NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

APPLICATION OF HAWAII ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, INC.
FOR APPROVAL TO CONSTRUCT AN
OVERHEAD 69KV TRANSMISSION LINE PURSUANT TO
HRS SECTION 269-27.6(A) FOR ITEM H00001463,
KEALAKAHA BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

DOCKET NO. 2006-0181

The PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION of the STATE OF HAWAII (“Commission”), pursuant to Section 269-27.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), HEREBY GIVES NOTICE, that it will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., at Paauilo Elementary and Intermediate School Cafeteria (43-1497 Old Main Road, Paauilo, Hawaii, 96776) regarding the application of HAWAII ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, INC. (“HELCO”), filed on July 13, 2006, for Commission approval of, among other things, the proposed construction of a 69 kilovolt (“kV”) overhead transmission line (to relocate an existing line), pursuant to HRS § 269-27.6(a), for the Kealakaha Bridge Replacement project (“Proposed Project”).

The Proposed Project was initiated at the request of the Hawaii State Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and is being proposed to accommodate the DOT’s plans to replace the existing Kealakaha Bridge (the “Bridge”) which is located on Hawaii Belt Highway in the Hamakua area of the island of Hawaii. The DOT’s bridge replacement project is occurring to mitigate heavy traffic in the area and to provide safe passage over the Kealakaha stream. A section of HELCO’s existing pole line (approximately one-third mile long) along the makai side of the Hawaii Belt Highway supporting HELCO’s 69kV, 34kV and 4.160kV overhead lines will be affected by the DOT’s bridge replacement project and these lines are planned to be relocated to the mauka side of the highway in alignment with the new bridge and in accordance with the DOT’s plans. For this relocation work, HELCO will be coordinating with Hawaiian Telcom, Inc. (“Hawaiian Telcom”) and Oceanic Time Warner Cable (“Oceanic”) regarding the relocation requirements of their affected facilities. The current estimated cost of the Proposed Project is $270,214 (including removal costs and customer contribution), which will be shared 50/50 between HELCO and the DOT, pursuant to the requirements of HRS § 264-33.

The Proposed Project involves the installation of: (1) seven 90-foot wooden poles designed for one circuit each of 69kV and 34kV, with 4.160kV and communications underbuild, and (2) one 35-foot wooden pole for secondary service to two residences in the area. For the 69kV circuit, approximately 1,807 circuit feet of 3W-556.5 MCM AAC conductors and 1,807 feet of 1W-#3/0 AAAC static wire at the top of the pole for lighting protection will be installed. For the 34kV circuit and 4.160kV underbuild, HELCO plans to install approximately 1,807 feet of 3W-#336.4 MCM AAC conductors and approximately 1,807 circuit feet of 3W-3/0 AAAC and 1W-#3/0 AAAC neutral conductors, respectively. The existing Oceanic’s underbuild and Hawaiian Telcom’s facilities, currently on a separate pole line, will be transferred to a new wooden pole by the respective companies, and anchors and guy wires will be required to support the pole line. The Proposed Project also involves the removal of: (1) five wooden poles; and (2) approximately 1,628 circuit feet each of: (a) 3W-556.5 MCM AAC 69kV conductors; (b) 1W-#3/0 AAAC static wire; (c) 3W-4/0 ACSR 34kV conductors; and (d) #4 BC and 1W-#3/0 AAAC neutral 4.160kV conductors. HELCO’s removal work does not include the removal of Oceanic’s underbuild and Hawaiian Telcom’s pole line on the mauka side of the highway.

In order to expedite work on the Proposed Project so that the contractor hired by the DOT could begin work replacing the Bridge, HELCO received Commission interim approval on July 12, 2006, to immediately remove two (2) of the existing poles and sections of the overhead lines and install three (3) of the planned 90-foot wooden poles and 69kV, 34kV and 4.2kV lines in the project area. For a more detailed description of the Proposed Project, please refer to HELCO’s application for Commission approval of the Proposed Project which is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the locations listed below.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing to state their views orally, in writing, or both. Written statements may be submitted prior to or at the public hearing. Statements may be mailed or delivered to the Public Utilities Commission, 465 South King Street, #103, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813. Statements may also be sent by electronic mail to the Commission’s e-mail address at Hawaii.PUC@hawaii.gov. All written statements should reference Docket No. 2006-0181 and must include the following information: (1) name of the person submitting the written statement; (2) organization representing (if any); and (3) address of the person submitting the written statement.

Copies of HELCO’s application and supporting exhibits are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the following locations:

1. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
465 South King Street, Room 103
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-2020

2. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
HAWAII DISTRICT OFFICE
688 Kinoole Street, Room 106-A
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 974-4533

3. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY
335 Merchant Street, Room 326
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-2800

4. HAWAII ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, INC.
1200 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 969-0121

5. HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
Central Pacific Plaza, Suite 1301
220 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 543-4787

Special arrangements to accommodate persons with disabilities can be made if requested reasonably in advance by contacting the Commission’s Honolulu Office at (808) 586-2020.

Carlito P. Caliboso
Chairman (SB05524396 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26/06)