Residents seeking a more direct say in the island’s energy future answered questions on issues ranging from rates to renewables yesterday evening at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.

Six candidates vying for three open seats on the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors were quizzed at a forum hosted by The Garden Island and emceed by KQNG’s Ron Wiley.

Incumbents Dennis Esaki, Teofilo Phil Tacbian and Peter Yukimura were picked by the KIUC Nominating Committee in January while new-comers Thomas Ellis, Ken Stokes and Ben Sullivan qualified by petition.

The candidates generally agreed on the direction the co-op needs to head, but differed somewhat on the route to take and to what extent the public should be included in the discussion.

Ballots will be sent out next week to the co-op’s 23,000 members, KIUC spokesperson Shelley Paik said yesterday. Votes must be received by noon, March 22.

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(Source: Nathan Eagle, Kauai Garden Island News)