Solar

New firm will help residents with solar-energy financing

August 7, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Scott Murakami is launching a new company to market and sell photovoltaic and solar hot-water systems. NexGen Solar will be located in Waipahu and Murakami expects to open by the end of the month. His initial focus will be on residential customers, assisting with permitting and financing options. “Right now the tax credits are very generous,” Murakami said. “We want to apply our knowledge to helping people in Hawaii and reducing oil dependency. The timing seems to be good right now.” Murakami, an engineer, has spent the past few years in e-commerce with Alohafunwear.com. Read More →

Health

Whole Foods opens first Hawaii store

September 17, 2008 · Leave a Comment

A healthy crowd turned out yesterday morning for the opening of the first Whole Foods Market store in Hawai’i, at Kahala Mall. About 150 people lined up for the 7 a.m. opening to shop or see what the nation’s largest natural and organic foods retailer has to offer. “Wow!” said Shayne Stambler, a photographer from Diamond Head who almost exclusively buys groceries at natural food stores but had never before been to a Whole Foods. “The presentation is fabulous. The seafood and meat: unbelievable.” The new store is one of four the upscale retailer based in Texas... [Read the full story]

Energy

Hawaii electricians train for future

September 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Local electricians are preparing for what they hope will be a growing number of sustainable or “green” construction projects when the economy recovers. Three months after launching a green jobs training program, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186 and the Electrical Contractors Association of Hawaii say they have seen steady demand and interest even with relatively few projects in the pipeline for their members. IBEW Local 1186 has held four courses, each 13 hours in length, to train journeymen and apprentices in the latest green technology. The courses are spread... [Read the full story]

Electric

Shuttle bikes may start next spring

December 7, 2008 · Comments Off

Bike sharing, popular in several European countries and in its infancy in many U.S. cities, may be coming to O’ahu next spring in a privately funded pilot program. Nguyen Le’s Momentum B-cycle proposal would allow people who pay for the service to hop on a bike in Manoa and leave it at a designated rack in Waikiki without worrying about where to park. Riders could also bike to and from Aloha Tower, Ala Moana Center and Downtown. The rack locations haven’t been secured yet, Le said, but several business owners have expressed interest. "It’s so early in the process... [Read the full story]

Hotels

Waikiki hotels focus on green initiatives

October 31, 2008 · Leave a Comment

More hotels in Waikiki are seeing reasons to go green as a way to cut back on energy costs, plus get some good publicity. Savvy travelers are also beginning to inquire about it, including events planners who ask about whether a hotel has the U.S. Energy Star rating. At the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, energy-efficient LED lights are used in public areas, candelabras, swimming pool, and elevators, reducing the hotel’s overall electricity costs. At a green hotel forum hosted by the state yesterday morning at the Hyatt, hotel employees got a rundown on recycling providers, how to apply for the U.S.... [Read the full story]

Wildlife

Hawaii’s sea turtle ready to experience life

October 29, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Hawaii’s green sea turtle population is about to get a boost. After being bred in captivity, Sea Life Park will release five of the endangered animals into the wild this Saturday. Like kids ready to be sent off to college, the five juvenile Honu are ready to experience life on their own. Raised from little hatchlings no more than a few inches long, the Honu are now a robust 150 pounds. And ready to enjoy life in the open ocean. “By releasing them at a larger size this increasing the likelihood that these turtles will surviving until fully matured,” said curator Jeff Pawloski. The... [Read the full story]

Recycle

Deconstruction: a green alternative

There’s been a lot of talk lately about going green when it comes to building a home. But did you know there is also a greener way to go when it comes time to tear down your house or business? Say you have an old home, and you want to knock it down and put up a new one. In the past, you didn’t have much...

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Oahu’s Phone Book Recycling Plant

Island Shell LLC, an Aiea-based environmental manufacturing firm, recently completed installation of a $750,000 recycling mill. The mill is designed to process phone books, newspaper, and cardboard into environmentally sound products sold throughout the state. Bernie Boltz, owner, says, “Our plant is able...

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UH to recycle 1.5M pounds of electronics

The University of Hawaii collected 1.5 million pounds of eWaste last week. The university said 75 shipping containers filled with broken and obsolete electronic equipment would be recycled or properly disposed of, instead of ending up in Hawaii landfills. The eWaste Disposal Days program collected items from public...

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