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Committee presses utilities and DOT to coordinate on derelict poles along Farrington Highway
Summary
Hawaiian Electric and Hawaiian Telcom supported a resolution directing DOT and utilities to create a statewide plan to address derelict or aging utility poles; DOT noted liability concerns and said the measure seeks collaborative, data‑driven asset management.
Shannon Aliabadi of Hawaiian Electric told the committee the company supports the intent of HCR 125/HR 117 and has been coordinating with partners, including telecom providers, following prior directives. Janine Suki of Hawaiian Telcom also supported the measure and urged careful coordination along Farrington Highway because constrained egress and narrow corridors make repairs and maintenance complex.
Chair and members asked whether flooding had damaged utility infrastructure; both companies said they had not experienced major damage in the recent events the committee referenced. DOT warned of potential liabilities if aging poles in state rights‑of‑way fall and create hazards and said the measure’s intent is to create a data‑driven, systematic plan with utilities to identify and remediate at‑risk poles in high‑priority corridors.
HCR 125/HR 117 was adopted with HD1 amendments to request DOT coordinate with utility providers on a comprehensive statewide plan and schedule for derelict or aging poles along Farrington Highway and other corridors. The committee asked the DOT and utilities to work toward clarifying costs and timelines and to include actionable milestones in the committee report.
Next steps: DOT will work with utility partners to inventory assets, report on liability exposure, and deliver recommendations on sequencing and funding options in future committee reports.
