HECO says the decision to raise rates is necessary to give customers better service, while local businesses say its just another obstacle.
After opening more than a decade ago a local golf shop owner says...
“Its getting tougher and tougher to do business.”
Keith Tanaka owns Roots & Relics, a popular downtown Honolulu store that sells golfing gear, accessories and equipment.
Tanaka says during this current economic slump the cost to stay in business keeps getting higher.
“Everybody is trying to make ends meet and when one thing goes up it starts a chain reaction, you see like a domino theory, you see other things go up and up and up,” Tanaka said.
Also going up…electricity rates.
“Its like a runaway freight train,” Tanaka said.
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved a 4.7 percent increase in HECO’s electric rate affecting residents and businesses on Oahu.
“We understand that there’s never a very good time for a rate increase, especially in a tough economy like this one,” HECO spokesman Darren Pai said.
HECO says they will use the 61.1 million dollars from the increase to pay for services already completed like additional tree trimming, more utility line and pole inspections and increased power plant servicing.
“These are improvements that are going to increase reliability, maintain the electric system and you know provide better service for our customers,” Pai said.
Tanaka says he already spends more than a thousand dollars on the electric bill for his business, plus the cost to power up his home.
“And you know like I said every little bit helps,” Tanaka said.
Every little bit can start with something simple...
“We got those light bulbs the energy saving light bulbs in our place and the energy saving washer dryer,” Waikiki resident Heidar Thordarson said.
“We try to cut back but its uh you also have to try and please the customers too,” Tanaka said.
HECO says they expect to file for another increase later this year once the new bio diesel plant at Campbell Industrial Park is put into use.
