Conservation will be the focus of the third public meeting of South Maui Sustainability on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kihei Charter School. Carl Freedman, a long-range public utility planner; Hana Steel, recycling coordinator for Maui County; Sharon Suzuki, Maui Electric Company’s (MECO) Renewable Energy Services (RES) manager; and a representative from the Department of Water Supply, will be the featured speakers. A question-and-answer session will follow the speaker presentations.

Freedman will present “Vast Versus Practical: Our Individual Roles and Opportunities Towards Sustainability.” Freedman lives in Ha‘iku and works as a consultant in the field of long-range public utility planning and regulation. He has appeared many times before the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission as an expert witness regarding energy utility planning, rate cases, renewable energy projects and conservation programs. He was one of the early proponents and principal contributors to the Integrated Resource Planning and Energy Efficiency Programs for Hawai‘i’s electric utilities. Freedman is currently under contract to assist the Maui County Department of Water Supply with its Water Use and Development Plan.

Dr. Steel, the recycling coordinator for the County of Maui since 1991, will present a talk entitled “State of the Garbage.” She will provide a brief but in-depth look at the future of garbage for the county, as well as the South Maui community. Overviews of the new Integrated Solid Waste Management plan, which extends to the year 2042, will be discussed, and community and individual action steps will be recommended.

Sharon Suzuki will present “Conservation and Efficiency.” Suzuki, Maui Electric Company’s (MECO) Renewable Energy Services (RES) manager, oversees the company’s energy efficiency efforts.

A representative from the Department of Water Supply, will talk about water conservation and distribute low-flow water kits including: showerheads, faucet aerators and other devices.

Current recycling information, reusable grocery bags, CFLs (compact fluorescent lights), instant rebate coupons and a new booklet called, “101 Ways to Save” will be distributed after the talks.

Light pupu will be served. Admission is free.

Kihei Charter School is located at 300 Ohukai Road, # 209, in Kihei.