Richard Ha writes:

New information:

We encourage you to WEAR YOUR RUBBAH SLIPPAHS when you come to the PUC meeting on Monday (in Hilo), Tuesday (in Kona) or Thursday (in Honolulu) to let the PUC know how its approved increase to your electricity bill would affect you.

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce came up with this great idea of wearing rubbah slippahs to the PUC meetings, and we’re running with it. So to speak.

We’ll show the PUC that we are the rubbah slippah folks; the ones who are going to be affected by its decisions.

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WHAT:

The PUC will be hearing HELCO’s proposal for a 4.2 percent rate hike, as well as Aina Koa Pono’s proposed biofuel project.

• The Big Island Community Coalition opposes both proposals because they would raise, rather than lower, our electricity rates. You’ll see it on your monthly electric bills.

WHEN:

• Monday, October 29, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the Hilo High School cafeteria
• Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria
• Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 6 p.m. at Farrington High School.

WHY:

The PUC members are caring human beings. But they have to know what the people want. Only two people, I think, showed up at the last PUC hearing in Hilo. We need hundreds!

The Big Island is in trouble. We have one of the highest electricity rates in Hawai‘i – almost 25 percent higher than O‘ahu’s. High electricity rates are like a giant regressive tax, only worse. As people leave the electric grid to escape its high cost, those who cannot afford to do so pay even more.

The Big Island has a robust supply of alternatives to oil. We need to mobilize and make meaningful change.