The collapsed summit of Kīlauea Volcano and Mauna Loa are visible from Byron Ledge Trail. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is proposing to relocate a series of electrical transmission lines from an area that is difficult and dangerous to access to nearer a public highway. 

In coordination with Hawaiian Electric (HECO), the park seeks public input on their environmental assessment of a proposed electrical line relocation project within the park that would make the system more resilient to extreme weather. 

The project will relocate the sub-transmission electric utility poles and power lines and improve reliability and resilience in the area between Piʻi Mauna Drive and the Hilo-side park boundary near Old Volcano Road. The project is Phase 3 of HECO’s efforts to upgrade its transmission line that spans from Puna to just outside the park’s Kaʻū boundary. 

Comments received during public scoping for Phase 3 were considered for the environmental assessment. Phase 1 and 2, completed in 2020, included the area between the Kīlauea Switching Station outside the Kaʻū-side boundary to Piʻi Mauna Drive within the park.   

Existing poles and lines are located along a corridor within hazardous terrain, including earth cracks and lava tubes. Maintenance and repairs are currently difficult and unsafe. Relocating the line along the highway will also help reduce potential impacts to forested areas in the park.  

HVNP worked closely with HECO and Tetra Tech, Inc. to develop and analyze alternatives, develop mitigation measures, and conduct consultations. Two main actions are proposed: 

1.   Relocate the existing power line by installing new poles and transmission and distribution lines along 2.6 miles of Highway 11; and  
2.   Remove and/or decommission approximately 2.6 miles of existing poles and transmission and distribution lines within the current power line alignment in HVNP. 
The park encourages the community to provide input during the 30-day comment period which starts September 23, 2024. There are three ways to provide input:  
 
•   Online: Visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/Phase3 for project information to submit your comment online. 
•   Email: Send comments to [email protected] 
•   Hard copy: Mail written comments to the following address:  

Attention: 3400 Phase 3 Power Line Relocation 
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park 
P.O. Box 52 
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052 
 
Comments must be submitted online, via email, or postmarked by October 23, 2024 to be considered.