Community Outreach
August 2019
Made an initial presentation to Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board #34
September 2019
Updated the Neighborhood Board and offered site visits to KES
October 2019
Received CUP-m from the Department of Planning and Permitting
November 2019
Hosted KES site visit with local stakeholders
December 2019
Received unanimous support from Neighborhood Board #34
May 2020
Selected by Hawaiian Electric for final award
July 14, 2020
Held virtual community meeting
July 14 to August 14 , 2020
Participated in 30-day public comment period
May 2021
Recevied approval from Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
August 2021
Held ground blessing ceremony
April 2022
Began construction
June 2023
Held on-site training with Honolulu Fire Department
December 2023
Commenced operation
Local Support
KES continues to inform West Oahu stakeholders about the project and address questions and concerns. The project team made several project presentations and updates before the Makakilo / Kapolei / Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board #34. At its December 3, 2019 meeting, NB #34 voted in unanimous support of KES. The project team also made presentations to the Kapolei Rotary Club, hosted interested individuals to site visits, and shared its plans with area elected officials.
Safety
Since 2019, KES has communicated frequently with Honolulu Fire Department about the facility’s design and safety procedures.
On June 20, 2023, the KES team was honored to contribute our safety planning experience to a lithium-ion training day organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation, and Honolulu Fire Department.
Since 2024, the KES team has convened Honolulu Fire Department on an annual basis to train them on the site’s emergency response plan and ensure they are up to date on national battery energy storage safety guidelines and procedures.
Charitable Contributions
KES is proud to support a number of local non-profit organizations who are working to improve lives in West Oahu and Hawaii. They include:
Community Benefits
KES will be a good neighbor and a valuable asset to the surrounding community for decades to come. The project provides necessary capacity to the island with no air polluting emissions. As a static facility with insignificant traffic and minimal municipal services, KES will have little impact on neighbors. Significant project benefits to the community include:
● High-paying construction and O&M jobs
● Enhanced resiliency from a new, state-of-the-art power resource
● Expanded property tax base for the local district