Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Proposed Community-Based Renewable Energy Project at Kalaoa

Background Information:   On August 31, 2020, DHHL posted a legal ad in statewide newspapers, requesting applications to develop renewable energy projects on DHHL lands.  Four parcels of DHHL land were offered, including:  one parcel on O‘ahu; 1 parcel on Molokai, and 2 parcels on Hawai‘i Island (Kawaihae and Kalaoa). The land identified in Kalaoa for renewable energy development is 100 acres of a 200-acre parcel (TMK (3) 7-3-010:007) located on the mauka side of the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, across the entrance to NELHA/HOST Park.

DHHL Lands in Kalaoa, North Kona

The 100-acre site offered at Kalaoa was designated for Industrial use in the 2002 Hawai‘i Island Plan.  In the 2020 Kealakehe-La‘i ‘Ōpua Regional Plan, beneficiaries identified the development of “Renewable Energy Initiative – PV Farm in ‘O‘oma (Kalaoa)” as a Priority Project.  Specifically, the Regional Plan Priority Project supported the development of a PV Farm on DHHL lands at Kalaoa that were designated for commercial and industrial use.  The PV project would participate in the Hawaiian Electric Company’s (HECO’s), competitive bidding process with the goal of securing a Power Purchase Agreement.  The Priority Project would include partnerships with DHHL, and local partners within the North Kona region.

DHHL selected Nexamp, LLC to develop a PV solar, plus battery storage project at the Kalaoa site.  DHHL will be conducting a Virtual Beneficiary Consultation meeting

Beneficiary Consultation:

1	Proposed Action or Issue for Discussion	Nexamp, LLC’s proposed development of a Community Based Renewable Energy, Solar PV Plus Battery Storage project on a portion of TMK (3) 7-3-010:007 located in Kalaoa, North Kona.
2	Notification	Invitation Postcard
3	Beneficiary Consultation Meeting	Virtual Beneficiary Consultation Meeting Proposed Community-Based Renewable Energy Project at Kalaoa, North Kona Tuesday, July 13, 2021 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Purpose of the Consultation Meeting: Provide information about DHHL’s involvement in renewable energy Explain Community Based Renewable Energy Introduce Nexamp, LLC, a renewable energy developer selected by DHHL to develop a community-based renewable energy project at Kalaoa. Hear what Nextamp, LLC is proposing at Kalaoa. Find out how you can benefit from the project Ask questions and provide comments Recording of the Virtual Meeting: Presentation Materials Beneficiary Consultation Report to the HHC
4	Public Hearings	The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) is required to conduct two (2) public hearings to lease land to a renewable energy producer.  The first round of Public Hearings occurred in October 2021 (see below).  The HHC deferred decision-making on the lease request at that time, but a year later in October 2022, the HHC approved a Right-of-Entry permit to Nexamp Solar, LLC to develop one (1) 3MW solar plus battery storage project on 27.6 acres at Kalaoa.  Due to the existence of an electric sub-station adjacent to the Kalaoa parcel, HECO is allowing Nexamp Solar to develop two (2) co-located 3MW solar plus battery storage projects at Kalaoa, for a total of 6MW on 46.93 acres of land.  The Hawaiian Homes Commission is holding another round of public hearings with decision-making to follow (see next section below), for the second 3MW solar plus battery storage project that would require 19.33 additional acres.   Kalaoa Renewable Energy Project Public Hearing #1 Tuesday, March 28, 2023 – 5:00 p.m. o  Public Hearing Notice o  Beneficiary Invitation Postcard o    In person at:       La‘i ‘Ōpua 2020 Community Center Complex 74-5210 Keanalehu Drive Kailua Kona, Hawai‘i  96740 o    Join Virtual Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/6097542925 Meeting ID: 609 754 2925 One tap mobile +17193594580,,6097542925# US +12532050468,,6097542925# US Kalaoa Renewable Energy Project Public Hearing #2 Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – 8:30 a.m. o  Public Hearing Notice o  Beneficiary Invitation Postcard o    In person at: Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Ballroom #1 75-5660 Palani Road Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i  96740 Join Virtual Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/6097542925 Meeting ID: 609 754 2925 One tap mobile +17193594580,,6097542925# US +12532050468,,6097542925# US   PUBLIC HEARINGS CONDUCTED IN 2021   The Hawaiian Homes Commission conducted two (2) public hearings on the Kalaoa Renewable Energy Project in 2021 in order to lease land to a renewable energy producer. Public Notice Meeting Announcement  Presentation Video Recording: Kalaoa Renewable Energy Project Public Hearing #1 Monday, October 11, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. Approved Minutes Kalaoa Renewable Energy Project Public Hearing #2 Wednesday, October 13, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Approved Minutes
5	Decision-Making	The Hawaiian Homes Commission will convene to consider approval of a Right-of-Entry Permit for due diligence purposes (for up to three years) and conditional approval of a long-term General Lease (25-years with options to extend) to Nexamp Solar, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, to develop a solar plus battery storage project on 19.33-acres of Hawaiian Home Lands, TMK No. (3) 7-3-010:007 (por.), Kalaoa, Hawai‘i Island.  When combined with Nexamp’s land disposition for 27.6 acres that the HHC already approved at Kalaoa on October 17, 2022 (see below), Nexamp would be able to develop two (2) solar plus battery storage projects that would produce up to 6 Megawatts of electricity on a total of 46.93 acres. Hawaiian Homes Commission Meeting Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – 11:30 a.m. Approved Minutes PREVIOUS HHC MEETINGS ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT  Hawaiian Homes Commission Meeting Monday, October 17, 2022 – 9:30 a.m. Approved Minutes  Hawaiian Homes Commission Meeting Wednesday, October 13, 2021 – 1:30 p.m. Approved Minutes