State lawmakers helped local energy company RevoluSun Smart Home turn on a solar-powered air conditioning unit in a classroom at Kalaheo High School in Kailua on Thursday.
RevoluSun said it donated and installed a $25,000 solar AC system to power the the unit after receiving a request to help the school from state Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kailua-Kaneohe).
This system includes 15 PV panels, an Aquion battery backup and a 36,000-Btu Mitsubishi split AC unit, enough to cool a 1,500-square-foot room. There are also eight Haiku ceiling fans manufactured and donated by Big Ass Fans being used in two classrooms.
“It’s our hope that the lessons learned from this installation will help the Department of Education save money and apply creative solutions to other schools throughout the state,” Colin Yost of RevoluSun said in a press release.
Kalaheo High School Principal Susan Hummel, Thielen, state Sen. Laura Thielen (D, Kailua-Waimanalo) and state Rep. Chris Lee (D, Kailua-Waimanalo) turned on the system.
Cheap gas brings back summer road trips
NEW YORK >> 2016 is shaping up to be the summer of the road trip. Cheap fuel prices have left many American families flush with spare cash, which they now plan to spend on vacations. And with summertime gas prices predicted to be the lowest in 13 years, the travel industry is outright giddy over its chances for a blockbuster July and August.
AAA is predicting 38 million people will travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the most since 2005. The overwhelming majority of travelers — 89 percent — plan to go by car. That’s the highest percent of drivers since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000.
Fewer people seek U.S. jobless benefits
WASHINGTON >> The number of people seeking U.S. jobless aid fell sharply last week, partially reversing two weeks of big gains that had raised concerns about rising layoffs.
Weekly applications for unemployment aid dropped to 278,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. That followed a jump to 294,000 in the previous week, which was the highest level since February 2015.
Applications, which are a proxy for layoffs, have been below 300,000, a historically low level, for 63 straight weeks. That’s the longest such streak since 1973.
Gap closes 75 stores outside N. America
NEW YORK >> Gap Inc. says it will shutter 75 Old Navy and Banana Republic stores outside North America as the struggling company looks to focus on regions where it sees it has the greatest potential for success.
The San Francisco company said Thursday it is closing 53 Old Navy stores in Japan, and a number of Banana Republic stores internationally. The announcement came as Gap reported a 47 percent drop in first-quarter profit. Its revenue fell nearly 6 percent. All three of its brands suffered declines for a key sales measure.
Fiat Chrysler recalls 500,000 Jeeps
DETROIT >> Fiat Chrysler is recalling about a half-million Jeep Wrangler SUVs worldwide because the driver’s air bag might not inflate in a crash. The recall covers Wranglers from the 2007 through 2010 model years, including 392,000 in the U.S. Another 7,400 2011-2016 Wranglers in the U.S. with right-hand drive also are affected. The company says excessive exposure to dust and dirt from off-road driving can cause electrical problems in the steering column air bag wiring. If that happens, a warning lamp will come on, and owners should contact their dealer.
Fiat Chrysler says it’s not aware of any related injuries.
ON THE MOVE
Darren D.K. Wong is the owner of and practices at Pearl City Dental Corner, located in Aiea/Pearl City. He is a general and family dentist, who will help patients with sleep apnea and affordable dental implants, as well as Invisalign clear braces. He previously worked at Hawaii Family Dental Center at Waterfront Plaza (formerly Restaurant Row).
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Shelley Tadaki Cramer was named vice president and general manager of Hawaii’s first Saks Fifth Avenue in April. She has more than 20 years of management experience and extensive background in marketing, including previously serving as a general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco.
