Kaze Power reports safe operation and modest output from Kakaako vertical-axis turbine demo

Kaze Power (formerly Kanoa Winds) presented an update to the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority Kakaʻako Authority on Jan. 7 about a vertical-axis wind turbine demonstration installed in Lot C of the entrepreneurs' sandbox parking area.

Company principals Robert Cundiff and Jason Fotrepay described site selection, installation details, and monitoring systems. They said the unit stands about 25 feet tall, is mounted on an 8-by-8-foot concrete foundation with embedded lag bolts and rebar, and is enclosed with security fencing. The demonstrator includes a Wi‑Fi station, wind and vibration sensors, video monitoring, and an integrated battery-and-inverter system that balances wind and solar input.

Kaze Power reported the turbine is "performing as expected," with average power production around 3 kilowatt-hours and higher output during gust events; wind speeds reported in their monitoring have averaged roughly 7–8 mph with gusts up to about 28 mph. Presenters said they have observed no bird or bat strikes and no evidence of vibration damage to the foundation or parking surface during their monitoring. They also noted that ambient urban noise and traffic often exceed the turbine's sound, making the unit's noise difficult to distinguish except during very calm periods.

Presenters acknowledged delays in programming a public display board that will show live or recent data; they said they plan to increase public access to Wi‑Fi and weather-station data and to continue testing battery integration and other system components. Board members suggested including weather data and other collected metrics in the display.

The item was informational; no action or vote was required.