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Friday, February 9, 2024 • B3
THE GARDEN ISLAND
Start at the top with home improvements BRANDPOINT At first glance, the value of some home improvements can be hard to see particularly when the improvements are in the attic. While a gleaming kitchen backsplash, an expansive patio deck or luxury spa bath are all pleasing to the eye, the value of other home improvements may best be appreciated through improved indoor comfort. Installed in the attic area, insulation and ductwork are two examples of often overlooked upgrades that can impact comfort as well as energy savings. Case in point: EPA estimates that homeowners can save up to 15 percent on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11 percent on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists.1 Installing adequate levels of attic insulation and repairing or replacing attic ductwork can help address the root cause of problems such as increased dust, hot/cold rooms or high energy bills. But as the attic area is infrequently accessed, how do you know if a problem exists? Let’s start with insulation. Simply confirming its presence in the attic is not enough.
MIKE STEWART / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A sign announcing a home for sale is posted outside a home in Aceworth, Ga., near Atlanta on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Following are some signs that your home’s attic may need additional insulation: w Hot or cold ceilings, walls or rooms w Uneven temperatures in a home that cause HVAC systems to run more frequently w High heating or cooling bills compared to similarly sized homes in the area.
Average long-term U.S. mortgage rate inches higher ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week, reflecting a recent uptick in the 10-year Treasury yield. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.64 percent from 6.63 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.12 percent. “Mortgage rates remain stagnant, hovering in the mid-6 percent range over the past several weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. The move echoes an increase this week in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing loans. The yield moved above 4 percent this week as bond traders reacted to the government’s January’s jobs report . The surprisingly strong report stoked worries that it could persuade the Federal Reserve to wait longer before it begins cutting interest rates. Hopes for such cuts amid signs that inflation has declined from its peak two summers ago have been a major reason the 10-year Treasury yield has mostly pulled back since October, when it climbed to its highest level since 2007. In an interview broadcast Sunday night, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank remains on track to cut its benchmark interest rate three times this year, a move that economists expect could begin as early as May. Investors’ expectations for future inflation, global demand for U.S. Treasurys and what the Fed does with interest rates can influence rates on home loans. The cost of refinancing a home got a little bit less expensive this week. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, fell this week, pulling the average rate down to 5.90 percent from 5.94 percent last week. A year ago it averaged 5.25 percent, Freddie Mac said.
A sufficient amount of attic insulation, typically measured in inches, is necessary to help protect against warm air moving into colder parts of the building envelope. A qualified HVAC technician should be able to evaluate your attic and help you understand how much energy you could conserve by insulating to
a specified thickness. For example, contractors designated as AirCare Professionals are trained by Owens Corning and equipped with tools to assess insulation levels and explain how your home’s attic insulation compares to recommended standards. Leaks and poor connections in attic ductwork
can also lead to problems in other parts of the home. According to ENERGY STAR about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. ENERGY STAR also notes that tightly sealed and well-insulated ducts found in qualified homes
can reduce annual utility bills by $120 or more. Following are some indicators of a problem with a home’s attic ductwork: w Spikes in energy bills w Rooms that are too hot or too cold w Rooms that have a musty odor w Heating or cooling equipment that cycles on/ off more frequently as the system works harder to heat/cool spaces due to lost air w Increased levels of dust An AirCare Professional is trained to evaluate the pressure of air running through your home’s ductwork and may use special thermal technology tools that allow you to “see” where air is escaping. He or she also will evaluate the system for loose connections or areas where air may be leaking out of the system. Joints and connections will be evaluated to ensure the ductwork is properly sealed to keep conditioned air inside and help prevent particulates in the attic from entering ducts. Ready to get a start on your 2024 home improvements? Don’t lose sight of opportunities in the attic to boost comfort and energy savings. Savings may vary. Find out why at EnergyStar.gov.
245-0433
B4 • Friday, February 9, 2024
Kapaa
Lots & STUFF SELL YOUR Acreage
FOR AS LITTLE AS For Sale $1,175,000
9.99
$
4Bed/2Ba Lauren Yama -RS 808-346-4204 Eric Yama-RB 808-639-3414 MLS 703147
A WEEK
ON ALL MERCHANDISE ADS* *Restrictions KAPAA-VACANT LAND may apply. Call for details.
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KAUAI’S
Lihue
Legals / Public Notices 808-245-0450 MERCHAN
ANNOUNCE MENTS
$900,000
Lot Hours size: 1.62 acre Business Call Center
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Clifton Kukino -RB Monday–Friday; 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. 808-639-1490 Jordan Kukino -RS 808-634-5032 Kaylin Kukino-RS 808-635-2822 MLS 702288
WE GLADLY ACCEPT:
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Kapaa
WAIMEA $790,000 Lot Size: 12,136sq. ft. Mark K. Tanaka -RB 808-639-0367 MLS 701685
KAPAA $375,000 17,722 Lot size Leah Ragsac -RS 808-212-4068 Taylor Ragsac -RS 808-635-3449 MLS 702195
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NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF HAWAII COUNTY OF KAUAI P. No. 5CLP-23-0000145 IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE FIFTH CIRCUIT, Notice is hereby given that the Kauai County LIHUE $1,175,000 5FGD 24-0000004; IN THE MATTER OF THE Estate of Jennie P. Ching, also known as Housing Agency, pursuant to Sec. 511 of the GUARDIANSHIP OF H.A.K., BORN 12/24/2013, $999,999 4Bed/2Ba Lauren Yama -RS Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act A MINOR PERSON, INTERESTED PARTIES and 2Bed/2Ba Jennie Pang Ching and Jennie Ah Kim Ching, 808-346-4204 Shelly Kaui Carvalho of 1998, through 24 CFR Part 903, will hold a JASON ALEXANDER KOSTJUK, TAKE NOTICE that Deceased, and The Jennie P. Ching Trust Eric Yama-RB 808-652-3886 public hearing on the County’s Public Housing a Petition for Appointment of a Guardian of the Filed, a document purporting to be the 808-639-3414 MLS 705526 Agency Annual Plan for fiscal year beginning Person of a Minor has been filed in the above Last Will and Testament of the above-named MLS 703147 July 1, 2024 and the County’s Public Housing entitled action and that a hearing has been set Decedent who died on November 24, 2022, Agency 5-Year Plan, The public hearing will be for this matter for Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at together with an Application by Michael G. held at the County Housing Agency Meeting 8:00 A.M. (HST) at the Judiciary Complex located Ching, whose address is c/o Joy M. Miyasaki, Room 2, located in the Piikoi Building at 4444 at 3970 Ka’ana Street, courtroom number 1, Carlsmith Ball LLP, 1001 Bishop Street, Suite Rice St., Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii on March, 27, Lihue, Hawaii 96766, (808) 482-2330. The 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813, praying for informal 2024 at 2:00PM. probate and issuance of Letters Testamentary to nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Deadlines: noon on Friday for Sunday and Monday. (We are closed advertisers, The Garden Island doesrequired reserve to themake right to edit, said Michael G. Ching. GUARDIANSHIP. You are defense This public hearing will be conducted for the Regular, single-column classifieds The Garden Islandhas canobjeSaturdays and Sundays). refuse, reject, or cancel any adnot at any Allthirty ads are(30) subject If any ininterested person ctions to the to such pleadings latertime. than days purpose of furnishing citizens with information be placed until 4:45pminformal on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, to approval prior publication. We of arethis notnotice, liable for losses from thetofirst publication and upon probate, the person may file a petition on the status of the mission, goals and objectives yourresulting failure to dopublication so the Petitioners applyofto for formal testacy proceedings; if any and Thursday for the following day, noon on Friday for Sunday Theinterested Garden Island Real Estate Deadlines: To place, correct or expenses from errors or will omission of the FY25 Annual Plan and the 5-year PHA Plan the Court for the relief sought. This the 6th day of person further noticeforconcerning and Monday. Please call your salesdesires executive or 246-0325 or cancel athe Friday real ad, please any time. All ads are subject to approval prior to that estate/rental serves the single-column need of low-income and an veryad at February STACEY JOROFF, ESQ., ATTORNEY Estate, including notice concerningcall thebyclosing deadlines for larger, multi-column ads. noon on Thursday. publication. We are2024. not liable for losses or expenses resulting low-income families during the specified years. FOR THE PETITIONERS, POST BOX 510108 and distribution of the Estate, the person must from publication errors or omissions of anOFFICE ad. Advertising rate KEALIA, HAWAII 96751, (808) 828-0985. a Demand Notice pursuantCheck to HRS Cancellation/Correctionfile Deadlines: To for cancel or change your§ad forAll errors the firstpersons day it runs the paper. cards are(TGI available from2/16, any sales executive. Ads are subject interested areininvited to attend 2/9, 2/23/24) 560:3-204. state for their viewsreported on the after proposed plan an ad in the Garden Island, call us by 4:45pm on Monday, We are unable to and issuetocredit errors the to the rate card in effect at the time they are placed. All creditors of the above-named Estate either While orally we or intrywriting. Written testimonies Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the following day, first day of publication. to accommodate our are hereby notified to present their claims with prior to the hearing would be appreciated. proper vouchers or duly authenticated copies The Kauai County Housing Agency will fully thereof, even if the claim is secured by mortgage consider all written and oral submissions and upon real estate, to said nominee, at the address will make a decision with respect to those Department of Taxation shown above, within four (4) months from the comments submitted prior to the close of Notice of Adoption of Temporary Administrative Rules KOLOA $1,175,000 date of the first publication of this notice or they business on March 25, 2024 or at the public $1,300,000 4Bed/2Ba will be forever barred. hearing. Please send written comments to Lauren Yama -RS Pursuant to Section 231-10.7, Hawaii Revised 4Bed/3Ba Further, all creditors of the trust established the Kauai County Housing Agency, 4444 Statutes (HRS), the Director of Taxation of the State 808-346-4204 Carol C. Cummings Eric Yama-RB by the Decedent under a trust agreement dated Rice St., Suite 330, Lihue, Hawaii, 96766, of Hawaii has adopted Temporary Rules Relating to 808-6514766 808-639-3414 Shelly Kaui Carvalho May 16, 1979, as amended and restated, and Attn: Jennifer Toguchi. Pass-Through Entity Taxation which have been approved MLS 703147 808-652-3886 known as The Jennie P. Ching Trust, are hereby by the Governor and which have the same force and effect MLS 706818 Copies of the PHAs Annual Plan and 5-Year as any other administrative rule. notified that Michael G. Ching is the Successor Plan are available for review to any interested Trustee of the Trust, whose address is stated person at the Kauai County Housing Agency above, and that any and all claims which they Pursuant to Act 166, Session Laws of Hawai’i 2009, between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM, the Department of Taxation is authorized to adopt have against the Trust, even if the claim is Monday through Friday, except for legal secured by a mortgage upon real estate, must temporary rules, which have the same force and effect as federal and state holidays. be presented with proper vouchers or duly permanent rules. Temporary rules become effective seven authenticated copies thereof to the Successor days after statewide public notice is given and expire 18 Accommodations for persons with special Trustee, at the address shown above, within four needs and interpreters for non-English speaking months after the effective date. (4) months from the date of the first publication citizens will be available at all public hearings of this notice or they will be forever barred. The temporary rules implement Act 50, Session Laws and sessions upon written request five business Dated: Lihue, Hawaii, January 9, 2024. of Hawai’i 2023, which allows certain pass-through Stay days prior to the meeting date. Clerk entities to elect to pay Hawai’i income tax at the entity Informed Attorney for Applicant: level. The temporary rules impose deadlines, filing Adam Roversi Subscribe today Joy M. Miyasaki, Esq. requirements, payment requirements, and clarify the Housing Director Tel. No. 808.523.2500 245-0433 procedures necessary for taxpayers to elect pass-through Kauai County Housing Agency thegardenisland.com (TGI 2/2, 2/9, 2/16/24) entity taxation. (TGI 2/9/24) The temporary rules are available online at tax. hawaii.gov or ltgov.hawaii.gov. A copy of the temporary rules may also be obtained between the hours of 7:45 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays, at the Director’s Office located at the Department of Taxation, Room 221, Princess Ruth Keelikolani Building, 830 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, and at the District Tax Offices located at 3060 Eiwa Street, Lihue, Kauai; 54 High Street, Wailuku, Maui; and 75 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii. Fifth Circuit Court Notice and Notice to Creditors
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For more information, or to request a copy of the temporary rules, please call the Department of Taxation, Rules Office at (808) 587-1530.
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DATED: February 9, 2024 Honolulu, Hawaii (SA/TGI/HTH/WHT 2/09/24)
246-0325
KAUAI’S
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th EgAR D E n i s LAnD. C O m / C LAs s i fi E D s
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WAIPOULI
Land Area: 7,269 sf Zoning: R-10 New Price: $539,000 MLS# 703942
Priced below County of Kauai assessment.
Short-term owner financing will be considered.
* Custom Color Matching * Armstrong-Clark Stains * * Purdy Brushes * Graco Sprayers * Home Owner * * Maintenance * Commercial * Industrial * Across From Kauai Community College 4490 Puhi Road, Lihue
(808) 246-8828
JUST LISTED!
SHELLY KAUI-CARVALHO RS-64829 (RS) ABR, CRS, SFR, SRS 808-652-3886 Shelly@kauairealty.net
Land Area: 26,746 sf House: 3bd/2ba Cottage: 1bd/1ba Price: $1,300,000 MLS# 706818
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AROL C. CUMMINGS RB-14915 (RB) CRB, CRS, GRI, SFR
808-651-4766
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LAWAI
CAROL C CUMMINGS RB-14915 (RB) CRB, CRS, GRI, SFR 808-651-4766 kauairealty@gmail.com
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