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Council approves Molokai carport solar lease to Molokai Clean Energy Hui; project aims to power about 150 households
Summary
Maui County Council adopted a lease of parking‑lot space at Kualapu'u Park on Molokai for a community‑based solar carport project. Backers said the 250‑kilowatt project would serve roughly 150 households and is part of a larger Molokai energy initiative.
The Maui County Council on July 8 approved a lease of county property at Kualapu'u Park and Community Center on Molokai to allow construction of carport solar arrays as part of a community‑based renewable energy (CBRE) project.
The resolution authorizes a lease to the Oahu Energy Cooperative Molokai and related entities for construction of four carport arrays that backers say will generate about 250 kilowatts — roughly enough to serve 150 households. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.
Why it matters: proponents said the project is a community‑designed step toward Molokai energy independence, disaster resilience and energy equity. Testimony described lengthy islandwide community engagement that produced a design aligned with local priorities for Lele Aina (land stewardship), disaster resilience and local benefit distribution.
Project details and testimony
Laurie Buchanan, who testified in support, told the council the project is part of a broader Molokai effort to bring renewable energy to the island and to meet state goals. She said the carport array would provide shade for parking and that the project team worked with the county arborist and parks staff on tree replacement plans.
Testifier Leilani summarized community outreach for the Molokai Clean Energy Hui, saying the co‑design process included more than 2,700 individual conversations, 1,467 islandwide surveys, 30 focus groups and more than 16 community events. She said the design met the community’s standards for self‑governance, energy equity and affordability.
Funding and timeline
At the meeting, speakers said the CBRE program includes a larger set of projects. The total package cited during committee discussion was about $21 million: roughly $3 million from congressional direct spending through the U.S. Department of Energy, and approximately $9 million each in loans from American Savings Bank and Inclusive Prosperity Capital. Proponents said the carport component is expected to begin permitting and interconnection work and, if permitted, could supply savings of roughly 10–20% for subscribers; the lease term is 20 years.
Council action and next steps
The council adopted the lease resolution and will coordinate permitting, tree replanting plans and park access modifications with project leaders and county parks staff. Council members praised the extensive community involvement and noted the project’s potential to provide both shade and distributed generation capacity for the island.
Ending note
Supporters said the project represents a milestone for Molokai in community‑designed renewable energy and could provide modest cost savings to participating households while advancing local ownership of generation assets.
