QUESTION: I am considering getting solar to replace most of the electricity I need. There are many different methods, companies and prices. Where can I go for information to evaluate and compare before I buy?

ANSWER: We couldn't find anyplace where you could directly compare systems, companies and prices, but you can get helpful information from both the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Go to hsblinks.com/1ok for information on solar maps showing the peak sun hours at various areas of all islands; links to Web sites providing information on solar systems; and information on state and federal tax credits for solar water heating and photovoltaic systems.

At hsblinks.com/1ol, you can download the Department of Energy's “;Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity for the Home.”;

A POSSIBLE DEFENSE

Regarding Shari L.'s “;Auwe”; in last Saturday's Kokua Line: I can understand that a law-abiding citizen would be upset when he or she sees a motorist commit a violation in front of a police officer who does nothing about it. But perhaps the officer was responding to a domestic case or a dropped 911 call, or thief in custody at Longs. While these are not typically “;blue light and siren”; calls, they are “;hot,”; and the officer will want to get to the scene as soon as possible. When an officer en route to a case sees a traffic violation, he or she has to decide whether it's more important to effect the traffic stop or to proceed to the assigned case. Enforcing traffic laws is important, but it's just one of many duties a patrol officer is responsible for. Hopefully, this is a reminder that there is more to a situation than what just one person sees. For some insight as to the daily decisions a patrol officer makes, I suggest signing up for the Ride-Along Program or checking out the Citizens Police Academy. Information on both can be found on the Honolulu Police Department's Web site or by calling the Community Affairs Section at 529-3351. — Randall P.

Thank you for pointing out the two HPD community outreach efforts.

Information about both the academy and ride-along, including eligible participants, can be found at hsblinks.com/1om.

HPD is continuing to accept applications for the academy, but no classes currently are scheduled because of the budget shortfall, a spokeswoman said.

The academy, begun in 1994, allows the public to meet with HPD members through a 12-week program, during which they learn about the different aspects of police work.

While the academy is in limbo, the public can still ride along with police, in a program meant to improve mutual understanding of police and community problems, improve the image of police, and promote careers in law enforcement.

Eligible to participate are visiting law enforcement officials; government officials; college students, as part of class work; HPD civilian employees; certified Police Explorer Scouts; people referred by school or career counselors; families and friends of officers requesting to ride with that officer; the news media; and “;others,”; at the discretion of the Community Affairs commander or district patrol commander.

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Write to “;Kokua Line”; at Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).