WAIANAE, Hawaii (KHON2) — As the summer fire season looms, a state lawmaker is sounding the alarm about dangerous utility conditions in West Oahu.
State representative Darius Kila demands immediate action from Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum Hawaii.
In a letter sent on Wednesday, May 21, Kila highlighted aging poles, sagging wires and overgrown vegetation along Farrington Highway.
“I hate that it’s always reactive and not proactive. Because again, I will invite folks to just take a quick five-minute, 10-minute drive down the Waianae Coast on Farrington Highway and you can point to the derelict poles, the derelict wires, the hanging wires,” said Rep. Kila (D – Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, Maili).
He’s given the companies just 30 days to give an update on how they plan to identify, remove and replace abandoned, damaged or unused infrastructure.
The task isn’t simple, since multiple entities share responsibility.
“We have to work with other utilities, with private landowners, with the government, you know. Everybody has their part to play, but it’s also something that we share together,” said Darren Pai, HECO spokesperson.
The state is taking action. Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Deputy Director said they’re currently acquiring land to open Paakea Road as a permanent alternate route to Farrington.
“And when this route is open, it will be 24/7, it’s not going to be an emergency route, it’s going to be for everyday for public use. So there will be no more gates on that route and anybody can access the route at any time,” Robin Shishido, HDOT Deputy Director, explained.
Pai added that over 1,300 poles have been inspected in the area since 2023, 100 have been removed since 2020 and vegetation management in the area is expected to be complete by the end of June.
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Spectrum said it does not own any of the poles in question, but they have hundreds of technicians who monitor and maintain its infrastructure.