There are always two sides to every issue, so I feel that I should respond to the July 2 letter about stopping the smart grid project on Maui.
I am a resident of Maui Meadows and was offered the opportunity to participate in the smart grid project. I declined at first, but then did some research and talked to a few neighbors and decided that, based on the information that was available, the minimal risk (radiation levels similar to cellphones and baby monitors) was worth the benefit that this program can provide to the island.
Each side will take the information that is most beneficial to its cause, so do your own research and don't rely on what others have to say. Those who squawk loudest may not be the best source for information.
What I do know is that the smart meters offer a wide array of benefits - the ability to chart energy usage and enable me to change my usage patterns, the ability to detect power outages sooner and, more precisely, most important is that it will eventually allow the electric company to monitor the amount of photovoltaic-generated electricity flowing on the grid to make it more stable.
Better communication between consumers of power and the power company will ultimately make them more efficient and that will translate to less expensive electricity bills.
Oh yeah, I don't think that health-conscious visitors will seek other destinations because there are smart meters here - that's a stretch.
Ken Molina
Maui Meadows
