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
Plus Power continues to inform West Oahu stakeholders about the KES project and address questions and concerns. Plus Power 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. Plus Power 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, Plus Power has communicated frequently with Honolulu Fire Department about the Kapolei Energy Storage facility.
On June 20, 2023, Plus Power 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.
In February 2024, Plus Power and the Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG) held a training on battery energy storage safety for Honolulu Fire Department’s hazmat team at the KES site.
Charitable Contributions
Plus Power is proud to support a number of local non-profit organizations who are working to improve lives in West Oahu and Hawaii. They include:
Honolulu Firefighters Foundation
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
