How good is the “smart grid” for the consumer?
As I understand it, a smart grid tracks customer usage.
When one uses electricity during non-peak hours, the cost to the consumer is less; during peak hours, the cost rises.
So for all the people who work during the day (non-peak hours), their costs will be significantly more because their energy needs are during peak hours.
Right now we are paying about 26 cents per kilowatt hour. How can your editorial say “that the cost is projected to be minimal for residential customers: about 23 cents per month for 20 years” (“Moving ahead on ‘smart grid’ a welcome move,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, April 4)?
Sounds like a fairy tale.
As long as we have a for-profit utility, the consumer will have to pay and pay and pay.
Loretta Ching
Kailua
Smart grids safe and will cut costs
We’d like to correct some misinformation about smart grids that was in a recent letter to the editor.
A smart grid will provide more money-saving options that are not mandatory and customers can choose to participate in, like time-of-use rates.
Smart meters are accurate. Customers will have access to their energy use data through a web and mobile portal, helping them save by making informed choices.
All data is encrypted, protected and transmitted over a private network, not the open Internet.
Rules and safeguards protect customer data.
We do not sell, rent or lease personal information.
Scientific studies show smart meters are safe. They meet federal safety guidelines, with lower radio frequency emissions than other common devices, like microwave ovens and wireless phones.
A smarter energy system will improve service for our customers as we build a 100 percent renewable energy future.
Shari Ishikawa
Hawaiian Electric Co.smart grid program manager
Marsy’s Law can’t come too soon
Mahalo to the Star-Advertiser’s Michael Tsai for his article on Marsy’s Law for Hawaii and shedding light on the rights that a constitutional amendment would give to victims of crime (“Victims’ rights measure advances through House,” March 24).
I am a survivor of child molestation, abuse and neglect, and rape, credit card fraud and domestic violence.
If Hawaii had a Marsy’s Law, I would have had the right to be treated with fairness and respect, the right to full and timely resolution and the right to financial assistance and other services available for crime victims.
Instead, I was left to suffer alone, which resulted in me being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, anxiety and more.
All we survivors are asking for is to be granted equal constitutional rights. Nothing more, nothing less.
We hope the Legislature will give voters a chance to support Marsy’s Law for Hawaii.
Mai Hall
Nuuanu
U.S. should be several nations
The U.S. presidency has become too big for one person.
The nation has shown by its presidential preferences that the East, Midwest, West and South each need their own presidents.
The Electoral College is outdated, the federal tax system is a horror show, the public school system needs some serious redesigning — and that’s just a a start.
The more legislators try to make believe that we are all equal, the more divided this country becomes.
The “United States” should be the “Different” States.
Peter Coleman Jr.
Makiki
Preference poll lacked validity
Most of the precincts on Oahu for the March 26 Democratic presidential preference poll were closed before all had voted.
I was among those turned away in my precinct, and have friends across the island who had similar experiences.
The actual votes counted cannot be accurate. Hundreds did not vote.
It is disappointing that there were no clear times publicized. If all had been allowed to vote, the actual outcome between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders might have been much different.
We cannot know, since there was nothing available to count.
In an actual election, this process would have been voter suppression.
We are proud of our candidates and want to be proud of our democratic process.
Marilyn Cristofori
Hawaii Kai
