70
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
The new wind turbines for the Na Pua Makani Wind Farm will be built to the left of the existing ones.
Representatives from Na Pua Makani Power Partners said the company’s planned wind farm on the North Shore of Oahu will be beneficial to the community as it will reduce electric bills, while being placed far enough from residents to have minimal visual and noise impact.
Na Pua Makani Power Partners, subsidiary of California-based Champlin / GEI Wind Holdings, LLC, is working to build a 25-megawatt wind project in Kahuku, Oahu.
The company made its case at a media event on Wednesday at the planned site for up to 10 wind turbines, set to begin construction early 2016.
Hawaii residents will benefit from the lower cost of energy generated by the farm, said Scott Bradshaw, community outreach specialist for the project.
“This will help the environment and save residents of Hawaii money in the long term,” Bradshaw said. “We live on island. We all have to do our part.”
Kahuku residents have voiced concern about the location of the wind turbines. The visual impact and noise of the turbines were two issues residents said they were concerned about at the company’s last public meeting held at the Kahuku Village Association Community Center June 5.
Representatives said the company has moved the project further from the community than required, noting a minimum setback of 512 feet. The nearest turbine to Kahuku Elementary School is 2,205, according to Na Pua Makani.
“The company has moved them back six times, listening to community concerns,” Bradshaw said.
The company will host a final public meeting to present the draft of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement on Tuesday at the Kahuku Village Association Community Center at 6 p.m.
