STORYLINE

Lahaina Teen’s Invention Converts Calls of Invasive Frog Into Energy

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West Maui is known across the globe for not only being one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but also as a hotbed of technology and innovation. Now, thanks to a breakthrough made by a Lahaina teen, it may become the birthplace of an energy revolution. 13-year-old Rachel Driscol has created a device that can transform ambient sounds such as waves and frog mating calls into a viable source of energy. Experts say the teen’s breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry.

The quest to convert sound energy into electricity is not new. Scientists, especially those in large metropolitan areas, have long sought a way to convert the din of the city into electricity. The problem is that up until now the capturable energy produced by noises is very limited. Through the use of piezoelectric technology and specialized transducers, researchers have been able to harness the vibrations from footsteps in high traffic areas, such as malls and sports arenas, to recharge phones in special charging stations. However, efficiency hurdles have made harvesting energy from anything but extremely loud and sustained noises impractical. Driscol’s says her new device clears that hurdle.

According to Rachel the problem wasn’t just one of efficiency, it was being able to use the “right” kind of noise. “There is definitely energy contained in sound waves, but the density of the energy is very low, and nobody had figured out a way to capture it all or target specific oscillations, so I decided to try and solve the problem. I tried a few different noises and found the sound of waves crashing worked well, but I was blown away when I started experimenting with coqui frog calls. They were perfect! With my design and a few of them in a terrarium you could make a sort of frog battery strong enough to power a house, assuming you could stand the noise.”

While the invasive frogs hold a special place in the hearts of people in their native Puerto Rico, they are considered a nuisance at best on the islands. The frogs consume vast amounts of beneficial insects without any natural predators, upsetting natural ecosystems and threatening crop production. Despite the frog’s ecological impact, it is the mating calls that most people have a problem with. Male coquis produce one of the loudest noises in the animal kingdom, with calls that can hit 90 decibels; roughly as loud as a gas powered lawn mower.

“It’s not just how loud they are, it’s the wave pattern of that call. It’s like it was made for converting into electricity,” says Rachel. “With a little transducer work, and some targeted filtering, I had a working model in a couple of days. I hope one day whole neighborhoods can be powered by the sounds of nature, even the really loud, annoying ones.”

While Driscol’s device is still in the prototype phase, experts say it could be a game changer in the green energy industry. Brian Leets of Pacific Investment Advisers says the teen’s breakthrough has almost limitless potential. “We’re talking about technology that could disrupt the whole industry. If she can show a scaled-up version works just as well as the prototype, she’ll be the head of a spear of a near-free energy revolution. Things are about to change in a big way at the Driscol house.”

According to Rachel’s father Leets’ predictions are spot on. John Driscol says he’s had to turn off his phone to deal with the number of calls from the press and businesses interested in buying his daughter’s technology.

“To be honest it’s been a real hassle for me. I’m the kind of person who really enjoys the peace and quiet someone who doesn’t have a daughter acting as an industry disrupter can expect. Don’t get me wrong, Rachel’s little noise capturing thingy works great. In fact it’s a little too good. Anyone that knows me, knows how much I enjoy spending my afternoons on the beach counting waves as they roll in. I usually listen to music while I count. In the past, I knew it was time to go get the kids from school when my phone died, but now the waves keep the dang thing charged all the time. That forces me to constantly turn my phone over, unlock it, and check the time. No matter how hard I tried to completely relax, I had the nagging question about the time running ragged through the hallways of my mind. It was too much, and I had to start leaving it behind.

I will say it gets high marks for home use though. I’m a big fan of crushed ice drinks when forced to stay in, and this thing has really changed how I enjoy my daiquiris.
Having too many electrical appliances is a problem most people have, and the Driscol house is no different. Using the blender means struggling with the cord, and figuring out what thing to unplug. This can be a huge hassle to say the least. Battery powered blenders are only good for a few dozen drinks, which makes them impractical for my intake needs. Now, all I have to do is yell in the blender’s direction for 5-10 minutes and it’s charged for the day. Between all the calls and me yelling at the blender, it’s not the quietest house in the neighborhood, but I bet it’s the most energy efficient one.”

STORYLINE

Hearings Continue Over Alleged Veilcorp Rendition Program

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Imagine returning home from your dream vacation. You’re dreading going back to work the next day and you briefly consider how difficult it would be to call in sick before stepping into the gateway. As your vision clears, you see that you’re not in your local veilstation. You are surrounded by masked people holding weapons. You are forced to your knees and handcuffed. You ask the people who they are and what’s going on. You’re told, “You know why you’re here.” Over the next week you are denied sleep, starved, administered drugs, and accused of being a terrorist. Eventually, your friends and family are threatened and you decide to make up a story to save them and make this all end. However, before you can falsely implicate yourself, you are told a mistake has been made. Suddenly you find yourself home, seconds after you stepped into the gateway as if the previous week never happened. It may sound like the plot to the latest summer blockbuster, but 29-year-old Brian Leets told congress yesterday, that it was his reality.

The weeks after the Veilcorp bombing that claimed 10 lives, including Tracy and Alohi Oeming, was a difficult time for many travelers. Long lines, invasive searches, and increased security protocols had many complaining that ease of Veil travel was now a thing of the past. Rumors began to quickly circulate that the headache and delays were the least of some people’s worries. In the dark corners of the internet, stories began to pop up about holding facilities and people missing while traveling. Environmental groups claimed that members were disappearing and expressed publicly their concerns that the government was operating an extraordinary rendition program with the help of Veilcorp. Those concerns were mostly ignored by the public and denied by officials, until people like Leets began speaking out.

The congressional inquiry into the allegations hasn’t been the swiftest on record, but it has become one of the the most boisterous in the past week. With U.S. Rep. John Kildee leading the charge, the investigation into the scope of the program and the level of Veilcorp involvement has reached fever pitch.

On Monday, Veilcorp attorney Harold Breen testified before an often openly hostile panel. When asked directly about the program, Breen claimed that no such arrangement existed. He acknowledged that on occasion, “Veilcorp works with government or law enforcement officials by providing personal or travel details about certain customers when presented with the proper orders or writs. While it’s true that we can transport people instantly over great spaces, we haven’t become masters of time. To suggest that we are are involved in an alien abduction type scheme that exists outside the realm of reality is absurd. Frankly, the committee should be embarrassed that the question was asked at all. Nonetheless, to be clear, and for the record, we do not grab people while they are veiling and transport them to internment camps.”

Representative Kildee pressed the issue with stories like that of Heather Ward who claims 2 of her employees have disappeared and is so scared that she took a train across country to testify. Ward runs an animal sanctuary that had been accused of working with the radical environmental group Gaia Guard and says that she has been harassed for almost a year. She testified, “Nobody has heard anything from Sarah or Allie for almost 9 months. I have trucks with tinted windows parked across the street all day and night and the police don’t do anything when I call. It takes forever for my phones to work and you can hear people on the other end before you even dial sometimes. Everyone in the community knows what’s going on. I just want it to stop. I’ve spent months looking over my shoulder and I just want some peace.”

Despite Ward’s allegations not everyone in the environmental community is worried about waking up in a detention center. Prominent marine biologist and urchin researcher, Alanai Kalipalani says she’s not concerned. “I work extensively on a number of environmental issues across the globe. I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve been involved with conservation projects that blocked Veilcorp expansions or projects. I veil at least twice a month but have never had any problems. I think I can safely speak for the vast majority of the environmental community when I say we have bigger concerns than rumors about secret phantasmal prisons.”

Yesterday’s testimony from Leets however offered the first official account of these detention centers. He detailed days of being kept naked, cold, and awake in a tiny doorless white room while, “hellish Hawaiian elevator music” played constantly. He claims he was asked to sign a confession to being part of Gaia Guard. When he refused he was forced to stand on the balls of his feet or squat for hours until his legs cramped. “I told them that I didn’t know anything about Gaia Guard besides what was in the news. I told them that I belonged to a water conservation group in college but all we did was circulate petitions to have the city’s sewage system upgraded, but they said I was lying.”

Leets claims that he was administered drugs that made him confused but maintains that he was clear headed enough to count the days he was held. He says he only saw a couple other prisoners while he was being detained but heard many more. It is what he didn’t see during his time at the holding facility that has many, including Kildee upset. According to Leets his guards weren’t part of any military or government agency, but were part of a private security force.

After I complained that I had the right to know what I was being accused of, one of the guards said that they weren’t working for the government. He said I didn’t have any rights other than the right to sign my confession. The first time I saw anyone with a government uniform was on the day I was sent home. They weren’t wearing Veilcorp uniforms or hats but it was made clear to me through little comments who they were working for. I can’t explain how they sent me back to the exact time I was going home, but I can’t explain how the veil works either. All I have is the memories from those 6 days. What I want is some answers, and I hope that with the help of Representative Kildee, I’ll get them. If I can prevent even one other person from going through what I did, it will be worth the ridicule and harassment.”

Like Veilcorp, the government acknowledges collaborating with the company in certain cases, but strongly denies any knowledge of a Veilcorp run detention facility or technology capable of doing what Leets claims. The say any such facility, if it exists, would be illegal. Still, Leets testimony was troubling and many are waiting expectantly to see what today’s hearings will unveil.

STORYLINE

Countdown to Manimal’s 100 Billionth Can Has Lahaina Buzzing

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All of Lahaina is buzzing with anticipation this week, as the Manimal bottling facility is set to bottle the 100 billionth can of Manimal. 14 years ago the first can of Manimal was produced in a small West Maui plant, with the hopes and dreams of less than a dozen employees riding on the cans of liquid energy. “We tried using my friend Jeff’s garage for storing excess inventory at first, but it wasn’t long until there wasn’t room for his car anymore. It was a mess. The rest, as they say, is history. As long as nothing crazy happens, the 100 billionth can should roll down the line early Thursday,” says Manimal CEO Spencer Kane. Now one of the largest energy drink companies in the world, Manimal says they want to not only pay respect to where it all started, but also embark on what may be the largest, and most expensive marketing campaign ever conceived.

“We had a good idea, a little money, and this tiny bottling facility with an awesome half-pipe out back. We probably should have had a better business plan at first, but we figured that stuff would work itself out, as long as people loved what we were making. Luckily, we were right. Manimal’s extreme recipe was a perfect match for athletes who were sick of being only partially invigorated by their beverages. We shot for full power right away, and it showed. Honestly, one of our biggest breaks was a local up-and-coming surfer who really loved our product. One day we talked about a sponsorship deal while paddling out in the morning. We wrote something up on a napkin on the beach that afternoon. Layla Kalani turned into one of the greatest surfers to ever live, and a pretty good spokeswoman too. We owe her, and all of our customers a lot, that’s why we announced our “We Quenched the World” campaign to coincide with the celebration. We’re going to literally give a Manimal to everyone,”says Kane.

A multiple time world champion, Kalani says she’s proud at how far she and Manimal have come together, and like the rest of her friends, she can’t wait for the milestone can. “Whether I’m punching a nosy shark in the face, starring in the summer’s hottest movie, or just trying to get a little boost between waves, I always have a Manimal within reach.” Like many others, Kalani says she will attend the company’s sponsored party on Front Street Thursday, but also plans on a more intimate celebration with friends and family later in the day. “My family and I have a special connection with Manimal. I think of Spencer as a brother, and we’ve had quite a journey together. We’re going to wrap the day up with a little food, a climbing wall, and some midnight surfing.”

The upcoming celebration has not been without complications however. Since announcing their ostentatious goal of giving a Manimal to every person on the planet, the “We Quenched the World” preregistration lines have been fraught with outages, and in some cases day-long hold times. With questions about logistics and costs, many industry insiders say Kane’s campaign can’t possibly succeed. Brian Leets of Pacific Investment Advisers says he’s never seen anything so reckless in his time as an analyst. “It’s not just bad, it’s corporate suicide. If they somehow survive the initial costs, they’ll be trying to pay off the debt for decades. I’m changing my rating for Manimal from a ‘strong buy’ to ‘dump immediately and avoid at all costs.’”

Nonetheless, Kane says he’s not concerned, adding that Leets, “Has never been barrelled in his life, and wouldn’t know a Fakie 720 Quadruple Kickflip Sexchange, from a Double Pop-Shovit Late Kickflip, let alone an excellent idea when he heard it.” He says that a year is plenty of time to get a can in everyone’s hand, and he’s not worried about the costs.

“It all started when I was told that 100 billion cans was more than enough to give everyone on the planet multiple Manimals. That blew me away! I knew that many of those cans were made before we figured this whole giant company thing out, but we’ve been on point with everything for a few years now. There was no reason we couldn’t literally give everyone who exists a Manimal within a year. That’s the goal, and I’m confident we’ll do it. We hired a couple dozen extra temps to cover the phones, but it totally wasn’t enough as it turns out. I had no idea that people would be so eager to provide their info so early on. We’re making some changes to fix the registration process: automating some things, setting up phone banks, and trying to get some better hold music going on. I ask the public to bear with us while we work out the kinks.”

While it’s one thing to compile a list of addresses, and put a can in the mail, it’s quite another to make a delivery in the world’s more far-flung and remote destinations. However, Kane seems undaunted by the task, saying the company is working closely with many different governments and Veilcorp, and will employ a small army of distribution specialists.

“We’ve been in talks with virtually every government to get a list of all their citizens already, and with the help of Veilcorp’s travel associates, we’ve got 99% of the world covered. Veilcorp has been sending people and stuff all over the world for many years now. They have a killer transportation network, and partners who can get almost anything, anywhere. For the remaining 1% we’re calling in our own distribution specialists who know how to operate under extreme conditions. We have the world’s best deep sea divers to deliver to scientists working in aqualabs in every ocean. There are teams of the most talented free climbers around, with backpacks full of Manimal, climbing cliffs around remote monasteries, and others seeking solitude in the mountains. For everything in between, we have the best drone and helicopter pilots money can buy, scanning the deserts, plains, and forests of the world. We’re probably going to find people who’ve never even seen a surfboard or a proper running shoe, but when we’re done, they’ll know about liquid energy in a can. For 14 years Manimal has been slaying thirst and supercharging achievement. This is an awesome undertaking. Luckily, we know a little something about awesome. We’ve put it in a can about 100 billion times already.”