Hawaii lets the sun in.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The sun is shining a little brighter in Hawaii these days. Starting in 2010, all new single-family homes built in Hawaii must have solar water heating. It's a first in the nation.

The Legislature recently approved the bill that supporters hope will reduce the state's dependency on oil by 30,000 barrels annually and save homeowners 30 percent to 35 percent on electricity--about $600 per year.

According to House Energy and Environment Chairwoman Hermina Morita, only about one in four new homes in Hawaii has a solar water heating system on its...