Another Maui wind farm proposed

Kaheawa Wind Power II LLC said recently it is proposing a 21-megawatt wind power generating facility on 333 acres at Kaheawa Pastures in Maui. The facility would provide wind-generated electricity to Maui Electric Co.

It would be built on land adjacent to the existing wind power facilities and have 14 General Electric 1.5-megawatt wind turbine generators. It has an expected life span of 20 years, after which the owner would extend the lease or remove the turbines.

The project would also include new internal service roads, an operations and maintenance building, and an electrical substation.

DCCA highlights savings this week

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is joining government and financial agencies to raise awareness about savings during America Saves Week, which runs through Sunday.

As part of America Saves Week, the DCCA will have an information display on the second floor of the DCCA building (King Kalakaua Building, 335 Merchant St.). Free investor education materials will be available.

Visit http://www.investing.hawaii.gov to report fraud or www.americasavesweek.org to learn more about America Saves Week.

Timber bamboo to be harvested

The first crop of timber bamboo will be harvested in East Maui this year.

Rich von Wellsheim and his staff at Whispering Winds Bamboo in Kipahulu have spent the last five years growing up to 13 different species of bamboo.

They hope the bamboo will become timber grade or a certifiable construction material.

Whispering Winds has timber-grade bamboo growing on about 20 of its 180 acres.

Samples of the bamboo will be tested in a mainland laboratory charged with ensuring that the bamboo is of quality grade and can be used as a construction material in the United States.