WAIMEA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT – KAUAI ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE
WAIMEA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will be holding two Beneficiary Consultation meetings and two Public Hearings to share information and accept comments regarding a renewable energy hydroelectric project proposed by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) that would be partially located on DHHL lands in Waimea, Kaua‘i.
The attached map shows the approximate area where the proposed hydroelectric project would be located on DHHL lands.
Location of Hydroelectric Project Waimea, Kauai (Pu’u Opae)
Details on the proposed project will be presented at the Beneficiary Consultation meetings and Public Hearings which have been scheduled as follows:
BENEFICIARY CONSULTATION
| 1 | Proposed Action or Issue for Discussion | Request by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) to use a small portion of Trust lands in Waimea, Kaua‘i for the transmission and storage of surface water inconjunction with a hydroelectric project that will produce firm renewable energy forKIUC customers.Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) is a not-for-profit generation, transmission and distribution cooperative owned by the members it serves. |
| 2 | Notification | Beneficiary Consultation Letter – mailed to 2,886 Kaua‘i Lessees and Applicants on May 24, 2017. |
| 3 | Beneficiary Meeting Schedule | BENEFICIARY CONSULTATIONS: Kaua’i -Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Kekaha Elementary School Cafeteria 8140 Kekaha Road, Kekaha 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Kaua’i-Wednesday, June 14, 2017 Kapa‘a Elementary School Cafeteria 4886 Kawaihau Road, Kapa‘a 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| 4 | Public Hearing Schedule | PUBLIC HEARINGS (open to the public): Kaua’i -Wednesday, July 12, 2017 Kaua‘i State Office Building Conference Rooms A and B 3060 ‘Eiwa Street, 2nd Floor, Līhu‘e 9:00 a.m. to NoonKaua’i -Wednesday, July 12, 2017 King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School Cafeteria 4380 Hanamā‘ulu Rd., Līhu‘e 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| 5 | Presentation Materials | Materials: |
| 6 | Background Information | TBD |
| 7 | Meeting Notes | TBD |
| 8 | Review Period | TBD |
| 9 | Hawaiian Homes Commission Vote | TBD |
The Beneficiary Consultation Meetings and Public Hearings are opportunities for you to share your mana’o regarding the proposed project. Your comments will be presented to the Hawaiian Homes Commission to assist in their decision-making process. As a beneficiary on the Island of Kaua’i, your participation is important and I encourage you to attend one of these meetings. The Public Hearings are required by law and are formal meetings of the Hawaiian Homes Commission that will be open to the public.
To submit your comments or concerns about the project please click here: [email protected]
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Freitas in DHHL’s Planning Office at (808) 620-9484 or via email at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Q: How much of our Trust lands would be used for the proposed hydroelectric project?
Waimea lands include approximately 15,000 acres or 72% of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust on Kaua‘i. The proposed hydroelectric project would use a small fraction of the Waimea lands. The approximate size and location of that use is shown on the attached map.
Q: Why would the department use a portion of our Waimea Hawaiian Home Lands Trust for a hydroelectric project instead of awarding farming and ranching homesteads to HHCA beneficiaries on the waiting list?
The DHHL Waimea lands are largely dry, steep, and inaccessible. Less than one third of the parcel was once used for sugar cultivation, and those are much of the same lands that could be used for future homesteading – IF water and access is provided. Allowing the development of a hydroelectric project on a small portion of the Waimea Trust lands is a way to have another party develop water, roads and electric infrastructure so that the lands can be used for homestead development.
Q: How will a hydroelectric project benefit DHHL and its beneficiaries?
The main benefit is that the proposed hydroelectric project will bring water to West Kaua‘i Trust lands. The water will service existing pastoral lots and allow the future development of new homestead lots. The proposed project will shift the cost of developing and maintaining key infrastructure (roads, electricity and water) from DHHL to the energy developer. This will open the lands for beneficiary use and the development of new homestead lots.
Q: Is this project consistent with DHHL Plans for the region?
Yes, the proposed project is consistent with DHHL’s West Kaua‘i Regional Plan which was developed with Waimea, Kekaha, and Hanapēpē homestead beneficiaries through an extensive regional planning process. The proposed hydroelectric project is consistent with, and helps to implement, two Priority Projects: 1) the development of an agricultural and water plan; and 2) the development of renewable energy projects that are compatible with agriculture. The West Kaua‘i Regional Plan can be accessed online at: