Kahului, Maui, Hawaii – Future island leaders will have an up-close glimpse today of the construction of Maui’s first commercial-scale wind farm.

Mike Gresham, vice president of Kaheawa Wind Power LLC, will give a briefing on the project to the Pacific Century Fellows at 1:30pm, before taking them on a tour of the site above McGregor Point.

Because the majority of the Fellows are from Oahu, each year they visit a neighbor island as part of their program. This year they voted for Maui, and planned a 2-day trip that will focus on the environment, economic development, conservation, and culture.

The objective of the Pacific Century Fellows Program is to develop leaders with a greater awareness and sensitivity to the people and institutions of Hawai‘i. Founded by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in 1995, and based on the White House Fellows Program, the Pacific Century Fellows Program brings together Hawai‘i’s most promising individuals from all walks of life, fields, and professions. The program encourages the development of long-term relationships between leaders young and old, united in their commitment to find creative solutions to the challenges facing the state. Present Fellows and alumni with Maui ties include Keith Regan, Kika Bukoski, William Russell, Grelyn Rosario, Lynn Araki-Regan, Danny Agsalog, and Senator J. Kalani English.

Kaheawa Wind Power’s 30-megawatt renewable energy project will produce nearly 10% of Maui’s electricity, enough to supply approximately 11,000 households. Among other environmental benefits, the project will eliminate the use of approximately 244,000 equivalent barrels of oil annually, and thereby help reduce the state’s dependence on imported oil. For more information about the wind farm, see www.kaheawa.com.

About First Wind
First Wind is based in Newton, Massachusetts. First Wind is an American-owned company, with a proven track record of developing, owning, and operating well-sited, community-friendly wind farms that increase energy independence. For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com.

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For more information, contact:
John Lamontagne
Director, Communications
First Wind
617-964-3340

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LuAnne Yapp
Gilbert & Associates
P 808-871-6230 ext. 15
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