CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Visitor arrivals and spending grew for the 13th straight month in June. While Hawaii’s popularity surely improves the economy, one wonders how we can fit everyone comfortably.
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They just keep turning up. The latest visitor arrival numbers show more-than-healthy increases. Visitor arrivals and spending grew for the 13th straight month in June — “abnormally strong,” said one industry executive. And while Hawaii’s popularity surely improves the economy, one wonders how we can fit everyone comfortably. Hospitality consultant Elizabeth Churchill noted, “We need to gather stakeholders and look at tourism sustainability.”
Yes. In the meantime, let’s continue to show our guests our aloha.
New solar projects on the horizon
Oahu’s solar energy future looks a little brighter — by 3 percentage points, to be more specific. That’s how much Hawaiian Electric’s renewable portfolio should grow with the addition of three solar farms approved by the state Public Utilities Commission on Thursday.
The projects, two in central Oahu and one near the North Shore, will generate about 110 megawatts of electricity, the PUC said.
That’s good news for Hawaii’s ambitious clean energy goals.