ROAD ADVISORY: Kaheawa Wind Turbine Transport Begins

Turbine blades and tower components will be transported on Maui highways to Kaheawa wind farm above Maalaea. Courtesy of First Wind.

By Sonia Isotov

Beginning today, January 13, First Wind will begin transporting large wind turbines from the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kihei to Kaheawa Wind II, a wind farm located above Ma’alaea.

Deliveries will be made between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and are expected to continue until mid-March. The transport will require the use of oversized trailers carrying turbine blade and tower components. The public is advised to use caution.

Actual transport dates vary and will depend upon favorable weather conditions for turbine installation; however, transport is expected to take place 4 to 5 days per week.  Transport operations are being handled by Maui’s Tri-Isle Inc. and is conducted in conjunction with the state Department of Transportation (HIDOT) and Maui County officials.

“We are pleased to begin installing these wind turbines to be able to deliver more clean, renewable energy for Maui residents.  While we hope to keep traffic disruptions to a minimum, we thank the Kihei and west Maui communities for their understanding and patience during the process.” Said Kekoa Kaluhiwa, director of external affairs for First Wind, in a written statement today.

Windmills at Kaheawa. Courtesy of FIrst Wind.

Each delivery will have a police escort. Drivers are asked to exercise caution when encountering the oversized trailers.  The transport route begins at the Kihei Tech Park proceeding west on Pi‘ilani Highway; continuing west on North Kihei Road to Honoapi‘ilani Highway to the project site. Total transport time for each component is expected to be about 20 minutes and no extended road closures are anticipated.

First Wind is working with HIDOT, the Maui Police Department and other organizations along the delivery route.  Questions regarding the delivery route and schedule should be directed to Leo Arsenberg, Tri-Isle Inc. at (808) 244-1800.

Kaheawa Wind Power II will consist of 14 wind turbines, capable of generating 21 MW of energy, enough to power about 7,700 Maui homes on an annual basis.  The project will be built next to the 30 MW Kaheawa Wind Power project built in 2006, which provides enough energy to power about 11,000 Maui homes annually.