with T&C Surf Designs.
>> Cara Perlman as a business development coordinator. She was previously a senior traffic manager at Hagadone Printing in Honolulu, promotions specialist at MMI Realty, media buyer at Communications Pacific and a vacation services coordinator at Starwood Vacations Hawaii.
