LAHAINA >> Maui’s second large-scale photovoltaic solar project came online last week in Lahaina.
The Ku‘ia Solar project, owned by Kenyon Energy, can provide up to 2.87 megawatts of solar power to Maui’s electric grid at a cost of about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to Maui Electric Co.
The utility does not take a profit from the purchased power and is passing the savings onto Maui customers, MECO said.
The solar project sits on 10.85 acres of land owned by Kamehameha Schools.
The county’s first large-scale solar project, South Maui Renewable Resources, came online in May and is also run by Kenyon Energy, a developer, owner and operator of solar energy projects in the United States.
Maui’s energy portfolio currently consists of 34 percent renewable energy, ahead of the state’s goal of 30 percent renewable energy by 2020. In June 2017, Maui Electric reached a peak of 77 percent of its power coming from renewable energy resources, the utility said.
Fire destroys Pahoa Home
PAHOA >> Cooking is believed to have caused a fire that destroyed a single-story home Friday night in Pahoa, according to Hawaii island firefighters.
The fire started at about 10:20 p.m. at the Kamaili Road structure, which is located in a rural area about 1,000 feet from the main road and was not hooked up to the electrical grid.
Firefighters arrived at about 10:35 p.m. to find the home engulfed in flames and the roof collapsed. The uninjured occupant was safe outside. It took about 90 minutes for the blaze to be extinguished.
Donated buses will be rejected
HILO >> The Hawaii County Council is asking the Mass Transit Administration to quit accepting used buses from other counties.
West Hawaii Today reports the council voted Wednesday to accept the most recent donation of two buses from Maui. Members said they don’t want to seem unappreciative but have concerns about maintenance and disposal of used buses.
Council members worry the Big Island could be the dumping ground for other counties facing disposal of aging buses.
The county last month took possession of a donated double-decker bus and a 25-passenger 2014 Chevrolet bus from Maui. It cost Hawaii County $11,777 to ship the buses over. Mass Transit Administrator Maria “Sole” Aranguiz said the used bus donations are just a stop-gap measure until the county receives new buses it’s preparing to order.
