Environmental Review

Kaheawa Wind 1 is undergoing an environmental review at both state and federal levels in accordance with the Hawai‘i Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The facility is located on state lands within a conservation district and is subject to the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 with the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) serving as the approving agency. Additionally, a federal environmental review through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is necessary to review the federal  action of issuing an Incidental Take Permit.

An Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (EISPN) for the Kaheawa Wind 1 Continued Use Project (Project) has been prepared in accordance with the State of Hawai’i’s EIS law (HRS, Chapter 343) and the State of Hawai’i’s EIS rules, Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 11, Chapter 200.1. The EISPN was published in the State of Hawai’i Environmental Review Program’s October 23, 2024 edition of The Environmental Notice. The document is accessible through the link below:

Publication of the EISPN in The Environmental Notice starts a 30-day public review and comment period, within which agencies, groups, and individuals have an opportunity to provide written comments. Information collected during the scoping process will be incorporated into the Draft EIS. In accordance with HAR Chapter 11-200.1-23, a public scoping meeting will be held during the 30-day EISPN comment period.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend the scoping meeting to provide oral and written comments on the Project and the scope of the EIS.

• Time/Date:
  Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
• Location:
  Malcolm Center, 1305 North Holopono Street, Suite 5, Kihei, Hawai‘i, 96753

If you would like to submit comments on the EISPN and the scope of the EIS, comments must be postmarked by November 22, 2024 (30-day comment period). Please submit written comments to the party listed below.

• Email:
  Leslie McClain at  leslie.mcclain@tetratech.com
• Mail:
  Tetra Tech, Inc.
  Attn: Leslie McClain
  737 Bishop Street, Suite 2000
  Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813

Kaheawa Wind 1’s current Incidental Take Permit (ITP) from the USFWS and Incidental Take License (ITL) from Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) are set to expire in January 2026; therefore, an amended ITP from USFWS and an amended ITL from DLNR DOFAW covers the extended period of operations for the  Project.

Kaheawa Wind 1 is currently working with DOFAW and USFWS on the preparation of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to support their request for an amended and extended ITP from USFWS and ITL from DLNR DOFAW. The HCP will address four state and federal listed species (Covered Species) during the 20-year extended operational period. These are the same species covered by the existing ITL and ITP for the facility and include the following:

• ʻŌpe‘ape‘a or Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus);
• Nēnē or Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis);
• ‘A‘o or Newell’s shearwater (Puffinus newelli); and
• ‘Aa‘u or Hawaiian petrel (Ptrodroma sandwichensis).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the federal action of issuance of an Incidental Take Permit under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the federal Endangered Species Act.  This review will occur once the Habitat Conservation Plan has been drafted.