Rehabilitate Failing Electrical System for Settlement

Project Overview

Kalawao County relies completely on electricity produced by HECO at the Pala.au power plant. It is transmitted by high voltage lines down the cliff and into Kalaupapa Settlement. The entire network of poles, lines, insulators, transformers, etc. is known as the electrical distribution system. Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KNHP) manages this system and has initiated a rehabilitation project to bring the system up to current utility service code, improve reliability, reduce deferred maintenance, and minimize potential safety hazards to the Kalaupapa Community. Current service area extends from the main settlement to the airport. The electrical distribution system is hindered by deteriorated transformers, worn and frayed transmission lines, and pole and insulator failures that cause frequent power outages. Included in this project is the installation of new electrical service to the water pumphouse. The water system's pumps are currently powered by two diesel driven engine generators. The new electrical service will reduce the need for fuel storage, preclude potential fuel spills, eliminate onsite generator usage, reduce air pollution, and ensure safe and continuous clean water delivery to the community.

Project Update

The National Park Service strives to avoid or minimize impacts to all resources. This letter is to provide you with a status update as we transition from the predesign to the design phase of the project and continue consultation with our state and local partners. In December 2020, NPS held a public scoping meeting and sent out a newsletter relating to the Environmental Assessment (EA). In the months that followed, consulting parties provided valuable input that the project team used to evaluate the impacts of the project in preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA). We determined that effects on cultural resources need to be more thoroughly considered and addressed before continuing on with the EA process.

Known Historic Properties

As a result of the predesign process, cultural and natural resources that may be affected were identified. An analysis of the existing electrical system determined it to be eligible for the National Historical Landmark (NHL) as a contributing element to the KNHP.

Character defining features identified include: pole height, pole interval, crossbars 8’ or shorter in length, brown ceramic insulators, and fuse cutout that encloses the fuse, to name a few. Also identified during predesign studies were archaeological resources, historic surface features and walls, all of which contribute to the unique character of the settlement and help to tell the history of the Hawaiian community.

 

In the predesign phase, two elements of concern emerged that are requiring thoughtful resolution and ideas to move forward. The first concern is the Airport Road segment, where some existing power poles are located in a culturally sensitive area. The Park is anticipating relocating these poles away from any cultural sites and closer to the paved road. This new location will make it easier to access the poles for maintenance and protect the cultural sites. The challenge is to determine the most appropriate way to address the existing poles: (1) Leave them in place; (2) cut the poles at the base and remove in sections; and (3) determine any impacts of new poles being installed in the proposed area.

The second area of concern is regarding the installation of a new electrical service line to the water Pumphouse. An existing underground water line runs from the Pumphouse down Waihanau Road, then along Damien Road to the settlement. The project proposes to install the electrical line underground and parallel with the water line. This will allow the park to avoid disturbance of any surface archeological sites adjacent to these roads as well as impacts to the view scape. Hard rock and a narrow service corridor, however, is limiting options for design. Current options under discussion include (1) horizontal drilling and installation of a parallel electrical line to the existing water line; (2) an overland line option that does not involve poles but sits above ground with possible adverse effects on the historic viewshed and cultural landscape.

Next Steps

The Park is committed to delivering this project to the community with a high level of diligence, sensitivity, thoughtfulness and balance. As we continue the Section 106 Consultation Process, NPS will be seeking input from the public and consulting parties regarding potential design solutions to address the identified resource concerns. We will continue discussions with the consulting parties regarding the issues presented in this newsletter. We will take the input from these discussions to further develop the Environmental Assessment and expect to deliver the document to the public in Summer 2022.

For questions or general comments, please email us.