Investing in the Future

Kaaahi Substation

On March 8, 2018, Hawaiian Electric Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric") filed an application in Docket No. 2018-0055 requesting that the Public Utilities Commission ("Commission"): (1) approve the commitment of approximately $8.8 million for the purchase and construction of the Kaaahi Substation (the "Project"); (2) determine that a public hearing is not required since the Project's proposed overhead sub-transmission line does not run through a residential area; (3) determine that the Project's sub-transmission line be constructed above the surface of the ground, as proposed; and (4) approve the sale of facilities by Hawaiian Electric to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation ("HART").

This Project was designed in response to a service request from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit's ("HART") for its Maintenance and Storage "MSF"), dated July 6, 2012. Based on the load requirements, the installation of a new electrical facility dedicated to HART's MSF would be the best way to meet its load requirements.

The Maintenance & Storage Facility (MSF) is located off Farrington Highway between Waipahu High School and Leeward Community College consisting of several buildings along with storage tracks and the Operations and Servicing Building that houses the Operations Control Center (OCC). OCC has the capability to monitor and control train movements on the main line and on MSF ready/layover tracks. The MOW building houses the maintenance vehicles required for system maintenance. The MSF yard has the following buildings incorporated to provide adequate service and maintenance to project:

  1. Operations & Servicing (OSB) Building;
  2. Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Building;
  3. Train Wash Facility;
  4. Wheel Truing Facility;
  5. Extensive Interior Cleaning Track;
  6. Sanding Facility;
  7. Test Vehicle Track;
  8. Gated Main Access with Guard Booth;

Hawaiian Electric's existing electrical infrastructure lacks adequate distribution and sub-transmission capacity to serve the projected MSF loads and load growth in the Leeward Community College, Pearl Highlands and Waipahu areas. Construction of the Project is the most cost-effective option for providing needed capacity for the area.

As detailed in the application, Hawaiian Electric considered a number of factors in concluding that the proposed 46 kV overhead sub-transmission lines should be constructed overhead. The visual impact should be minimal as there are already existing, overhead sub-transmission lines in the area, and the nearest existing homes are more than 1,000 feet away on Cane Haul Road.

A copy of Hawaiian Electric's application is available here in PDF format. It is also available for review through the Commission's electronic Document Management System, accessible on-line at the following web address: http://dms.puc.hawaii.gov/dms/ Docket Quick Link: 2018-0055. In addition, a copy of the application is available for review at Hawaiian Electric's Regulatory Affairs Office 220 South King Street, Suite 1301.

Public comments may be sent by email to public.comment@hawaiianelectric.com. Please include "Kaaahi Substation" in the subject of your email.

Kaaahi Project MapClick image for larger version (PDF)