Wednesday, May 6, 1998
What ever happened to the Waahila Ridge high-voltage power lines? Waahila Ridge lines
still in the worksHawaiian Electric Co. is in the process of preparing a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the controversial power lines, which received heavy opposition from residents.
After the draft report is completed during the summer, 400 copies of it will be given to community groups, libraries and neighborhood boards for public evaluation, said a Heco spokeswoman. After public comment, a final EIS will be prepared.
Residents and community groups criticized the routes of the high-voltage line, citing spoiled scenic vistas and possible dangers from electromagnetic transmissions.
Christen Mitchell, an officer with the Safe Power Action Network (SPAN), a coalition of various community groups, said the group's primary concern is whether the lines are needed at all.
One proposed route calls for 138,000-volt lines to run on 100-foot poles from Kamoku substation near Iolani School to Pukele substation in Palolo by way of Waahila Ridge.
Heco said the lines are required for system reliability, and putting them underground would be very expensive.
Heco Project Manager Kerstan Wong can be reached for questions at 543-7059.
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