About Town: 8-1-16

Meeting on wind energy facility slated

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the Draft Pakini Nui and Lalamilo Habitat Conservation Plans.

The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Hawaii Gateway Energy Center, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii.

Tawhiri Power LLC (Tawhiri), the Pakini Nui project proponent, operates an existing 21-megawatt wind energy facility at South Point with 14 turbines and associated power lines. The facility has not previously operated under an HCP and associated incidental take license. Tawhiri has now prepared an HCP and is requesting a 20-year incidental take license.

As of March 2016, two endangered Hawaiian hoary bat fatalities have been observed at the facility. Tawhiri has determined the incidental take of four endangered species could occur from continued facility operation: Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian petrel, band-rumped storm petrel and nene.

Lalamilo Wind Company LLC, the project proponent, has prepared an HCP and is requesting an associated 20-year Incidental Take License.

Copies of the draft HCPs are available as a link provided in the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s June 8 issue of the Environmental Notice. Copies will also be available at the public hearing.

Those unable to attend the hearing may submit testimony to Kate Cullison, katherine.cullison@hawaii.gov. Comments should be received by Aug. 8.