Quite properly, state lawmakers are gearing up for a public hearing on the big Dec. 26 power blackout.

It's important, however, that the Jan. 14 hearing go beyond the usual fulminations about how could they do this to us and so on. Rather -- and in some ways Hawaiian Electric might welcome this -- it should be focused on the larger issues of reliability, cost and environmental concerns versus reliability and supply.

The power company will probably renew its calls for a fresh look at the "ring of reliability," a controversial beefing up of its delivery system. Others will want to talk about decentralizing our power system so a central failure no longer is just that -- central to everyone.

In short, a conversation about how to make Oahu's power supply more secure and forward looking would be a worthwhile exercise.

Tags: blackout, electricity, legislature

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