No ruling on electricians and PV systems

A state licensing board Tuesday deferred a decision on the extent to which licensed electricians need to be involved in the installation of solar photovoltaic systems.

Members of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers said the issue is complicated by the fact that their decision will have to take into account new and innovative ways that PV panels are being incorporated into the design of buildings.

The issue has been on the board’s agenda for three consecutive monthly meetings without a resolution. The board has heard testimony from a labor union representing electricians and a trade group representing solar PV companies. The discussion has focused on who is qualified to install the racking systems that hold up the PV panels, and how those systems are grounded.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186 maintains that a licensed electrician must either perform or supervise the grounding of all pieces of a PV system, from the racking to the wiring connecting the system to the electric meter. However, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association says a licensed solar PV installer can handle much of the racking installation up until the point the system is wired into the meter.

The board is scheduled to revisit the issue again at its next meeting on Feb. 11.

DTRIC Insurance CEO to retire in January

Ernest Fukeda Jr., president and chief executive officer of DTRIC Insurance Group, will retire early next year, the company said.

Fukeda joined DTRIC as chief operating officer in 2008 and has been serving in his current capacity since 2011.

"I am proud to have continued the great legacy that Ron Toyofuku established here at DTRIC," said Fukeda. "While my drive and passion remain strong, I have come to the realization that it is the right time for me to begin a new chapter in my life," he said in a statement.

Fukeda’s retirement becomes official Jan. 15, after which Toyofuku, founder and executive chairman, and members of the executive team will oversee day-to-day operations until Fukeda’s successor is named.

Website touts Honolulu and Kihei, Maui

The top-trending vacation rental destinations in the world include Kihei, Maui, at No. 6 and Honolulu at No. 8, according to users of vacation rental site FlipKey.com.

The top spot was grabbed by Rio de Janeiro, which website officials attribute to travelers’ interest in next year’s soccer World Cup.

Miami Beach and Orlando-Kissimmee, Fla., placed second and third on the list, respectively, while Naples and Key West, Fla., ranked fourth and fifth above Kihei, which is on the list for the second consecutive year, as is Kissimmee.

Both destinations dropped in rank year-over-year, as Kissimmee was No. 1 for 2013 and Kihei was at No. 5.

Consumer price index static in November

WASHINGTON » U.S. consumer prices stayed flat in November, held down by falling gas prices. Inflation remains low across the broader economy, giving the Federal Reserve latitude to continue its extraordinary stimulus program. The consumer price index was unchanged last month, after dropping 0.1 percent in October, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Gas prices declined 1.6 percent in November to keep overall prices down. Over the past 12 months, consumer prices have risen just 1.2 percent.

ON THE MOVE

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced that agent Anne I.W. Keamo has been named Realtor of the year by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Keamo is from CBP’s Leeward office.

The board of directors of Orient Bancorp. has named Mark K. McDonald as executive vice president and chief risk officer of Bank of the Orient. He has 39 years of community and regional banking experience, including as chief risk officer, chief credit officer and in senior lending positions at various financial institutions in San Francisco and Northern California.