The proposed wind farm would transmit as much as 400 megawatts of electricity to Oahu via an undersea cable from wind farms on Lanai and Molokai.
Hawaiian Electric Co. and Castle & Cooke Resorts officials contend that Lanai residents could see some benefits ranging from lower electric rates and guaranteed employment to hunting access and water rights as part of agreements they reached Friday on pricing terms for a Lanai wind farm.
But at least some Lanai residents say the agreement isn’t fair and would turn the island into “an industrial park” to provide electricity for Oahu.
The Lanai benefits proposal was the result of three years of informational and other meetings, at which company officials listened to residents’ concerns, the announcement said. Those providing input included the Carpenters Union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Lanaians for Sensible Growth, Friends of Lana’i and small-business owners.