Impacts of the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant on Barre Kauai

Today, most of the attention is about increasing reliance on renewable energy, like solar and wind. In 2001, Hawaii led the nation in establishing the first goals for the percentage of renewables by its utilities, with a target of 100% by 2045. A goal like this cannot be achieved unless energy efficiencies by homes and businesses get the same attention. In 2008, legislation was passed addressing this issue. Many of us don’t automatically think we have a role to play in achieving energy independence for the island, but we all do.

The funny looking, five letter acronym got me started on a story I totally enjoyed experiencing. I had set up a meeting with Christina Kaser, the Energy Coordinator at the Office of Economic Development and Kyle Cremer, Commercial Energy Services Specialist at KIUC. Before getting into the details, I want to share the best part of our conversation. Christina and Kyle got along like they were family. Two people, passionate about their work, with a fabulous rapport, is not something you simply take for granted, at least I don’t.

Of course, I had to first ask Christina how the grant came to life. It kind of evolved organically. KIUC has been doing energy audits for years, determining ways in which homes and businesses can save money on their electricity bills by implementing energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades of existing items and units. These include air conditioning, motors, lighting and refrigeration. Kyle invited her to go along on one of his energy audits in order to better understand the process.

In their prior conversations, Kyle had shared that this program could benefit from greater awareness, along with the addressing the challenge for a small business to be able to afford the labor for these upgrades. While KIUC’s program can pay up to 100% of material costs to replace existing items and units with more efficient equipment, installation posed a financial challenge, causing some applicants to reconsider.

Following Christina’s visit, the two of them discussed how they could address this financial impediment, making it more accessible for small businesses. Kyle was continually running into potential candidates, who simply couldn’t afford moving forward. It is important to understand that the energy audit is quite a process, involving suggested equipment and cost savings over time. While it provides an invaluable education, the real value is in the implementation of these findings, which he shares with each business. It is then their choice if they want to proceed.

While I thought this was an ongoing OED grant situation, Christina shared it was only funded for about a year, or until set aside funds were expended. She immediately added there was a third partner in this effort, KEDB. The Kaua’i Economic Development Board, headed by Jackie Kaina, has been instrumental in making the SBEEG program come to life. Very often, they are like a silent partner, helping to make things happen on Kaua’i.

Christina pointed out that during the Covid pandemic, her predecessor, Ben Sullivan, ran a similar program for the residential sector, with a third party providing home energy audits. Going forward, this kind of planted the idea to explore a partnership between OED, KIUC and KEDB, addressing ways to support the commercial sector and for small businesses to realize energy savings.

Of course, I wanted to know how many businesses had already taken advantage of this program. RSK Holdings and Ace Auto Glass have successfully participated in the SBEEG program, with a third on the verge of completion. There are a number of others in various stages of exploring the possibilities. At the end of this story, I will provide contact information for both Christina and Kyle, because the real objective here is to let the Kauai business community know about this energy and cost saving opportunity. This is in keeping with one of the primary goals of the OED grant, which is to create greater awareness and participation in KIUC’s Commercial Energy Retrofit program and energy efficiency upgrades more affordable.

Prior to this grant proposal, Kyle has been doing energy audits since joining KIUC around five years ago. He added that this program has been around for approximately twenty years. His goal was to create much more awareness in the community about this cost saving initiative. Prior to joining, Kyle was Director of Engineering for a major hotel, giving him hands on experience in dealing with energy issues. Coming from that world has made him much more empathic in dealing with potential grant candidates.

Audits can be very expensive and KIUC provides this service at no cost to its members. The use of the word “members” by Kyle got my attention, rather than calling businesses customers. A co-op is quite different from a standard corporation. The former has more of a community service orientation, versus the primacy of shareholder profits with the latter. It’s a very big difference. Everything he does for the members is at no charge and that is very important to understand. So, as a small business, you have nothing to lose by getting in touch with Kyle, who makes the process as easy as possible.

Toward the end of our conversation, both of them agreed that without KEDB, OED and KIUC coming together, this program would not exist. Especially these days, it is great to know that cooperation is always the way forward. Just as we were finishing, I knew that best way to do justice to the efficacy of this venture was to speak with a grant recipient, Christina and Kyle agreed.

I was waiting outside the Barre Soul Studio in Kapaa, for Anna Bazalar-Braun, its founder and owner. I was looking forward to sitting down for a conversation about both her business and experience with SBEEG. We entered her newly, air-conditioned studio, thanks to the grant. Anna grabbed a couple of yoga mats and we sat on the floor and talked.

Whenever I am with anybody, who is part of Kui Kaua’i Stories, I want to know a little about their history. I want to know why they are doing whatever it is that makes their own story relevant to the one I am writing.

The first thing I wanted to know was what is Barre Soul about, because I consider it my job to ask questions some of you might have. Selfishly, I want you to keep reading and filling in some holes helps to make your ride a smooth one. Barre Soul is a ballet influenced physical regimen and it’s a full body workout. It incorporates, yoga, Pilates and Barre routines. It is geared primarily for women, creating a sense of community and empowerment. Anna was quick to correct me and said you guys are definitely welcome, too. She believes that both connection and movement are all about healing.

Of course, I wanted to know how this program came about. Anna led a very active lifestyle, competing in marathons and other tests of endurance and flexibility. Nearly 20 years ago, a serious knee injury forced her to re-examine her regimen, incorporating her dedication to physical activity with slightly compromised freedom of movement and exertion. Barre Soul was born out of necessity and she hasn’t looked back since her days in California, prior to moving here in 2012.

I had to ask what brought her here. The birth of her children and wanting them to be a part of this magical place is what made the decision for her. There were no Barre studios on island and in a way, she was destined to start her own, which she did.

I asked her to share why people should consider becoming part of this unique community. Strength, grace and feelings of empowerment head the list of reasons why Barre Soul could be right for you. Plus, the necessity for a rehab program, which is what got Anna going in the first place. I really liked the idea of creating a sense of belonging  and community, especially these days,

Now, it was time to find out about the story behind the SBEEG grant it was just perfect. Anna really needed a new AC system to replace her existing system and leave it to a good friend to lend a hand. Hope, her friend at Rutan Refrigeration initially told her about the existence of the grant from both KIUC and the County, the former addressing equipment needs and the latter dealing with installation costs. Early in her research, Anna couldn’t believe how simple it was to apply. She also wasn’t prepared for how generous the terms were for a small business like hers. She was shocked by both the level of simplicity and the speed at which it progressed. The same day she submitted the application, Kyle Cremer, Energy Specialist at KIUC, got in touch with her! From start to finish, the process only took two months!

I asked about her dealings with both Christina and Kyle and she had nothing, but glowing comments about her interactions with both of them. Normally, when you think about having to deal with entities like the County and large businesses, there is always a certain amount of trepidation. Anna could not have had a better experience.

Before finishing, I asked if she would recommend other small businesses explore the SBEEG program and I got a resounding yes. What more can you ask for?

Any small business on Kauai interested in lowering their energy bills by upgrading certain equipment should immediately visit the program website at https://kauaiforward.com/sbeeg/ and fill out KIUC’s interest form https://www.kiuc.coop/form/sbeeg. Questions? You can reach out to Christina Kaser at OED or Kyle Cremer at KIUC.