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HCDA report highlights vertical wind pilot, feral-animal plan and UH West Oʻahu heritage mapping at Kalaeloa sites
Summary
At its May 7 meeting the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority received its monthly report covering a vertical-wind turbine pilot at a Kalaeloa leased site, a feral-animal management plan at a heritage park, and ongoing heritage mapping with University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu students.
The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority heard an executive director’s report on May 7 highlighting a pilot installation of a vertical-axis wind turbine at a leased Kalaeloa Heritage site, a feral-animal management plan at Kalaeloa Heritage Park, and continuing heritage-inventory work that involves University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu students.
Executive Director Nakamoto summarized material in the staff monthly report and told members that Canoe Winds (transcript spelling variants) installed a vertical wind turbine at the KHLF site. Staff said the turbine is providing power for site lighting and other small loads. Board members were told the vertical design has been used in Japan, is quieter than large horizontal turbines, and company studies claim minimal risk to birds; HCDA approved a pilot deployment in an HCDA entrepreneur sandbox to gather performance data in the United States.
Members asked about the pilot’s goals and the potential for broader use in HCDA districts. A board member noted community resistance to large-scale turbines and said smaller vertical units may be more suitable for urban areas where land for large turbines is scarce. Director Nakamoto and other board members characterized the project as a data-gathering pilot; no formal policy change or approval beyond the pilot installation was taken at the meeting.
The executive director also addressed a feral-animal management plan for Kalaeloa Heritage Park. Board members recalled earlier concerns about chickens and roosters that led to development of a plan; staff said KHLF prepared the plan in response and reported that the population is not considered a major issue and that the animals are not being fed deliberately. Board members discussed that chickens can help control coconut rhinoceros beetle in the area and that feral cats remained of greater concern.
On heritage inventory work, staff said KHLF has an ongoing relationship with University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu, where students undertake mapping and project work; some of the maps cited by the board were older and staff said the HCDA inventory has been updated in recent months to include newer site features. A board member requested a presentation from the university on current student projects.
No formal actions were taken on these report items during the meeting; the matters were presented for information and staff follow-up.
