Support the Kahuku Community’s wind turbine case at the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments on April 1 in Keep the North Shore Country’s case on the incidental take license of ʻōpeʻapeʻa for the Na Pua Makani wind turbines in Kahuku.
While this specific appeal is about the take of ʻōpeʻapeʻa, community groups—Kahuku Community Association and Keep the North Shore Country—have long expressed opposition and many concerns over this and other nearby wind farms, including proximity to neighborhoods and schools, noise levels, environmental and wildlife protection, and general community health and safety.
Incidental take
This case before the Supreme Court stems from a Board of Land and Natural Resources decision to approve Na Pua Makani Power Partners, LLC’s application for a habitat conservation plan and incidental take license that would allow Na Pua Makani to take 51 ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, or Hawaiian hoary bats, over 21 years.
Wind turbines threaten ʻōpeʻapeʻa, as it is believed that turbines can attract bats believing the turbines resemble trees or nearby resources, resulting in harm or death.
A developer must complete a Habitat Conservation Plan and receive an incidental take license from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources to allow “take” (think: accidental harm/killing) of endangered or threatened species while carrying out an otherwise lawful activity.
The Na Pua Makani turbines are not currently operating due to legal actions, with two appeals in front of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court against this project.
Energy project citing
The Na Pua Makani wind turbines are the largest turbines in the nation, constructed in closer proximity to nearby communities than is currently allowed.
Na Pua Makani Power Partners, LLC signed a power purchase agreement with the Hawaiian Electric Company in 2013.
This is not the only wind farm on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Since 2008, 42 wind turbines have been erected on the North Shore—which were also opposed by the nearby communities.
The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi is not a party in any appeal over the Na Pua Makani wind turbines, however we stand in solidarity with the many community groups and members fighting for the safety of their communities and environment. Hawaiʻi cannot achieve justice in our energy system until impacted communities are a true part of the decision making process of energy projects cited in their backyards. Na Pua Makani is just one example of many demonstrating the entrenched injustice of our current top-down energy system.