Hawaii Renovation Dec 18 2011

Serving Hawaii Since 1981 695-EXPO • SHOWROOM HOURS • M-F 8-4, SATURDAY 9-4 • 2933 KOAPAKA ST. • www.hawaiihomeexpo.com

Applies to in store items only • Valid through 12/30/11

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.

HAW

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DEC. 18, 2011WWW.HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM

When it comes to durable Luxury Vinyl Tiles and hassle-freeinstallation, look no further than Wayne’s Flooring America.See page 3

A firm footingfor homeowners

You may alreadyhave decoratedyour home to

reflect the season, andalthough Christmas is notusually associated withfeng shui, you can usefeng shui principles toadd positive energetictouches to your home for

the holidays. Just followthese tips:

Minimize the excessPut your Christmas dec-

orations up later ratherthan sooner to heightenthe specialness of the sea-son. Decorating forChristmas too early — too

much color, sound andenergetic activity — canhave a numbing effect andtire out the family.

SimplifyTake a good look at your

decorations. Do you haveitems that you keep yearafter year “just because?”

Get rid of outdated itemsand items that you don’tabsolutely love or that arefalling apart.

Direct energy upTo create an uplifting

mood, hang lights, gar-lands and ribbons at eye

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HAWAIIRENOVATION

SEE PAGE 11

Keeping calm with Christmas decor

Metroflor’s new inter-locking floor product,Engage, is the perfect

floor if you are looking fordurability in either your homeor business. Engage is backedby a 25-year residential and afive-year commercial warranty.This Luxury Vinyl Tile productis installed free-floating andclicks together with the indus-tries best locking system,Uniclic. Because Engage doesnot require adhesives, the flooris ready to be used as soon as itis installed. It also eliminatesany potential VOCs or off-gassing, making it a sound rec-

ommendation for spaces withindoor air quality issues.Because Engage is a vinyl prod-uct, it is moisture resistantfrom the top down, making it asuitable option for the kitchenor bathrooms.

Here are some reasons to gowith Engage in your home:

• Engage Essential plankscome in a 7 1/2” by 47 1/2”plank size with various coloroptions

• Engage is a great option forhomeowners looking for aquality DIY (Do It Yourself)type product

Metroflor is the world’slargest LVT manufacturer andwith Engage, it has introducedanother innovative product tothe largely popular category.

Other products manufacturedby Metroflor include Hybridand Konecto. For more infor-mation on Metroflor, please goto our website atwww.metroflorlvt.com.

Find the answer to yourneeds with Metroflor’s Engageat all Wayne’s locations inKaimuki, Kaneohe and SandIsland. You can also visit TheCarpet Outlet in Salt Lake orother flooring outlets through-out Hawaii.

Reasons to choose LVTflooring:

Homeowners interested in

renovating their flooring maybe wondering what the big dealis with LVT (Luxury VinylTile). Here are a few benefitsyou get with LVT flooring:

• Durability: Vinyl floors areeasy to maintain and care for,especially with people whohave kids or pets

• Moisture resistance: LVT ismore resistant to water thanhardwood and laminate typeproducts

• Softer underfoot: LVT issofter on your feet and body

DEC. 18, 2011 | HAWAII RENOVATION | 3

HAWAIIRENOVATION

WAYNE’S F L O O R I N G A M E R I C A

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waynesflooringhawaii.com

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Appointments for free estimates on projects, contact us

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with Four Generations of Experience.

The renewable energy taxcredits offered by both thefederal and state taxing

authorities are the cornerstone ofthe solar industry and its marketingprograms. This tax incentive cansubsidize up to 65 percent of the costof both solar water heating and pho-tovoltaic (PV) systems, making thedecision to go green a virtual no-brainer for most consumers.

It is imperative that taxpayers geta clear understanding of exactly howthese tax credits work to avoid get-ting any surprises or disappointmentafter their returns are filed and theactual refunds don’t quite measureup to their expectations.

These are the basic premises:

• To utilize the tax credits, the tax-payer must incur income tax liability

• Federal — an unlimited 30 percentof cost; unused credits in that tax yearare carried forward to future tax years

• State of Hawaii — 35 percent ofcost, but limited to a $5,000 cap perqualified PV system; $2,250 cap persolar water heater; unused creditscarry forward to future tax years

• If a taxpayer has little or no taxliability on the Hawaii tax return(income consists of non-taxable pen-sions), a 24.5 percent tax rebate canbe elected in lieu of the 35 percenttax credit

In calculating the applicable taxcredit, the following assumptionsare made:

1) A 30-panel PV system, qualify-

ing as “three systems,” amounts to$45,000 gross price.

2) For federal credit, $45,000 ismultiplied by .30 for a total of $13,500.

3) The federal gross tax liability is$15,000.

4) For federal net tax liability,$13,500 is subtracted from $15,000,totaling $1,500.

5) No credits to carry forward.

6) The total income tax withheldis $16,000.

7) For the tax refund, $1,500 is sub-tracted from $16,000, totaling $14,500($13,500 attributed to tax credit).

The same procedure applies tocalculating the Hawaii credit:

1) For state credit, $45,000 is mul-tiplied by .35, totaling $15,750 butlimited to the $15,000 cap.

2) The state gross tax liability is$8,000.

3) For the state net tax liability,$8,000 is subtracted from $8,000,totaling 0.

4) The credit to be carried for-ward is $15,000 minus $8,000, total-ing $7,000.

5) Total income tax withheld is$7,500.

6) For the tax refund, nothing is sub-tracted from $7,500. Is $500 “missing?”

In this scenario, several contradic-tions may appear to have occurred.The $28,500 of tax credits is only 63.33percent of the purchase price, not theoften-quoted 65 percent. This lies withthe Hawaii $5,000 per system cap.

The total refund attributed to theenergy credits is a combined $21,000($13,500 + $7,500), not the anticipated$28,500. This occurs because $7,000will be carried forward on the statereturn.

Finally, what happened to the“missing” $500 of the state credit?The credit applied is $8,000, but therefund is only $7,500. The answer isnothing. That amount was neverpaid to the state as either tax with-holding, estimated tax payments orpast tax refunds applied to the fol-lowing year. While the net tax liabil-ity was reduced to zero ($8,000 -$8,000), the total taxes actuallywithheld was $7,500.

While the renewable energy cred-its are an integral part of the deci-sion to “go solar,” consumers mustbe wary of companies that over-emphasize that part of the equation.Some have gone so far as to illus-trate 33 panels as “five systems” forthe Hawaii tax credit, whereas“three systems” are more likely to beaccepted. But, it’s up to the taxpayerto make the claim, not the solar com-pany. In the event that the taxdepartment challenges the claim, theconsumer will be the one to “takethe hit” in an adverse ruling. Therehave already been reports of a“crackdown” by the tax departmentin this regard.

For information on designing effi-cient and economical solar systems,call Hi-Power Solar at 342-0802.


on

HAWAIIRENOVATION

411The

energy tax credits

HI-POWERSOLAR

CONTACT: 342-0802 •

Hi-PowerSolar.com

renewable

BY KAREN NAKAMURA

Planning for the holi-days is a busy and joy-ful time. But all of the

decorations, extra electrical

cords and the parade ofpeople going in and out ofyour home call for moresafety precautions to helpyou make this holiday sea-son safe and happy for you

and your family. Here’s a checklist for

home holiday safety:• Ask a friend or neigh-

bor to watch your houseand take in your newspaperand mail if you plan tospend the holidays awayfrom home. Put lightsthroughout the house ontimers to turn them on andoff in your normal livingpattern.

• If you display a liveChristmas tree or livegreenery, select the fresh-est possible. A moist tree isless likely to catch fire.Look for a trunk sticky withsap and for green needlesthat bend and are secure onthe branches.

• When using a liveChristmas tree, cut the baseat a 45-degree angle.

Place it in acontainer withwater andalways keepthe water level abovethe cut.

• Place trees a safe dis-tance from stoves, radia-tors, vents, fireplaces andany other heat source thatmay dry the tree. Inspectthe tree for dryness daily.

• Inspect all holiday lightwiring. Defective, worn orfrayed electrical wiringshould be thrown away.Check for the UL label onlights. Also, be sure to usefixtures specifically design-ed for outdoor use if youdecorate your house, treesor yard.

• Use no more than threelight sets on any one exten-sion cord. Also, don’t run

electrical cords underrugs. Be sure alllights areturned off

before you go tobed or leavethe house.

• Placecandles and

other open flames awayfrom decorations. Neverleave burning candles

unattended and alwayssupervise children whenburning candles.

• Keep a fire extinguishernear your Christmas tree.Make sure your family hasa fire emergency escapeplan. In case of fire, leaveyour home and call for helpfrom a neighbor’s home.

• When buying artificialdecorations, check for“flameproof” or “fire retar-dant” qualities.

• Never burn wrappingpaper in a fireplace orwood stove. Certain inkpigments react with heatand create airborne partic-ulates that are dangerous

to inhale. Also don’t burnevergreens, they couldflare out of control andsend flames and smokeinto your house.

• Cooking is a leadingcause of home fires andhome fire injuries. Whenyou cook, be sure to wearclothes that fit close to thebody so they won’t be ignit-ed by hot burners. Do notleave items cooking on thestove and be sure that pothandles are turned in.

• The decorationsaround your house, lights,gifts, music and the pres-ence of loved ones makethe holiday season festiveand fun, and with the prop-er precautions, safe.

Learn more abouthome safety, mainte-nance and homeowner-ship at www. adviceatbia-hawaii.org.

Karen Nakamura is execu-tive vice president/CEO of theBuilding Industry Associationof Hawaii.

YEAR ENDSALE

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Seasonal Safety Tips

To thank allof our loyal customerswho’ve made AWSHawaii’s #1 Distributorwe are offering a 10% DISCOUNT,and FREE delivery for allWhite Lava Products:White Lava, Tropical Roofshield,Acry-Chem Roofshield, HA Solarguard, Lava Deck, Tropical Silicone*Certain restrictions apply. Show this ad at time of purchase.

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Selecting the properroof coating systemcan get pretty con-

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All Weather SurfacesHawaii can help ensurethat you receive the bestadvice for your particularapplication.

Choosing The RightType

There are three maintypes of fluid-applied

roof coatings that workwell in Hawaii’s climate.

1. Acrylic ElastomericSystems. These are by farthe most popular andwidely used type of roofcoating. They’ve beenaround since the 1980s,and have proven to be anextremely effective meansof water-proofing a roofstructure.

They exhibit tremen-dous reflective propertiesthat substantially cool theroof surface along withthe interior of the struc-ture. They can be used asa coating only, or used

with a polyester fabricreinforcement for thebest long-term results.Also, extended war-ranties are availablethrough licensed applica-tors.

2. Polyurethane Elasto-meric Systems. Again,polyurethane roofing sys-tems have been aroundfor many years, and arewidely used for water-proofing roofs. They havesimilar cooling benefits,and are less susceptibleto “ponding water” condi-tions than their acryliccounterparts. Pricing and

application are in linewith an acrylic system,and extended warrantiesare available throughlicensed applicators.

3. Silicone ElastomericSystems. High-volumesolids (95 percent orgreater) silicone roofingsystems are the newest inthe fluid-applied roofcoating arsenal. Althoughsilicone technology hasbeen around for ages, the“high volume solids” ver-sion is fairly new. Thesesystems have taken theindustry by storm. Withtheir ease of application,

minimal fabric reinforce-ment requirements andresistance to “pondedwater,” silicone contin-ues to be the choice ofmany licensed applica-tors and homeownersalike. But be realisticwhen choosing a warran-ty that may be “too goodto be true.”

Not All Coatings AreCreated Equal

When buying anacrylic product, look forqualifications such asASTM D-6083 or FM4470 Class I. These letyou know the system has

been tested and meetsthe highest of standards.Polyurethane systemswill have similar ASTMqualification listings.Silicones have limitedamount qualifications incomparison, but be cer-tain that you are buyingthe high-volume solidsversion because the restis just not the same.

As always, call theexperts at All WeatherSurfaces at 487-3043 tofind out what system willwork best for your appli-cation and budget, andgood luck with your proj-ect!


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ALL WEATHERS U R F A C E S H A W A I I

ADDRESS: 99-890 IWAENA ST.

CONTACT: 487-3043

on theUp

BY SARAH PACHECO

Lighthouse Solar has made greatstrides toward being “part of thesolution” since its inception in

2006. In a span of only five years, thecompany has become one of the largestsolar and photovoltaic-energy installersin the nation, with 14 locations coast-to-coast as well as its own brand of cutting-edge solar energy panels. Impressedwith Lighthouse Solar’s high businessstandards and environmentally friendlypractices, Mark Kelley decided to open afranchise of his own in October 2009 asa way to help Hawaii homeowners savesome of their hard-earned money.

“Living in the state with the highestenergy costs in the country, I felt thathelping people save money on energycosts, as well as reducing our dependen-cy on imported oil, was the perfect rea-

son to open up a local franchise,”explained Kelley, franchise owner/oper-ator. “With rising energy costs and thecost of electricity here in the state ofHawaii, there’s large financial savingsavailable to both residential and com-mercial customers.”

Besides helping reduce customers’electric bills, Lighthouse Solar saves cus-tomers the headache that often comeswith home improvement projects byoperating under a vertically integratedbusiness model.

“We focus on all aspects of (the) solarindustry, from design and manufactur-

ing to technical sales, sys-tem design and systeminstallation,” said Kelley.That means no middlemen.Instead, every customerreceives individualizedservice from start to finish,thanks to a staff of highlytrained Technical SalesEngineers, who are all cer-tified by NABCEP (theNorth American Board ofCertified Energy Practi-tioners), the “gold stan-

dard” for PV and solar thermal installa-tion certification.

“We collectively have more than 40years’ experience in the solar energyindustry,” noted Kelley, “and we arefully bonded and insured.”

In addition to its outstanding cus-tomer service, Lighthouse Solar remainsan innovator in solar electric systemsthanks to its own brand of solar energypanels called Lumos (www.lumos.com),which are much more durable, energy-efficient, cost-effective and modern indesign than traditional panels.

“Our panels rate among the highest

quality in the world and are warrantedfor 25 years,” Kelley said. “And becausewe manufacture our own solar panels,we are able to pass our savings on mate-rials to our customers.

“In this competitive solar market-place, Lighthouse Solar has the advan-tage of being able to save customers agreat amount of money because of ourpanels,” he adds. “Customers are alwayssurprised at the large savings available.”

As if that wasn’t enough, everyLighthouse Solar system includes aLimited Lifetime WorkmanshipWarranty and the revolutionaryLightgauge data-monitoring system(allowing customers to monitor theirsolar/PV system’s energy productionand household energy consumption inreal-time), free of cost. LighthouseSolar is located at 1040 Sand IslandParkway, Suite 100, and it services resi-dential and commercial homes as wellas businesses on Oahu and all NeighborIslands. To learn more about the com-pany or to get a free proposal, call theoffice at 783-0357 or visit theLighthouse Solar website at www.light-housesolar.com.

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It’s the holiday seasonand Akamai PestSolutions wants to

wish everyone a MerryChristmas and a HappyNew Year. We also wouldlike to thank everyonewho has chosen the saferand less intrusive methodof treating their homes andbusinesses with XT-2000orange oil. We also wouldlike to thank our cus-tomers for referring theirfriends, neighbors andohana. Without you, ourcustomer, we could notcontinue to grow. We arecompleting our eighth yeardoing the orange oil treat-ments and we expect 2012to be our best year yet.

With the holidays upon

us it’s so humbug to have tomove out, bag food andtake care of so many otherinconveniences. We cantreat your home and busi-ness without interferingwith your holiday plans.Unfortunately, termitesdon’t take holidays. As partof our continuing commit-ment to excellence, AkamaiPest Solutions is incorpo-rating as much new tech-nology as possible into ourefforts to locate anddestroy the drywood ter-mites in any structure.

Just to let our currentand future customersknow, Akamai PestSolutions does offer subter-ranean termite treatmentsfor your home or business.

This process requires aregular termiticide productwhich can leave a longresidual for long-term pro-tection. Please contact usfor more information or toarrange an inspection.Remember that subter-ranean termites can doserious damage in a rela-tively short period of time.So when you see swarmingtermites remember thatdrywood and subterraneantermites both swarm.

Call Akamai PestSolutions for a free esti-mate and consultation andjoin the others who haveexperienced the advan-tages of XT-2000 orangeoil treatments instead offumigation with toxic gas.


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AKAMAI P E S T S O L U T I O N S

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Making the holidays less hecticwith orange oil treatments

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We also sell Portable A/C’s, Split Systems, Window & Thru the Wall A/C’s, Flush Mount A/C’s

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Ph: 808.833.8338Fax: 808.833.8339

On select colors, While supplies

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NEW CABINET STYLES IN STOCK!

If you’re looking for a holidaygift the whole family willappreciate, how about a new

air conditioning system to pro-vide your home with clean, coolair and warmth as well during thecool winter months? A new duct-less split system is a gift thatkeeps on giving.

“Now is the best time to buy anew air conditioning system toensure that it will be in place bythe holidays,” said AireConditioner Shoppe owner NeilWiedemann.

“This is also a good time toschedule servicing for your exist-ing ductless split system so it willbe operating with maximum effi-ciency when entertaining guests.”

The latest ductless split sys-tems provide zoned comfort andare engineered to install quicklyand easily. These revolutionarynew systems available from theAire Conditioner Shoppe, whichspecializes in Fujitsu andMitsubishi, provide both heatingand cooling with a push of a but-ton on the remote control. Theyalso provide individual tempera-ture control throughout yourhome or business so each room,

zone, or floor will be the temper-ature you set.

Concerned about air quality? These systems have the capa-

bility to filter out dust, moldspores and microorganisms. TheDry Mode helps to controlhumidity levels, even when cool-ing isn’t needed. Other standardfeatures include Sleep Timer

Auto Changeover, 24-HourTimer Cold Prevention, AutoRestart/Reset Low Ambient, andAuto Louver-Up/Down, Left/Right.

Concerned about appearance? The cooling-only wall-mount-

ed units, designed for singlerooms, are slim and stylish.Indoor units have a clean, aesthet-ic design and are powerful,though small and shorter inlength than competing units.They can blend into any roomand are ideal for areas with spacelimitations. The variable speedcompressor helps systems adaptto shifts in heat load caused byafternoon sun.

Concerned about noise? If sound coming from your cur-

rent system interferes with listen-

ing to music, TV, conversation oreven falling asleep, it’s time to trya new ductless split system.These new air conditioning unitsare so quiet you won’t even knowthey’re on.

How about cost? “A new efficient ductless split

system can keep you comfortablein your home for pennies a day ...and the higher the SEER(Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio),the more you save on electric,”Wiedemann said.

“The operative word is ‘effi-cient’ — old or malfunctioning airconditioning systems are energyhogs that don’t do the job effec-tively and run up your electricitybills.” He pointed out that splitductless systems can be just asefficient as central air condition-ing, or more efficient in terms ofenergy savings, depending on thelifestyle of the homeowner.

Wiedemann, who has been inthe air conditioning businesssince 1979, sells and installs splitductless systems on Oahu, as wellas portable air conditioners. Healso sells the less expensive win-dow units that are often thechoice for apartments, condosand houses.

“Even the window air condi-tioning units have been exten-sively improved both in efficien-cy and appearance. However, thetenant and/or owner needs toobtain permission from the man-agement company and/or apart-ment owners association to installany type of air conditioning,” headded.

Both ductless split systems andwindow air conditioners are ondisplay at the Aire ConditionerShoppe showroom in Waipio andalso shown and described on thewebsite, www.aireconditioner-


HAWAIIRENOVATION

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Give your family the perfect gift by addinga comfortable climate to your home

Photovoltaics is creat-ing quite a buzzamong Hawaii

homeowners. Also knownas PV, photovoltaics is aform of solar powering.

“But instead of heatingyour water, it actually pro-duces electricity,” explainsChad Matsumoto, who co-owns Alternative Electricwith Bronson Apana.

Although the upfrontcosts may be high, there aremany benefits that makePV a wise overall invest-ment, and Matsumotooffers these examples:

Lower monthly electricbill

This may be the mostrecognizable benefit.Alternative Electric offersfree consultations and esti-mates on how many PVpanels are needed.

A company representa-tive visits a home andlooks at its roof design,

electrical set up, electricalconsumption and a home-owner’s budget before rec-ommending a suitable sys-tem.

Tax creditsAlthough the initial cost

for PV is high, many peo-ple may overlook the taxcredits. State and federalsolar energy income taxcredits can reimburse upto 65 percent of the cost ofa solar system.

Preserves the naturalenvironment and improvesair quality

Hawaii’s electricitymainly is generated fromfossil fuels. By producingelectricity with PV sys-

tems, Hawaii can decreaseoil demand and greenhouse gas emissions.

Investment purposes A PV system is one of

the best investments ahomeowner can make.After tax credits, the pay-back on a PV system isapproximately six to eightyears, and maybe evensooner as the cost of elec-tricity rises.

After the system paysfor itself, a homeownercan enjoy 17 to 19 years ofvirtually maintenance-free electric production.A PV system also increas-es the value of a home. Itincreases equity and it’s ahot seller, according tosome Realtors.

Alternative Electricdesigns, installs and main-tains solar PV systems.

“We take care of allphases of PV installations,so homeowners get the

best quality materials,design and workman-ship,” says Matsumoto.“We are also a full-serviceelectrical contractoroffering residential andcommercial electricalservices as well as photo-voltaics.”

Hawaii’s year-roundsunshine makes it one ofthe most efficient solarenergy sites in the world.For a free estimate or con-sultation, call AlternativeElectric at 630-6741 or285-3663.

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level or at least above the heartand in a manner that makesthem “smile” (ends facing up).Any decorations with ends thathang down may create adepressed or subconscious neg-ative energy.

Light from all anglesAvoid lighting that casts

unnatural colors into theroom. Use a combination ofoverhead and other lighting.Using only overhead lightingcan create an energetic drain,causing discomfort and rest-lessness. As a complement tooverhead lights, use holidaycandles, side lamps and deco-rative table lighting to add thefeeling of coziness.

Minimize redAlthough red is a traditional

Christmas color, it representsthe fire element in feng shui, andtoo much of it can work againstyou. While having fire energy ispositive and uplifting, an over-load of fire can create over-excited energy andlead to emotional out-bursts, burnout andfatigue. The low ener-gy that many peoplefeel after the holidaysis often created by anunbalanced fire ele-ment in theirChristmas decora-tions.

Use calm colorsAs an alternative to

red or to balance

excessive red, use green as thebase color for your decorations.Green brings in the element ofwood and the color of healing tohelp relieve and defuse stress bybringing the essence of natureinto your home. Blue and silver— a contemporary Christmas

color combination — bring thewater and metal elements intoyour home and promote a fresh,calming energy that can also behealing and supportive duringthe holiday season.

Light some candlesCandles add positivity to the

feng shui of a space on many lev-els, but the most overlookedbenefit is that they purify theenergy in a space (especially ifyou use soy or beeswax can-dles). Fire cleanses the energy,and the soft glow it createssoothes emotional imbalance.Use candles in your bedroomand bathroom, or at the diningtable, or in the living room.

Stimulate your olfactory sensesThe air you breathe has a pro-

found effect on your mood. Usepure essential oils to introduce afresh fragrance and to add to thepositive ambiance. Pine,cypress, eucalyptus, sweet tan-gerine and lemon are detoxify-ing, cleansing and rejuvenating,while cinnamon and cloves are

calming and create harmoniousenergy.

Bring in cleansing plantsIn addition to your regular

houseplants, bring in at least oneor two air purifying plants to addbeauty and grace to the space,clean the air, and clear and calmthe energy. In Hawaii, someeasy-to-acquire air purifyingindoor plants are the Peace Lily,the Areca palm and theDracaena Janet Craig.

A Feng Shui ChristmasFeng shui is all about creating

a home that has healing andnourishing energy, a must duringthe holiday season. Remember, ifyou take care of the quality of theenergy in your home, your ownenergy gets stronger and morebalanced, a perfect transition foryour whole family as you pre-pare to move into 2012!

Feng shui expert and life guideAlice Inoue offers books, DVD’s,workshops and private consulta-tions. Visit www.aliceinspired.com.

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FROM PAGE 2

Imagine getting a checkfrom the utility compa-ny each month instead

of paying them! How is thispossible? Thanks go to thefeed-in tariff (“FIT”), whichmandates the utility must-give its customers a fixedprice for energy producedand returned into the gridunder the FIT program.

Manoa homeownerKenneth Chang is doingjust that. He received hisfirst check for $1,344 fromHECO in November, andwill continue to receive

monthly checks for the next20 years for power generat-ed by his RevoluSun-designed and installed solarsystem. Based on his firstcheck, Chang should endup making nearly $320,000in the next two decades

through his system. “In 2009 I contacted

RevoluSun to learn moreabout solar energy, andthey walked me through thedesign and options for myhome. RevoluSun projectdeveloper Abbie Willowmade the entire processstress-free — the installa-tion was simple and effi-cient, and now I get only amonthly $15.99 bill foradministrative fees fromHECO, when before I waspaying over $120 eachmonth for energy,” saidChang. “Then last year,Abbie told me about thefeed-in tariff. The idea thatI could add to my systemand get paid by HECO wastoo good to pass up. Weinstalled the FIT system inAugust, and now I’m get-

ting paid to make clean,renewable energy!”

Chang is also amonghomeowners who havejoined the RevoluSun tovirtually eliminate theirmonthly electric bill, andnow are looking to makeeven more solar energy tosell back to the utility,which is a little more than$0.27 per kWh for home-owners.

“We recommend Hawaiihomeowners first install anet metered system, whichmakes enough solar energyto offset their actual usage

energy consumption,” saidEric Carlson, RevoluSunprincipal. “After that, if thehome has enough roofspace, a homeowner canadd a FIT system, whichactually makes them moneywhile at the same time itcreates clean energy. It’s awin-win for both the home-owner and Hawaii!”

Chang’s net metered sys-tem is a 4.1 kW system, andthe FIT system is a 16.7 kWsystem. Driving by, you willsee 88 SunPower panels onhis roof, pumping out greenenergy every day.

“We at Hawaiian ElectricCompany salute KennethChang of Manoa, our firstresidential customer onOahu to sign up for the Tier1 Feed-in Tariff,” said ScottSeu, Hawaiian Electric vicepresident for energyresources. “The FIT pro-vides a fixed contract andfixed payment to make iteasy for people to sellrenewable energy to us.Working with RevoluSun,Mr. Chang is going beyondproducing renewable ener-

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gy for his own use —under the FIT he is pro-ducing clean energy forour island and is helpingHawaii reduce its use of

imported oil.”The feed-in tariff and net

energy metering are twoways HECO customers canbenefit from producingrenewable energy on theirsites. With energy-efficientappliances and lighting,solar water heating and theright size photovoltaic sys-tem, homeowners make apositive difference todayand into the future.

“Kenneth is a modelRevoluSunary — not onlydoes he offset his own ener-gy bill and spread the solarword through solar openhouses at his home, butnow he is making solarenergy for others to use,”said Abbie Willow,

RevoluSun project de-veloper. “By taking advan-tage of various governmentincentives, his investmentwill pay off quickly andhe’ll soon be making a prof-it.”

To learn more, visit asolar open house held eachweekend on Oahu or regis-ter for a free solar seminarat www.RevoluSun.com orby calling 748-8888.

“It’s been an interestingjourney, but one I’m so gladI’ve made,” Chang said. “Infact, when the HECOinspector came out to lookat my new FIT system, hetold me, ‘Kenneth, you’relike Star Trek — you’regoing where no man has

gone before.’ It’s true! I’mthe first, but I’m sure thefirst of many, when peoplerealize what a great invest-ment this is.”

For more information,visit HECO’s website atwww.heco.com/portal/site/heco. RevoluSun hasdesigned and installedmore residential photo-voltaic projects in 2010 and2011 than any other compa-ny and offers free energyevaluations to homeown-ers, which allow for cus-tomized systems based oneach home’s unique energyneeds. To schedule yourfree energy evaluation, call748-8888 or visit us atwww.RevoluSun.com.


HAWAIIRENOVATION

shoppe.com. The compa-ny installs, repairs andservices what they sell.For 10 years running,Fujitsu has namedWiedemann “Dealer ofthe Year.”

The company offersfree on-site estimates and

design consultation. “When our estimator

reviews your needs andyou make a decision onthe system you want toinstall, you will have aquote the next day byphone or fax. If the cus-tomer is satisfied, wedraw up the contract.

Once I set a price, it’s firmand it will be guaranteedthe lowest available pricewith the same equip-ment,” Wiedemann said.

To make an appoint-ment to meet with an esti-mator at your home oroffice, call Wiedemann at676-1455.

FROM PAGE 9

FROM PAGE 12

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Hawaii-Private-Loans.com is part of a rapidlygrowing community of

real estate investors andRealtors, located all acrossNorth America, who specializein buying and selling homeswith owner financing.

By completing a simple buyerprofile at Hawaii-Private-Loans.com — an analysis thatindicates what sort of home youwould like, where you want tolive and what you can afford —you will be part of the compa-ny’s network of members whowill immediately start workingto find homes that match yourrequirements.

Whenever a member finds ahome that matches your needs,you will receive an automaticemail giving you the address,pictures and details of thehome. Remember, however,that the company can onlysend you homes that matchyour criteria. In general, buy-ers are often able to move intotheir home within 10 to 16 days

after seeing it for the first time.

We may have already foundthe home for you

Why not fill out a free buyerprofile and find out if we canquickly locate your dreamhouse? The profile can be foundonline at www.Hawaii-Private-Loans.com.

Additionally, you can get afree copy of Home Buyer’sGuide at the aforementionedwebsite. The guide helps read-ers discover how to escape therental trap as well as purchasetheir dream home without theneed for banks and creditchecks. The guide also will shedlight on:

• The shocking truth aboutrenting: Is it setting you backfinancially?

•The single most powerfulstrategy to own a home withoutthe banks

• The five things you mustknow to protect yourself in anycreative finance transaction

• The cold hard facts of whatit costs to rent a home and whyyou can’t afford to keep payingyour landlord’s mortgage

A Typical Hard Money LoanA couple in Waipahu wants to

build a convalescent home as anaddition to their house. Theyhave a lot of equity in the homebut the banks are unable to loanfor one reason or another. Evenwith three or four contracts fornew tenants in this care home,operators still have trouble con-vincing the banks to loan themconstruction funds at times.Once contracts are in place for

new clients, operators often-times need to get these addition-al rooms and bathrooms built assoon as possible. After the addi-tion is complete and the tenantshave moved in, the value of theproperty will be such that thebanks will be happy to loan orrefinance the property.

Hard Money is one answer tothis problem. While expensive,

it is short term and has fewrequirements with the moneybeing based on a real estateasset.

Want to sell fast and for fullprice?

Owner financing may be yourhidden solution too! Visitwww.QuickSell.info or callPacific Investment at 988-2000.


HAWAIIRENOVATION

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With the holidaysin full swingand with 2012

just around the corner,ReliableParts wants tothank everyone for theirpatronage throughout the

year. Although the joyand stress of the holidayscan be a lot to handle,luckily for us there isReliableParts. They maynot have the fixings for aChristmas dinner, butthey do have the productsto help you with yourend-of-the-year cleaning.ReliableParts also has a

vast selection of stockingstuffers. For the cook orbaker in the house, theyhave one of the mostextensive lines ofKitchenAid countertopappliances and acces-sories in the islands.

Having a barbecue holi-day? ReliableParts has allthe grill accessories youwill ever need to makeyour holiday barbecue atruly memorable one.They also have unique hotsauces and mixes to spiceup your holiday spirit.

If you’re cooking athome and an applianceneeds fixing, Reliable-Parts has the parts thatyou will need to do itright. By the way, if youhaven’t already done so,it’s probably a good timeto check your range. Makesure it’s ready to go whenyou start your Christmasmeal. Remember when

you are attempting anyrepairs to use all safetyprocedures and precau-tions. If you think youwill need a repair person,you can look them up inthe yellow pages oronline. You may want tocheck the reviews orcomments about thatservice company beforecalling them.

When replacing yourold appliances, please be

environmentally friendlyand dispose of themproperly or have thecompany that you arebuying your new appli-ances from dispose ofthem for you.

Look for us online atwww.partshawaii .comand check us out atSeekItLocal.com or giveus a call at 676-2664(Waipahu) and 847-3271(Honolulu).

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Having your roof replacedis a big undertaking. Notonly does it affect your

schedule and your home, it alsohas the potential to disturb yourneighbors. While this is not somuch a factor if your home islarge and on an acre of land, forhomes that are in town, the dis-turbance can be much more pal-pable.

If you have never had yourroof replaced and are consider-ing having it done, here are someof the things you can expect tohave happen during the replace-ment:

ConsultationThe first thing that you can

expect with a roof replacementis a consultation with a few dif-ferent roofing contractors. Youwill need to get a few writtenestimates so that you can com-pare prices, time frames andthe work that will be done. It isvery important to take this stepseriously and solicit as manyconsultations as you need untilyou find someone who is notonly knowledgeable and expe-rienced, but who also makesyou feel comfortable with hiswork.

Once you accept a contract,you will be given dates for whenthe replacement will occur. Thisis usually a ballpark figure, asopposed to dates set in stone,because rain delays invariablyhappen. However, be wary of the

contractor who keeps pushing offyour job, even when the rainshave been non-existent. Do notbe afraid to ask them when thework will be completed and callthem if you feel you are being putoff.

The JobDepending on the size of

your roof and what needs to bedone, the job may take any-where from a day to a week.Larger roofs with a variety ofheights and angles will takemore time than smaller, less

complicated roofs. On the firstday of the job, most roofing con-tractors will hire a dumpster thatwill be placed in your yard,driveway or the street area infront of your home.

Contractors may also coveryour shrubs and plants with dropcloths to prevent them from dam-age should old roofing materialfall on them. It is a good idea toask them if they will be coveringyour plants, so that you can dothis ahead of time should it not bepart of their prep work. Youshould also park your cars away

from the dumpster and work area.On the first day, the roofers

will pull up shingles and tossthem into the dumpster. Theremay be the sounds of powertools depending on the type ofroof you currently have and howit is attached to your rafters.

Murakami Roofing Service isbased out of Kaneohe, and spe-cializes in residential and lightcommercial roofing — both fulland partial re-roof. The compa-ny also specializes in rooftopcoating to help cool down yourhouse, and it has the ability toreplace and repair dry rot andtermite-eaten roofs prior toinstalling the roof top.

For free estimates, callClinton at 348-8270 or [email protected].

BACKPAGECOVERSTORY

TheRoofing Expert

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Hawaii Renovation Dec 18 2011