Power from water projects discussed

May 25th, 2008 · No Comments

A discussion about the future of hydroelectric power on Kaua‘i brought many in the community together Thursday night at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.

Existing hydropower systems on the Garden Isle and challenges to hydropower were discussed at the monthly Apollo Kaua‘i meeting.

Hydropower captures the kinetic energy of water as it moves from higher to lower elevations while passing through a turbine.

According to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, hydropower plants in Hawai‘i operate on “run-of-the-river” flows without dams. It is considered an “intermittent” resource in Hawai‘i because stream flows vary from seasonal rainfall.

Guest speaker Randy Hee, chief executive and president of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, talked about water power basics and different types of existing hydropower projects.

The biggest hydropower project on Kaua‘i is at Wainiha on the North Shore, Hee said.

More than 100 years old, the Wainiha project was developed by the McBryde Sugar Company and is now owned by Alexander and Baldwin.

KIUC owns an Upper Lihu‘e hydro plant and a Lower Lihu‘e hydro plant.

Hee said the hydro plant with the most potential is the upper Wainiha project. The upper Wainiha project would be upstream from the existing plant.

“The upper Wainiha is probably the best project out of all of them,” said guest speaker Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th

District. “The road (leading to the project) was done. The EIS was done and approved and they had permits.”

But one of the biggest challenges to completing the project is the transportation of the large equipment needed.

The bridges on the North Shore cannot handle the heavy loads, Hee said.

There are currently no plans to move forward with the upper Wainiha project, officials said.

Other potential hydro projects include the Hanalei River, the Wailua River, Mana Ridge and the Lumahai River.

Calling it a “pipe dream,” Hee said his dream hydro project would be on the Lumahai River.

“It’s one of the few streams that haven’t been diverted,” Hee said. “It’s in pristine condition.”