Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

Molokai residents are invited to pick up a free kit containing energy-saving items to help reduce energy use at home on Wednesday, May 11, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the following drive-through locations on the island:

• Kaunakakai Elementary School, 30 Ailoa St.
• Maunaloa Elementary School, 128 Maunaloa Road
• Kilohana Elementary School, 7253 Kamehameha V Hwy.

Hosted by Hawaiian Electric in partnership with Hawaii Energy and the County of Maui Department of Water, the drive-through event will be distributing one kit per vehicle, first come-first serve and while supplies last.

The kits include energy-saving light bulbs, water-saving faucet aerators and other items to help residents reduce energy use and manage their energy bills.

With the ongoing crisis in Ukraine impacting global fuel prices and availability, doing an inventory of how energy is used at home can also help. Some actions to take now:

• Stay cool. Open the windows to let trade winds cool your home or use fans instead of air conditioning.
• Fix leaks. A leaking hot water faucet wastes both water and energy.
• Cold wash. Use a cold water wash and rinse for your clothes whenever possible. Water heating accounts for 90% of the energy used by your washing machine.
• Dry wisely. Take advantage of fresh air and sunshine by hanging clothes outside instead of using a clothes dryer. If using a clothes dryer, clean the lint filter before each load to maintain the unit’s efficiency.