Community outreach

Project contact information 

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our Community Outreach Representative.

Community Outreach Representative: Carrice Gardner 

Email: aeswestoahusolar@aes.com

Project Hotline: +1 (808) 800-3942 

 

Regulatory approvals and community outreach

Continuous outreach activities including meetings, correspondence and discussions with elected officials, Neighborhood Board members, Mālama Learning Center, Grace Pacific, Villages of Kapolei Association, Palehua Community Association, and Wai Kalo'i Community Association.

Monthly Construction Updates

 

Building Permit Comment Responses Submitted – May 2, 2022

Grading Permit Received – April 29, 2022

City and County of Honolulu Conditional Use Permit (minor) (CUP-m) - August 3, 2021

  • June 9-10, 2021 Public Hearing

         Agenda

         Public Comments & Correspondence

City and County of Honolulu Conditional Use Permit (minor) (CUP-m) - August 3, 2021

  • June 9-10, 2021 Public Hearing

         Agenda

         Public Comments & Correspondence

  • March 17, 2021 Public Hearing

Hawaii State Land Use Commission

  • January 6, 2021 Public Hearing

          Agenda, Minutes, and WebEx Recording 

          Notice of Public Hearing

          Presentation 

State of Hawai‘i Special Use Permit  (SUP)

  • SUP Public and Agency Comment/Review

      Notification to area landowners, elected officials, Neighborhood Boards, area organizations, and community associations - October, 2020

City & County of Honolulu Planning Commission

Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board - August 26, 2020

         Agenda

         Minutes 

         Presentation 

Environmental Assessment (EA)

  • EA Scoping - September, 2019
  • Draft EA Comment Period - April/May, 2020
  • FEA and FONSI - July, 2020

Early-Stage Public Community Meeting - February 26, 2018

          Presentation

Public Utilities Commission DOCKET no. 2019-0050


Community Outreach Plan 

          Download Here

 

Project benefits

$20.2 Million

Job creation and economic benefits

It is estimated that the Project construction would result in creation of 118 jobs and generate a total economic output of $20.2 million toward Hawai'i's economy.

$0.115/kWh

less than the cost of fossil fuel 

Under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Project would deliver power at $0.115/kWh – less than the cost of fossil fuel power. *

0.5%

of O'ahu’s energy needs

Upon completion, the Project is anticipated to contribute approximately 0.5% of O'ahu’s energy needs. *

750,270

barrels of oil avoided

The project is expected to result in total avoided fuel consumption of 750,270 barrels of oil over its 25-year span.**

*Two sources: Hawaii PUC Dockets 2019-0050, 2018-0436, 2018-0430; Exhibit 6

Project overview

Project timeline

Project Details

Collaboration and engagement

AES Distributed Energy is deeply committed to becoming an active, invested member in the communities we serve.

Throughout the process, AES has and will continue to engage and listen carefully to community feedback on the Project. Specific issues identified by the community thus far are actively being addressed and we continue to seek input to ensure we are responsibly examining concerns.

 

Archaeological and cultural resources

AES recognizes we have a responsibility to respectfully address archaeological and cultural resources early in the process. With this understanding, we started the project by undertaking the following actions:

Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA)

One of the initial steps in the process was to prepare a CIA in consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations, agencies and community members to obtain input regarding present and past uses, cultural sites, traditional gathering practices, cultural association and any associated cultural concerns and identify historic and cultural issues in the project area and region.

Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS)

To identify and document any potential historic properties within the project area, an AIS was conducted, and is pending review by the State of Hawai’i Historic Preservation Division (SHPD).

 

Agriculture

Solar facilities are considered to be highly compatible with agriculture activities. AES has pursued partnerships with potential compatible agricultural operators early in the project development stage.

Honey production

Specific beekeeping requirements have been incorporated into the project site plan.

Cattle production and grazing

The area is currently used for cattle ranching. In consultation with an existing area rancher, rotational cattle grazing will be incorporated into compatible agricultural plans for the site.

 

Visual impacts

Community members have raised visual impacts as an important consideration.

Sensitive siting

As much as possible, the project will be designed and laid out to reduce visual impacts, especially from neighboring communities.

Landscaping

Where practicable, landscaping will be incorporated to further reduce visual impacts.

Visual simulations and view planes

To better understand the visual impacts, AES prepared renderings to simulate views of the project from various vantage points.

Glint and glare

A Glare analysis has been conducted from key observation points and conservative model results indicated very limited impact to commuters, residents, and air traffic.

Visual simulations

west oahu existing

Existing conditions 

west oahu existing

Simulated conditions 

shipping container

Contact us

We appreciate your interest and participation in Hawai’i’s renewable energy future. We look forward to hearing your ideas, thoughts and comments.

Community Outreach Representative: Carrice Gardner

Project Hotline: +1 (808) 800-3942

Email: AESWestOahuSolar@aes.com

Media

farms

West Oahu solar project gets green light from the Public Utilities Commission

Lawaii sheep

State agency approves 80-acre solar project near UH West Oahu

farm

PUC approves the AES West Oahu Solar Project (Hawaii: State Of Clean Energy)

Hawai'i’s 100% clean energy future