Public can weigh in on proposed project to relocate electrical lines in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

A proposal by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiian Electric want to move forward with a project to relocate sub-transmission electric poles and power lines to improve the park’s electrical system in the event of extreme weather, and now the public has the chance to weigh in on the project’s environmental assessment.

The proposed project, which is meant to boost reliability and resilience in the area between Piʻi Mauna Drive and the Hilo-side park boundary near Old Volcano Road, is phase 3 of Hawaiian Electric’s efforts to upgrade its transmission line that spans from Puna to just outside the park’s Kaʻū boundary.

Comments received during public scoping for phase 3 were considered for the environmental assessment.

Phases 1 and 2, completed in 2020, included the area between the Kīlauea switching station, outside the Kaʻū-side boundary, to Piʻi Mauna Drive within the park.

Existing poles and lines are located along a corridor within hazardous terrain, including earth cracks and lava tubes. Maintenance and repairs are difficult and unsafe.

Relocating the line along the highway will also help reduce potential impacts to forested areas in the park.

The national park worked closely with Hawaiian Electric and Tetra Tech to develop and analyze alternatives, craft mitigation measures and conduct consultations.

Two main actions are proposed:

• Relocate the existing power line by installing new poles and transmission and distribution lines along 2.6 miles of Highway 11.
• Remove and/or decommission about 2.6 miles of existing poles and transmission and distribution lines within the current power line alignment in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The park encourages the community to provide input during the 30-day comment period which started Monday.

There are three ways to provide input:

• Online: Click here for project information to submit your comment.
• Email: Send comments to havo_planning@nps.gov.
• Hard copy: Mail written comments to Attention 3400 Phase 3 Power Line Relocation, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaiʻi National Park, HI 96718-0052.

Comments must be submitted online, via email at the address above or postmarked by Oct. 23 to be considered.