Saturday, July 31, 2010

Kahuku wind farm lands $117M loan guarantee

First Wind Holdings LLC has closed on a $117 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Energy Department to build a wind farm in Kahuku, the federal agency said yesterday.

The 30-megawatt project is being built by Kahuku Wind Power LLC, a unit of Newton, Mass.-based First Wind. The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs, the Department of Energy said in a news release.

The power will be sold to Hawaiian Electric Co., Oahu's only electric utility, under a 20-year contract. First Wind broke ground on the project this month and plans to complete it by early 2011.

More at the Star Advertiser

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Last Chance to Sign Up for North Shore Map. Deadline Friday the 30th

Dear Members,

One of the benefits of being a member of the Chamber is that you get first priority in advertising in the Chamber's map. The 7th edition still has a few spots left, so if you've missed the opportunity before, sign up now! We will be printing 70,000 for this next issue. Call Sharon at 220-1382 or Antya at 637-4558 to sign up or if you have questions.

People who are planning a trip to Oahu or North Shore call us daily to get information and a map of the area. The map is what we send them along with rack cards geared toward their request. This is the only publication that we have as a Chamber to send to them. Other visitor publications do not have much information on the North Shore. The map is completely about and for the North Shore businesses.

In addition to the printed map, the North Shore map is on line giving you additional web presence. http://www.oahunorthshoremap.com/ Check it out.

Our new Visitor Center provides a centrally located, visible, and highly attractive place for visitors as well as residents from the whole state to get information about our North Shore businesses, events, history and more. This map is central to supporting you, our member businesses.

Speaking of the Visitor Center, if you have not already done so, please bring some of your rack cards to us so that we may display them for walk-ins. We also mail them out when visitors are planning their trip.

Lastly, please spread the word that we need volunteers to help staff the Visitor & Business Services Center. (We are providing printing, faxing and other services to anyone needing them). Retired neighbors and friends would be ideal. Of course, we would love to have you volunteer, but we know you're busy running your business. Please have potential volunteers contact me at the office.

Mahalo,
Antya

Friday, July 23, 2010

Oahu wind project selects contractor

RMT Inc., an energy and environmental company, has been selected by First Wind to construct its wind-energy facility near Kahuku on Oahu’s North Shore.

Read more: Oahu wind project selects contractor - Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

30-megawatt wind farm breaks ground in Kahuku hills

Oahu is on its way to joining Maui and the Big Island in the effort to harness the state's famous tradewinds.

Today developers will break ground on a wind farm in the hills near Kahuku.

The 30-megawatt project on the North Shore is the first large-scale commercial wind farm on the island and includes several technological advances, such as a battery system that will help smooth out the stability of the electrical load.

The project is being built by Kahuku Wind Power LLC, a unit of Newton, Mass.-based First Wind. The wind farm will feature a dozen state-of-the-art Clipper Liberty wind turbines with a maximum output of 2.5 megawatts each. Based on expected wind speeds at the site, the system will generate an estimated 83 million kilowatt-hours annually, the equivalent of 139,500 barrels of oil.

More at the Star Advertiser

Friday, July 02, 2010

Questions for Elected Officials at Membership Meeting on July 8th Pikake Pavilion

Aloha Members,

Please send us questions (by return email) that you would like asked of our elected officials by noon July 6th for the membership meeting next Thursday. We will compile all questions submitted and ask the most frequently submitted ones.

Senator Bunda, Rep. Magaoay and Councilman Dela Cruz will be present at this next membership meeting Thursday, July 8th 7pm at Waimea Valley Pikake Pavilion. Light refreshments will be served. $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Also, please plan on attending and testifying at the Public Hearing regarding school consolidation (possible closing of one of the elementary schools) next Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Haleiwa Elementary School Cafeteria. More information will be forthcoming. The Chamber Board of Directors voted to support the Waialua Complex's recommendation to keep all schools (Waialua High, Waialua Elem., and Haleiwa Elem.) open.

Mahalo nui,
Antya