Welcome to Kaheawa Wind

     Turbines:   20

     Capacity:   30 MW

     COD:          June 22, 2006

     Location:   Maui, HI

Kaheawa Wind, a 30MW wind project, is nestled on a ridgeline of the West Maui Mountains overlooking Maui’s scenic shores. The project supports the goals of the Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to supply at least 70% of Hawai’i’s power from clean energy sources by 2030.

Isolated in the middle of a vast ocean, Hawaii's residents understand the value of self-reliance and the importance of preserving their unique environment. The relatively consistent trade winds blowing through the islands make Hawai’i an excellent candidate for wind power. Kaheawa Wind is harnessing Maui's sustainabile wind resource as an alternative to importing and burning oil for electricity.  First Wind is now developing a second phase adjacent to Phase 1, which will increase total generating capacity at the site to 51 MW.

The Kaheawa Wind project is unique because it was the first wind project in the United States with a detailed Habitat Conservation Plan. First Wind is a firm believer that an environmentally-friendly power source should be built in an environmentally-friendly way, and utilized the Plan to outline our environmental committments to sensitive wildlife and habitat.  

The Plan had a number of specific goals, among them:

• Identify the species likely to be affected and provide an estimate of the anticipated take for each;
• Prescribe mitigation that will provide a net benefit to the species affected;
• Describe plans for monitoring take and mitigation effectiveness;
• Describe measures for adjusting mitigation (increase or decrease) in the event that take is different from estimates;
• Describe a plan for implementing and administering the HCP in cooperation with state and federal agencies; and
• Ensure that adequate funding is provided.

Find out more about Kaheawa Wind’s Habitat Conservation Plan.