Hot rooftops mean cooler savings

One of the coolest things going on right now is located in the hottest spot: the rooftop.

Aiea High School is the first in a string of schools being outfitted with photovoltaic solar panels, with no up-front costs to the state Department of Education. The state acquired the 122-kilowatt installation through a power purchase agreement with RC Energy, the Denver-based company that owns the panels. Even with the third-party finance company keeping some of the power price differential, the DOE will save about $150,000 over 20 years on that one school alone.

More installations are coming at Waianae, Kahuku and Kaimuki high schools, followed by schools on Kauai. The schools were due for new roofs anyway, officials said.

Perhaps when the Public Utilities Commission approves a program of financing solar panels through electric bill payments, more folks could work similar deals.

A security break for older travelers

Airline passengers 75 and older no longer have to remove their shoes or lightweight jackets in screening at some major airports. For now, Honolulu Airport is not one of them.

The Transportation Security Administration began the pilot project on Monday at airports in Chicago, Denver, Orlando, and Portland, Ore., which were chosen because they have a higher percentage of elderly travelers.

Officers will determine which passengers are 75 or older by making a visual assessment of those who look that old and informing them of the new rules.

Some seniors could take that as more insulting than a pat-down.