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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, December 13, 2007

Ni'ihau school first in state to be powered solely by the sun

Advertiser Staff

Ni'ihau Island School has become the first in the state to be powered entirely by solar energy following the installation of a photovoltaic power system with battery storage.

The total cost for the system was $207,000, provided by a Community Facilities Economic Impact Initiative Grant from the USDA Rural Development, the County Energy Extension Service and the state Department of Education.

The school serves about 30 students in grades K-12.

Prior to the new solar power system, computers were not readily available, and only battery- or generator-operated electronic teaching aids could be used because of the school's lack of reliable power.

— Advertiser Staff

TEACHERS LIKE GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS, SURVEY FINDS

Parents should step away from those fancy packages of tea or coffee and just say "no" to the Santa mugs when holiday shopping for gifts for teachers.

Gift cards — especially those that provide easy access to books or caffeine — are what teachers would like this holiday season.

The Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader surveyed 100 teachers, and 48 percent said gift cards would be an ideal present. Book sellers, educational retail stores and Starbucks were the most popular stores cited in the survey, which was distributed by e-mail to teachers who participate in the Herald-Leader Newspapers in Education program.

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