Our Story
- Hawaii Electric Light History
- 1890: The Beginning of Hawaii Electric Light
- 1930: Electrifying Hawaii Island
- 1940: More Power to the Big Island
- 1950: Growth Continues
- 1960: Construction Boom
- 1970: Hawaii Electric Light Company is Formed
- 1980: Growth From Tourism
- 1990: Renewable Power
- 2000: Powering Our Communities
- 2005: Building Energy Partnerships
- 2010: Clean Energy Future
Growth Continues
In 1953, Hilo Electric purchased the Kohala Ditch transmission and distribution system in Kohala and took over the electric service to all of Kohala. The franchise was sold to Hilo Electric, and on August 9, 1954, Hilo Electric completed construction of a transmission line which tied Kohala to Kamuela.
A small piece of land in Kamuela was purchased from the Territory of Hawaii and construction completed for the house of three small Navy surplus diesel generators which had formerly powered landing craft. The line was extended from Honokaa, and an additional line crossing the island was built along the Saddle Road, connecting Hilo to the new switching station in Kamuela.
