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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 15, 2004

HECO questions status of speakers at hearings

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Hawaiian Electric Co. says it will not object officially to any of the groups, lawmakers or individuals who have asked to intervene in upcoming Public Utility Commission hearings on its plan to build a $55 million underground transmission line along the streets of Honolulu.

However, HECO doesn't want the PUC to set a precedent allowing individuals to intervene in utility cases, and it has questions about the legitimacy of one of the eight groups.

HECO has no objection to Life of the Land, Malama O Manoa, Palolo Community Council, Kapahulu Neighbors and three legislators' standing as full parties to the docket, said Robbie Alm, the utility's senior vice president for public affairs.

But HECO suggests that in cases where an organization is not incorporated — as is the case with Ho'olaulima O Palolo — the PUC should "establish the purpose, makeup and leadership of the organization and identify an individual who will represent the organization for purposes of the docket," according to a company statement yesterday.

In the past, the PUC has not accorded intervener status to individuals, HECO said. "In this case, HECO suggests that the two individuals who submitted requests participate through one of the organizations that have sought intervener status." The individuals are Michelle Matson and Carolyn Walther.

Sen. Carol Fukunaga, D-11th (Makiki, Pawa'a), Rep. Scott Saiki, D-22nd (McCully, Pawa'a), and City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi filed as a group to intervene on behalf of Mo'ili'ili and McCully residents, citing health concerns.

Matson, an environmental and preservation activist affiliated with several community groups, said she had a unique perspective on the historic preservation and significance of the view plane in areas where the power lines might be placed, and she expected to be allowed to intervene on her own.

"The other organizations are great groups and will do a good job expressing residents' concerns," Matson said. "However, I'm looking at a much broader picture — the impact on the entire area."

If accepted by the PUC, interveners may take part in and provide testimony during official hearings related to the project. The PUC will now decide which interveners will be allowed in the case.

Matson said she and other residents had been promised they would have a chance to express concerns about the project to the PUC. "I'd be very concerned if people are denied access as interveners," she said. "We are serious about contributing and helping the PUC understand the issues."

The utility plans to bury nearly three miles of 46,000-volt lines under streets in the McCully-Mo'ili'ili area over the next five years, a project that will require excavation of some of the city's busiest streets. Paying for the project will raise monthly residential bills on O'ahu as much as $1 a month for about 40 years.

Alm said HECO had held a series of public meetings this summer to discuss the East Oahu Transmission Project and welcomed community input.

"At those meetings, we stated the issue of need would be decided by the PUC, and we expected the public would be able to weigh in on that and other legitimate concerns before the commission," Alm said.

"Also, HECO has voluntarily decided to conduct an Environmental Assessment to be submitted to the PUC. This will cover issues such as electric and magnetic fields, neighborhood traffic and other concerns being raised by some groups.

"On behalf of our customers and ratepayers, we look forward to a prompt and fair deliberation," Alm said.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.