By Celeste Nakamoto-Farinas Owner of Beretania Florist

These days, it’s difficult to call a business that gives you personalized service and attention. For 75 years, Beretania Florist has prided itself in being there for your most memorable moments, planning your floral arrangements each step of the way.

This year marks the flower shop’s transition into its third generation of family ownership and my 25th year working alongside my parents, Howard and June Nakamoto.

Celeste Nakamoto-Farinas

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As my parents begin to step back from the dayto-day operations after taking over the business from my grandparents in 1968, we would like to say thank you. Throughout the years, Beretania Florist has developed lasting relationships with each of our customers, because you’ve included our flowers in your special occasions. We welcome our 76th year this winter because you continue to make us your family florist.

In June, Beretania Florist will introduce you to something new we hope will have you stopping by for more friendly conversation: Blooms by Beretania Florist. Featuring contemporary interior space arrangements of fresh-cut flowers, air plants and orchids, we are excited to share with you this new venture.

While some things change, Beretania Florist remains a family operation with the help of my husband, Larry Farinas, and our three children, whom you’ll often see at the shop during major holidays.

Find us on Facebook (facebook.com/beretaniaflorist) and on our website (beretaniaflorist.com). We’d love to hear your comments and share with you photos of the arrangements and specials we offer.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, don’t forget that we are just a phone call away from providing you with what my dad likes to say: “A happy flower day.”

Hawaii is one of the most expensive places to rent or buy real estate. In fact, the cost of living in Hawaii is 30 percent higher than the national average!

According to the Honolulu Board of Realtors, the median price of a single-family home on Oahu is $640,000 and a condo is $346,700.

A 30-year fixed mortgage at 3.5 percent will be approximately $2,900 a month for a home and $1,560 for a condo.

If you include property taxes and other costs, it could run an extra 5 percent.

In comparison, the average rental in Hawaii is $2,300 for a single family home and $1,500 for a condo. Renting may cost less now, but rents have doubled in Hawaii the past 20 years, whereas fixed mortgages are set for the life of the loan.

If you are trying to decide to either buy or rent, here are some things to take into consideration.

* How long will you live there? Renting is generally ideal for people living in a location less than three to five years. If you buy and sell within that time period, you might not get your return on investment. Selling costs and real estate commissions can amount to 6-8 percent of the total price, so if the property hasn’t appreciated by that amount, then you will sell at a loss. If you, however, plan to live in a place for a long period of time, better to pay for your mortgage and build equity instead of your landlord’s! According to a Zillow “rent vs. buy report,” it will take 11.5 years to break even if you buy a house in Haleiwa, 7.5 years in Kailua, 6.7 years in Honolulu, and 3.5 years in Ewa Beach. Visit artofthinkingsmart.com to see the full Zillow report and also the New York Times “rent vs. buy calculator.”

* Additional costs in owning a home. If you plan on buying a home, be prepared to pay additional costs. Unlike renting, you will have to take care of all maintenance issues. Some real estate experts recommend saving 1 percent of the home’s value for yearly maintenance fees.

You also will have to pay for homeowner’s insurance, which is higher than renter’s insurance.

There also are property taxes and water/sewage fees, which renters usually do not pay.

Homeowners, however, can deduct the mortgage interest and property taxes. Buying a home also requires large upfront costs. Most buyers need to have at least 20 percent of the cost for a down payment and pay transaction costs that include loan setup fees, property inspections, escrow and title fees, mortgage insurance and others. Renters generally will have to pay one month’s rent as a deposit. If you can’t afford these costs, rent instead.

* Location, location, location.

Renting can make sense in one area while not making sense in others. Some will rent in one area until they can afford a house in another area.

According to Maureen Fukumoto, principal broker at Help-U-Sell Realty Pro, “It’s important to take into account future rents and prices. If rents are rising more in an area than prices, it may be a good time to buy.”

As seen in the Zillow report, each area is different, so the break-even point on renting or buying changes. Talk to a real estate professional to compare the rental and purchase prices and see what the best option is.

Jason Zambuto has been named retail general manager for Tori Richard Ltd. He now is responsible for overseeing the Tori Richard and Kahala brands’ retail divisions with an eye toward growth and expansion of the store base, as well as the growing online commercial division. Zambuto previously was vice president of planning for DIESEL USA Inc.

Debbie Kim Morikawa has been named director of human resources for Island Movers and other affiliated logistics companies under HawkTree International. In her new position, she will oversee employment recruitment, staff development, compliance and other HR functions. Morikawa previously served as director of the Department of Community Services for the City and County of Honolulu.

Scott Lee has joined Honolulu HomeLoans as its chief compliance officer. In his new role, Lee will use his background as an attorney and successful consultant to oversee that all information distributed and all internal documents comply with federal and state regulations. Previously, he was the director of finance and operations for Target Engineering Group.

Randy Aina has been named chief strategy officer with Edward Enterprises. In this new role, he will communicate, execute and sustain the company’s strategic initiatives, which include a focus on corporate sustainability and employee wellness. Aina began his career with the company in 1982 and will continue to serve as senior vice president.

Maxx Phillips has been named manager at Bio-Logical Capital. She now is responsible for assisting in the community engagement, development and implementation of all Hawaii-based projects. Prior to joining Bio-Logical Capital, Phillips worked at Earthjustice and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

David Harper has been appointed federal account manager with Xerox Hawaii. In his new position, Harper will provide new and existing clients with solutions to effectively manage their documents, allowing customers to focus on their core business. Prior to joining Xerox Hawaii, Harper served as product applications specialist and sales representative for Jensen Precast.

Mark Haskin has been hired as information technology manager with Aston Hotels & Resorts. In his new position, Haskin will manage and implement Aston’s companywide technology initiatives. Haskin has more than 15 years of information technology experience and most recently served as the information technology manager at Denver law firm Fairfield and Woods, P.C.

By Mike Jones
President of D.R.
Horton-Schuler Division

Home is where the heart is, and at D.R. Horton-Schuler Division, building homes is at the heart of a family tradition. This year marks the company’s 40th anniversary of helping Hawaii families attain dreams of homeownership.

Founded in 1973 by long-time Kailua resident Jim Schuler, D.R. Horton-Schuler Division has focused on providing entry-level homes to first-time home-buyers even before “affordable” and “workforce” housing became buzzwords in the real estate industry.

Mike Jones

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Carl Schuler began building homes in the 1950s, and Jim Schuler followed in his father’s footsteps at the age of 17. As Jim’s son-in-law, I have the honor of carrying on the family tradition. Over the years, we have had the privilege of meeting generations of families whose homes have been the starting point for their own family traditions.

Over the past 20 years, more than 9,500 workforce housing homes and more than 3,000 affordable housing units (single-family and multifamily) have been built or are currently being planned by D.R. Horton-Schuler Division on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai. We know that the need for affordable housing continues to grow, and we remain committed to serving the working families of Hawaii.

Moving forward into the 21st century, we understand that there is no such thing as a typical family, and we recognize that residents have various uses for their homes – whether that means accommodating a home office or hosting a visiting family member. Our new Awakea community in Kapolei features the “flex home” option, allowing residents to use the “flex space” for an office, extra bedroom or storage. Our mixed-use communities offer a diversity of options to live, work and play in a connected, energetic environment.

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, D.R. Horton-Schuler Division looks forward to new traditions as we pay homage to our past.

By Richard Monroe
Owner of Rattan Creations

The year was 1978 and I had just returned from the Philippines.

In that country, I saw a great variety of rattan furniture. Rattan was very interesting because, when heated, it could be easily bent, which offered numerous design possibilities. Rattan actually is a vine from the palm family of plants and it grows wild on the exotic island of Borneo. It is strong and lightweight when made into furniture.

Richard Monroe

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When choosing furniture, there are three basic types: fabric all over – which is upholstery – and leather. These two types are mostly mass-produced in China nowadays. The third type of furniture is rattan furniture, which is called “island style” because it is tropical and all handmade. Our cushions are fitted but not attached. The covers can be removed and washed or replaced at a very reasonable cost. This makes it a very good choice for our Hawaiian lifestyle.

My wife, Atin, and I started our furniture business right on our house lanai. When we became successful, we moved to a store in Kaimuki. Then, in 2001, we bought our own store on Beretania Street, where we now operate. We have developed our own unique designs for furniture, and it has shown to be very saleable. Good furniture designs plus our friendly service have made us a winner. We also repair, refinish and make cushion covers.

For 35 years, we have continuously run an ad in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and MidWeek, and that has certainly helped us survive. During that time, there have been at least 15 other rattan companies here in Honolulu, and they are all out of business.

We are now the only store selling rattan furniture exclusively.

We owe our success to our good designs, our great service and to our many loyal customers.

For Gabriel Lipetz, owner of Aloha T Shirt Factory, the T-shirt is a canvas for a masterpiece to unfold. Lipetz embarked on his business venture eight years ago when he took the opportunity to stir up his creative and independent spirit.

Aloha T Shirt Factory now offers full-service T-shirt screen printing at its office at 819 Moowaa St., Suite 103, in the KalihiKapalama area.

“If you think about it, almost everyone owns and wears T-shirts. We cater to anyone who wants to make a custom T-shirt order,” says Lipetz, who is a native of Tel Aviv, Israel, and moved to Hawaii 11 years ago. “We can print T-shirts on affordable promotional blanks all the way to high-quality fashion designs. We also print on tote bags, trucker hats, mousepads and more.”

Aloha T Shirt Factory also specializes in bulk orders for retail shops, uniforms, corporate promotions and other commercial or private entities with a minimum order of one dozen shirts.

“We currently have four people on staff, and we really make the process of T-shirt printing as simple as possible,” Lipetz adds. “We will help you with the design or help you make it from scratch, as well as order and pick up the shirts for you and print on them. Of course, we make sure all of this is completed in a timely manner.”

Prior to starting his business, Lipetz came to the Islands with one goal: to surf. After spending a summer on the North Shore, he knew he also needed to cater to his city roots and made the move to town, where he pursued his education at Kapiolani Community College. Three semesters later, his business started to grow, so he followed the entrepreneurial path and never turned back.

“I get a tremendous reward when a customer is happy and returns. To me, building a long-term relationship with our customers is our biggest reward of all.

“We are very flexible and understanding of our customers’ expectations,” he explains. “Customer service and product quality are both very important ingredients of our business success. When customers come in, they are usually very demanding. Most of the time we are able to meet their unique needs and wants, but if we can’t, we will let them know and point them in the right direction. We never make promises that we can’t keep, and this is one of our core values.”

Looking to the future, Lipetz has great hope. He rolls with the punches and always is looking to partner with new clientele.

“If there’s a need to expand, we will. All we can do now is provide the best service that we can on a daily basis,” he says. “Your imagination is our destination!”

For more information, call 372-1774 or visit alohatshirtfactory.com.

Warren Buffett is considered to be the world’s greatest investor. He is currently the fourth wealthiest man in the world and the second in the United States with a net worth of $53.5 billion. He is constantly featured in the news, and Time magazine named him one of the world’s most influential people. Every year Buffett auctions a private lunch with him to be donated to charity. In 2012, the highest bidder forked over $3.5 million just to eat with him! Buffett is known as the “Wizard of Omaha,” “Oracle of Omaha” or the “Sage of Omaha” because of his Nebraska roots and extraordinary success in investing.

Despite his immense wealth, the 82-year old is known for his frugal living and commitment to give away 99 percent of his wealth to charitable causes.

What has made him so successful? Buffett is known for his value style of investing, finding and investing in high-quality, undervalued companies for the long term. His investing approach of discipline, patience and value has consistently beaten the market for decades. Since 1965, Buffett’s fund Berkshire Hathaway has grown 21.7 percent each year for an overall return of 1,038,636 percent! During the same period, the SP500 has grown 9.4 percent annually for an overall return of 7,433 percent. To put this in perspective, if in 1965 you invested $5,000 in Berkshire, it would be worth close to $52 million today, compared to $370,000 if invested in the SP 500! In 1965, Berkshire was trading at $16 per share; as of May 8, the class A share (BRK.A) is trading at $166,272.78. In the next couple of articles, I will give some of Warren Buffett’s best investment advice and what it means for the average investor.

* “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No 2: don’t forget rule No. 1.” The more money you lose or don’t have now, the greater the impact on your ability to earn money in the future. This is the reason why Buffett drove an old VW even after making his millions.

* “I made my first investment at age 11. I was wasting my life until then.” The secret to investing is starting early and getting your money to compound for you. Even if it isn’t much, over the long term, time is more important than the return or amount invested. Visit artofthinkingsmart.com for more information.

* “Your goal as an investor should simply be to purchase, at a rational price, a part interest in an easily understandable business whose earnings are virtually certain to be materially higher five, 10 and 20 years from now … If you aren’t willing to own a stock for 10 years, don’t even think about owning it for 10 minutes.” Buffett elaborates further, “When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever.” It is important to think and invest for the long term. Many look to make a quick profit, but 92 percent of day traders lose money, violating both of Buffett’s top two rules! When looking to invest, make sure it is for the long haul.

* “The stock market is a no-called-strike game. You don’t have to swing at everything – you can wait for your pitch. The problem when you’re a money manager is that your fans keep yelling, ‘Swing, you bum!’” You don’t have to move at every opportunity; it is more important to be disciplined, patient and swing at the right one!

Melissa Banglos, owner of Melissa's Sweet Treats | Photo courtesy Melissa Banglos

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I have a gigantic sweet tooth – as in huge! Therefore, when my coworker recently presented me with a sinful delight from Melissa’s Sweet Treats, I was hooked. I wanted more!

Melissa’s Sweet Treats is owned and operated by local girl Melissa Banglos. As the sole baker of the business, Banglos is the only one on staff, and, for now, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I started this business in 2011, and the idea came about because my friends were asking me to bake Christmas gifts for them,” she says. “I would like my business to stay small, so that I can ensure product quality and freshness.”

Melissa’s Sweet Treats favorites include Graham Cracker Crunch, White Chocolate Krispies, Peanut Butter Party Mix, Pecan Pretzels, Layered Biko/Mochi, Apple Crisp and more.

“My baked goods are unique on their own, and the most requested items are Graham Cracker Crunch and White Chocolate Krispies,” Banglos states. “My philosophy is to always put extreme care into all of my baked goods and offer them at a reasonable price. Everything is made fresh!”

When Banglos is not busy whipping up delec-table desserts in the kitchen, this Waipahu High School graduate also works as a bookkeeper at Longs Drugs.

“I like to keep it simple and do what makes me happy,” she adds. “I am a home-based business and only take phone and email orders.

“However, during the holidays, I usually sell my baked goods to craft fair patrons.”

For Banglos, her business not only centers around sweet treats, but she also focuses on giving back to the community.

“Most of the time, I donate baked goods to fundraiser bake sales that benefit organizations such as the American Cancer Society and others,” she says.

As long as the passion is there, Banglos will continue to work her magic, putting smiles on customers’ faces one baked good at a time.

“The rewards of being an entrepreneur come from seeing the happiness on the faces of my customers,” she says.

And with the rewards come the challenges, which Banglos is working to overcome.

“The challenge is trying to manage my time wisely,” she says with a laugh.

For more information on Melissa’s Sweet Treats or to place an order, call 295-4898 or email melbanglos@yahoo.com.

Warren Buffett is considered to be the world’s greatest investor. The annual meeting for his fund, Berkshire Hathaway, is dubbed the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” where many shareholders eagerly await the yearly pilgrimage. With almost 40,000 people in attendance this year, Buffett and partner Charlie Munger answered shareholder questions about investing, the economy and others for hours. At the meeting, Buffett announced that Berkshire Hathaway is now the fifth most valuable company in the world!

Last week we covered the amazing performance of Buffett’s fund and important investment advice he has given throughout the years. (Please visit artofthinkingsmart.com to read the series.) We continue this week with more nuggets of wisdom and what it means for the average investor.

* “Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies. And if they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy only when others are fearful … When people get fearful, they get fearful en masse. Confidence comes back one at a time. When they get greedy, they get greedy en masse … Four or five times during their lifetimes, (investors will) see incredible opportunities probably in equity markets … (they) have to have the mental fortitude to jump in when most are jumping out.” Buffett’s success is based on being disciplined, patient and avoiding emotional investing. When Munger was asked at the annual meeting how to explain Berkshire Hathaway to a 13-year-old, he stated, “We always tried to stay sane when other people, a lot of them, go crazy. That’s a competitive advantage.” Good investors will not let emotions get in the way.

* “The best thing that happens to us is when a great company gets into temporary trouble … We want to buy them when they’re on the operating table.” The best time to buy a company stock is when it’s in trouble but can be turned around.

* “I try to buy stock in businesses that are so wonderful that an idiot can run them. Because sooner or later, one will.” Buy businesses that can be run easily. Experts can be wrong, so invest in things you understand. Complicated investments don’t have an advantage.

* “It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price … Long ago, Ben Graham (Buffett’s mentor) taught me, ‘Price is what you pay; value is what you get.’ Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.” Buying a stock is about more than just the price, since price and value are not the same.

* “Our investments continue to be few in number and simple in concept: The truly big investment idea can usually be explained in a short paragraph. We like a business with enduring competitive advantages that is run by able and owner-oriented people. When these attributes exist, and when we can make purchases at sensible prices, it is hard to go wrong.” Buffett’s value investing strategy is about investing rationally in businesses that have a lasting advantage.

By Philana Bouvier
Executive Vice President, General Manager of Young’s Market Company Hawaii

It’s about making a difference! We want to be the best. We want to create something special. Early in my career, while working my way up the corporate ladder, I realized women could make a difference in this highly competitive industry.

Fourteen years later, that is exactly what I am doing as the only female executive vice president, general manager leading a major wine and spirits distributor, Young’s Market Company Hawaii.

Philana Bouvier

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Young’s Market has been in existence for 125 years. Women first got the right to vote Aug. 26, 1920. Today, women are leaders in a variety of industries: government, arts and entertainment, technology, beverage, and the wine and spirits industry.

Here at Young’s Market Company in Hawaii, women are leading our organization and making a difference every day. It is a reflection of how far women have come, but perhaps more importantly, how we deliver results. Do I compare myself to men? Of course I do, every day. But it is a healthy comparison, because I know my industry is competitive. I’m not comparing woman to man, I am comparing leader to leader, and that is truly the reflection of how far we have come.

Women must embrace our roles and not only take advantage of the opportunities to develop and mentor other women in their careers, we also must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our competition.

As I reflect on my career, what I am most proud of is that I started at the bottom. I learned the business. I worked hard – harder than the rest. I devoted myself to learning the business, and then was recognized not for being a woman, but recognized as the best executive for the role.

Young’s Market Company values and recognizes female leadership. That’s what really makes the difference.

I have so much pride in my team, and I’m honored to work alongside four amazing female leaders (see photo). It is rewarding for me to reflect on how far we have come.

Our team is confident the next 125 years will continue to be a success.

By Warren Cole
Partner, Podium Raceway

Experience the race of your life at Podium Raceway, Hawaii’s first and only indoor electric kart-racing track.

Located at Kalaeloa (Barbers Point) in Kapolei, our 44,000-square-foot venue is designed to thrill racers with a quarter-mile indoor track that houses 45 electric karts, allowing as many as 10 drivers to compete side by side.

Warren Cole

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The track boasts four hairpin turns, two straightways and a race against time that’s sure to have you on edge!

Our high-performance European electric racing karts are not only emission-free and environmentally friendly, but allow drivers to race even faster with speeds of up to 45 mph on the indoor race track.

Everyone is welcome. Simply arrive and drive. We welcome walk-in racers who want to race family, friends and other customers, as well as private groups both small and large.

Podium Raceway can cater to your corporate events, team-building programs, birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties and any other special occasion.

Tired of the same old company meetings? Is your company looking for a fun and different way to bond with coworkers and build morale?

Then put your business on the fast track! Podium Raceway can provide your corporate event with a quality experience in a clean, safe, fun and professional environment.

Podium Raceway is an ideal meeting facility for corporate events with spacious meeting rooms that can accommodate large groups, and we’re well-suited to host corporate events, product launches and private parties.

Podium Raceway is located at 91-1085 Lexington St., Bldg. 1844, in Kapolei. For more information, call 682-RACE (7723) or visit podiumraceway.com.

Warren Buffett is considered to be the world’s greatest investor. The past two articles discussed his incredible success at Berkshire Hathaway and his best investment advice. Please visit artofthinkingsmart.com to see the previous articles.

We end the series this week with more nuggets of wisdom from the Oracle of Omaha and what it means for the average investor.

* “Over the long term, the stock market news will be good. In the 20th century, the United States endured two world wars and other traumatic and expensive military conflicts; the Depression; a dozen or so recessions and financial panics; oil shocks; a flu epidemic; and the resignation of a … president. Yet the Dow rose from 66 to 11,497 … none of these blockbuster events made the slightest dent in (late economist) Ben Graham’s investment principles. Nor did they render unsound the negotiated purchases of fine businesses at sensible prices. Imagine the cost to us, then, if we had let a fear of unknowns cause us to defer or alter the deployment of capital. Indeed, we have usually made our best purchases when apprehensions about some macro event were at a peak. Fear is the foe of the faddist, but the friend of the fundamentalist.”

When picking stocks, Buffett advises us to ignore politics, macroeconomics and world events. Stocks always have come out of a crisis over the long term, and short-term volatility should not dictate an investment strategy.

* “I never attempt to make money on the stock market. I buy on the assumption that they could close the market the next day and not reopen it for five years.” Buffett constantly emphasizes investing for the long term. You want to buy a company that will grow regardless of the stock price. Many investors purchase stocks based on historical performance. Buffett states: “The investor of today does not profit from yesterday’s growth.” You want to purchase a stock for its potential growth, not the growth it already experienced.

* “Long ago, Sir Isaac Newton gave us three laws of motion, which were the work of genius. But Sir Isaac’s talents didn’t extend to investing: He lost a bundle in the South Sea Bubble, explaining later, ‘I can calculate the movement of the stars, but not the madness of men.’ If he had not been traumatized by this loss, Sir Isaac might well have gone on to discover the Fourth Law of Motion: For investors as a whole, returns decrease as motion increases.”

The more you trade, the more you underperform, which is why Buffett’s favorite holding period is “forever!”

* “Today people who hold cash equivalents feel comfortable. They shouldn’t. They have opted for a terrible long-term asset, one that pays virtually nothing and is certain to depreciate in value.”

One of the greatest risks for investors is outliving their money, which is why investing in stocks over the long term is crucial. It is good to be liquid during certain periods, but over the long term stocks are a better investment than cash.

Pro Fit Athletics’ Gabriella Sheindlin | Photo courtesy Gabriella Sheindlin

Pro Fit Athletics brings fitness to the Web with just a click of a button. Conceived last July by owner Tyree Payne and her staff, Pro Fit Athletics (pfathletics.com) is an online fitness website that caters to those interested in a fit lifestyle, especially those on the go or anyone who would like to add to their daily fitness regimen.

“Pro Fit Athletics provides customizable work-outs on the part of the user, and also with the help of a trainer. We want people to feel like they can work out on their time and at the level they need,” says Gabriella Sheindlin, chief marketing officer.

“Pro Fit also allows people to sign up for one-on-one training time with a trainer and live group classes. We want people to feel like they’re in the gym without having all the pressures of actually being there.”

With three individuals on staff and a four-person team of trainers, along with a production team that creates workout videos, Pro Fit Athletics creates a personal interaction for those who don’t necessarily like being at the gym.

“You can do yoga and Crossfit in the same day if you’d like,” she adds. “We are the fitness site that is open to constant customizations and suggestions.”

Members also are encouraged to engage with the Pro Fit community by sharing workouts and photos. Diet and nutritional support for a healthy lifestyle are available, as well.

“It’s been really exciting to finally have a usable website up and running,”

Sheindlin states. “I was nervous as to how it would be perceived, but I’m excited to see how people really benefit. We someday hope to reach people on a global level with the most diverse fitness site out there.

“We want fitness to be everywhere.”

Currently, Pro Fit Athletics is focused on its website launch and will continue to add new trainers to its team.

“Being an entrepreneur is about developing an idea and taking in all the information that you can,” Sheindlin explains.

“The initial idea usually isn’t what the final product amounts to, but when it’s a success, you’ll be glad you pursued it.”

For more information, visit pfathletics.com.

Everywhere you go these days, you hear an advertisement about solar. By some estimates, there are more than 250 solar companies in Hawaii, with dozens more opening up per year! The average energy price on Oahu is about 35 cents per kilowatt/hour, and it’s much higher on the Neighbor Islands, with Kauai at almost 42 cents! In comparison, the average price on the Mainland is about 12 cents, less than a third of what we pay. The average household in Hawaii pays a monthly electricity bill of about $300. Here are some reasons for our high prices:

* The high price of oil and shipping. Hawaii is the most fossil fuel dependent state in the nation.

More than 90 percent of Hawaii’s energy comes from imported oil.

* Hawaii has six separate electrical systems (for our separate islands) and with a small population base, there are no economies of scale, making it more expensive to operate with higher costs per Hawaii resident.

* Unlike Hawaii, states on the Mainland can buy surplus energy from each other and have large projects producing cheap energy.

In order to relieve our dependence on oil, in 2008 then-Gov. Linda Lingle created The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Its goal is to achieve 70 percent clean energy by 2030, with 30 percent from efficiency measures and 40 percent from locally generated renewable sources.

Because of the abundance of sun in Hawaii and generous tax credits, photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water heaters are currently the top sources of renewable energy.

If you have not taken the leap to installing PV, here are some common methods for going solar:

* Cash Purchase: The average PV system size for a Hawaii home is 5kw to 8kw and costs between $25,000 and $50,000. Purchasing the system will give you all the energy savings, in addition to the tax incentives and other deductions. The home value generally goes up with the system, and you are free of any ongoing payment. Some cons, however, are the large up-front costs, your insurance could go up to cover the system, and you may have to pay to fix any problems in the future. You also can take out a home equity loan or refinance to pay for the system, but there could be extra fees in addition to using your home as collateral.

* Lease: In a lease you pay a monthly fee for the PV system without owning it. A lease is typically 15-20 years. The payment is generally more manageable, and if anything goes wrong, the leasing company will take care of it. You will not have the upfront costs of a cash purchase, but the overall savings potential is less and you will have to pay monthly regardless of the amount of solar energy produced.

* Power Purchase Agreement: In a PPA, a financing company owns and maintains the system, and you purchase solar electricity at a set price from them for a set length of time. The difference from a lease is that you only pay for the energy produced by your system. As a result, your payment can vary month to month. Some PPAs have a performance guarantee and allow you to pay more upfront for a lower electricity rate. There may be an escalator where the rate goes up every year.

Last week we covered the reasons for Hawaii’s high energy prices and the common methods for going solar. Please visit artof-thinkingsmart.com for more information. With more than 250 solar companies to choose from, finding the right one for you can be quite daunting. If you are interested in installing solar, here are some key things to check.

• Check the strength of the solar company. Solar companies are giving warranties up to 25 years. You want to make sure the company still will be in existence during this time. If the company is large, well-established and has strong financials, there is a better chance years down the road they still will be available to fix any problems that come up.

• Check the warranties and find out about what they cover. Some labor warranties are for five years, and manufacturer warranties can last 20 years or more. It is important to read the fine print on the contracts so you know for sure what is covered and how much out of pocket you may have to pay for things not covered.

• Check for credentials. You will want to make sure the solar company has the necessary contractor’s licenses for installing solar hot-water systems (C-61) and PV (C-13 Electrical Contractor’s License). You also can find out if there have been complaints filed and how they were resolved with the Hawaii Better Business Bureau (hawaii.bbb.org), the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (hawaii.gov/dcca) and the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (hawaii.gov/dcca/rico).

• Check for experience and references. Find out how many systems the company has sold and how many years’ worth of experience the company, employees and subcontractors have. You also can ask for references and get referrals from friends and family.

• Research the types of solar products. Your HECO bills help determine how much energy you use and how many panels you need. Make sure your roof is sturdy and can handle the extra weight. PV systems will penetrate your roof, so if you don’t want that, you can consider using a PV canopy or carport. Ask the solar company to provide different options. Where you live, how your home is oriented and roof size have a significant impact on solar. A roof facing south draws in more sunlight than roofs facing other directions. According to Warren Cho of GreenTech Pacific, “If your house is in an area where there isn’t much sunlight, you might need a more-efficient panel. If you have plenty of sunshine and a large roof space, you may be able to go with a larger, less expensive panel. For a proposal, we can determine which type of panel is the most efficient for you.”

• Value over price. It is important not to choose a company just on the costs. You want to make sure you are getting the best value, since you get what you pay for. Compare and contrast different proposals to make sure you are getting the best value.

This is a 25-year investment, so take the time to do your due diligence!

Thomas Deir, owner of Thomas Deir Studios, can transform areas of your home into visual masterpieces. As an artist, he specializes in custom tile murals for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways. Deir also creates paintings and stone mosaics.

Artist Thomas Deir | Photo courtesy Thomas Deir

“Creativity has always been a driving force in my life, and I wanted the opportunity to explore various art forms and techniques,” Deir says. “Thomas Deir Studios began in 1998, and the idea of painting on tile came about from a former partner of mine, Dennis Yee, who recently passed away.”

Located in Kailua, Thomas Deir Studios predominantly produces commissioned pieces. Deir takes the time to understand his clients’ creative intuition and most importantly, their wants and needs.

“When I am invited into a home or business to design artwork, my initial consideration is, ‘What is important to the client?’ The end result of enhancing the living area or work space is an outcome of discovering what is important to the individual or business,” he explains.

Next, Deir takes the physical elements of the space into account, including the existing color scheme, dimensions and lighting, thus making sure the mural will complement these factors.

“After I collect the information, I sketch compo sitions, select the artwork color schemes and produce samples for the client to review before starting to work on the actual mural.

“Commissioned artwork is considered to be a high-end specialty product, but I do my best to offer a range of solutions to fit within the client’s budget,” Deir adds. “For instance, someone who would enjoy Hawaii art as a kitchen backsplash tile mural may not have the budget for a commissioned mural. In that case, a tile mural reproduction could be a perfect solution to enhance their kitchen wall at an affordable price. The same thing occurs with paintings on canvas.”

Deir is the sole practitioner of Thomas Deir Studios, though wife Lynn helps in the office and, according to Deir, has a keen design sense. Deir also will contract with well-qualified and experienced tile setters and contractors for certain installations.

As with any business, Deir says there are bumps along the way, but the true test is in how to overcome those challenges.

“When I first started, there were some very odd-shaped spaces that were challenging for tile installation. There also were lighting and hanging challenges for some of my larger paintings. Now, I am accustomed to irregular shapes and nuances in structures, and if I can’t figure it out, I consult with an experienced contractor or interior designer.

“The real challenge is to not be frustrated over the fact that I have so many ideas and not enough time to execute them all,” he states.

As an entrepreneur, Deir says his client-centered approach is the greatest factor that distinguishes him from other artists.

“It is wonderful to have a business that allows me to develop lifelong friendships and to continue to develop as an artist.

“As a Hawaii artist, I have a style that expresses my deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us,” says the Kailua High School grad. “My positive approach to life and my love for Hawaii are very evident in my artwork. Follow your passion and you will be happy.”

For more information on Thomas Deir Studios, visit thomasdeir.com or call 261-7122.