Electric Bill Climbing Too High? Get Tips From Akamai Keiki

Kamiloiki Elementary School third-grader Blake Bierwert says he will play more football and cut down on the TV watching to save energy in 2013. Blake's illustration provided by Hawaiian Electric Co.

Beyond the usual vows of fitness, neatness and all kinds of personal improvements that adults pledge this time of year, hundreds of Oahu children have resolved to make a small change that can affect all of us: Save electricity.

During Hawaiian Electric Co.’s yearlong Home Energy Challenge in the island’s public elementary schools, keiki learn a variety of ways to conserve energy and save on home electric bills. In a recent HECO contest to find the best new year’s resolutions, four winners emerged, including Blake Bierwert of Hawaii Kai, responding to the statement, “I promise to conserve electricity at home by ….”

Here’s the Kamiloiki Elementary third-grader’s plan of action – complete with illustration: “I will play football with my dad and sister instead of watching TV.”

Bierwert has won a free presentation for Ms. Yee’s classroom by Mad Science of Hawaii. And, according to contest rules, his parents must commit to helping their child lower the monthly electricity use in their home over a six-month period.

Grand prizes of $10,000, $6,000 and $3,000 will go to the top three energy-saving schools in May.

Get that football ready.