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$.22 per kwh is approximately the base rate for residential. You then have to go through the rate schedule and add in all the other "adjustments" which somehow never adjust the rate downward. Add in the customer charge, etc. and you are looking at somewhere around $.35+ on Oahu as of January. HECO's schedule looks like there is another rate adjustment beginning February 1st, 2010.
Adjustments and surcharges on the islands change fairly often and are partly based upon the current price of oil and coal.
<snip> doesn't density, weight and demand affect shipping costs? <snip> Furthermore, pursuant to your line of thought in your post, far too many shipping containers are returning to the mainland empty, and this is realized in the added costs of shipping goods to the Islands. The cost of shipping would be further decreased if there was revenue generated on the return trip.
A lot of these factors are determined by the method of shipment. Air is more expensive and is mostly affected by weight and not as much by volume. Ocean freight is by volume, not density. Which translates to potato chips via air are pretty cheap and bricks by barge are pretty cheap. There is also a factor of what category the shipping fits in. Manhole covers - which are fairly indestructible can be sent fairly cheap via ocean freight even though they are exceedingly heavy. The same weight and density of a delicate thing - perhaps this would be chocolate manhole covers - would be more expensive to ship.
I think the freighters load up along the West Coast, mostly in California, I think, then they show up in Honolulu and offload a lot of freight. I'm not sure if all, but some of the freighters then continue on south and go to the other islands such as Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, etc. then they swing back up to the West Coast again. I'm not certain of this, however.
Our hui ships in bulk food orders from the mainland and the prices - including shipping - are generally cheaper than what the same thing would sell for in the grocery stores. Sometimes even the exact same brand. We are buying retail on the mainland and paying shipping for pallet sized loads and still undercutting the grocery store prices. So, when they blame "shipping" as the reason for all the high prices, I'm not quite sure they are being entirely truthful.
There are some things which are shipped to the mainland, but not nearly enough things! We can use most of the foodstuffs ourselves, although a lot of feeder cattle are shipped to the mainland as well as a lot of foliage. There is probably a list or website somewhere which keeps track of things shipped in and out, it would be interesting to look at.
we just moved to Oahu, and haven't received our first electric bill yet, but we are renting a 3 brm condo and running our central AC a lot, because we find it a but too hot and stuffy during daytime. Can anyone give me an estimate what I should expect to pay for electricity this month? I also use the drier and we have an electric stove and water heater.
Thanks
Get ready for sticker shock, we have a 2 bedroom condo, electric stove, no washer or dryer and dont pay for hot water. When we use the ac everyday (which we dont very often) it can run as much as 300.00 per month.
Just talked to a neighbour ( we live live in Kalaeloa/Barber's Point). He says he runs his A/C 24/7 and pays around $200(??!) a month for the same 3 brm condo we have (plus, like us, they have a water heater, w/d, electric stove). He says all other bills (water, sewer, garbage) add up to around $500. Now I'm confused. I guess I'll have to wait for the bill to show up.
Rent/Insurance $ 1,350.00 Decent 1 bedroom
Groceries $ 500.00
Power $ 150.00
Cable/Internet $ 120.00
Misc. Saundries $ 50.00
Auto Fuel $ 150.00 - 1 Car
Registration/Misc $ 30.00 (Approx. $450/year)
Car Insurance $ 65.00
Dental/Medical Ins. $ 500.00
DON'T FORGET TO ADD: parking, cell phone, clothing, entertainment, professional services (e.g., haircuts, etc.), computer items, gifts, subscriptions, etc.
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Cost of Honolulu
