Public meeting in Waipahu to discuss new HECO lines
Advertiser Staff
Hawaiian Electric Co. will hold the first of three community meetings tonight in Waipahu to discuss plans to place either a 138,000-volt or one or two 46,000-volt underground transmission lines to back up its power system.
• What: Community meeting to discuss HECO's plans for new underground transmission power lines • When: 7 to 9 tonight • Where: Filipino Community Center, Ballroom A, 94-428 Mokuola St. in Waipahu
The other two meetings will be tomorrow and Wednesday.
Public meeting
HECO is holding the meetings before making a decision on which project it plans to develop. An environmental impact statement will be done only if required by the permitting authority, but approval from the Public Utilities Commission will be required.
Hawaiian Electric Co. says the multimillion-dollar underground transmission line will meet critical power concerns in the area from downtown to Hawai'i Kai and on the Windward side, and will make sure no one suffers a blackout.
Opponents say the line is not needed because the existing system is reliable. They also say that Hawaiian Electric should diversify away from power plants and electric lines and that the project is too expensive.
HECO lost a seven-year battle to build a $31 million power line project on Wa'ahila Ridge last year after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted down its conservation land use application.
The other public meetings will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Dole Cannery Ballroom, 650 Iwilei Road; and Wednesday at Hawai'i Pacific University, Hawai'i Loa Campus, Room 101, 45-045 Kamehameha Highway, Kane'ohe.
