Conflict at Koloa Camp looming larger

Residents on all islands had hoped some accommodation might have been found for the residents of Koloa Camp, one of the last remaining remnants of Kauai’s plantation heritage.

Now it seems that landowner Grove Farm Co., which wants to pursue construction of a 50-home subdivision in the area, has no interest in selling the land beneath the camp to Peter Savio. Developer Savio had thought that was one route to letting the tenants facing eviction to stay in their homes.

But it doesn’t look to be "game over" yet. Besides the vows by some residents to barricade themselves within their houses, the opposition website (www.savekoloacamp.com) hints at conflicts to come.

Among the battle lines they draw: the presence of numerous Hawaiian burials and its status as a nesting ground for the endangered koloa maoli, a native duck. There’s more drama to unfold here.

Charging it (your car, that is) at the mall

Hawaii is still a long way from the electric-vehicle paradise some people dream about, where affordable EV cars can tool around the island and stop off for a quick recharge just about anywhere.

There’s reason to celebrate incremental steps in that direction, though. Among them: the work of Volta Technologies, a new enterprise that’s trying to add competition to the field.

Scott Mercer and Chris Ching have just unveiled the first charging station at a shopping mall, Pearlridge Center. It’s the first site where patrons will pay no fee for either parking or the EV charge itself.

The idea is that the attraction should bring customers to the mall after the electron tank has been filled. Nice innovation. Now if someone can ratchet down the sticker price for one of these fancy rides, we’ll be all set.