UKUMEHAME, MAUI, HAWAII - Governor Linda Lingle was on hand October 28 to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for Kaheawa Wind Power’s wind farm project, which is designed to provide, on average, 9 percent of Maui’s electrical energy needs.

Kaheawa Wind Power's generators will be Maui's first commercial-scale wind power project. Twenty wind turbines will operate on State of Hawaii land above Ukumehame producing 30 Megawatts (MW) of energy, enough to supply approximately 11,000 Maui households. The project is expected to be serving Maui in April 2006.

“It’s certainly something we’ve been looking forward to for many years now,” said Maui Electric Co. President Ed Reinhardt of the wind farm, which will provide MECO with a significant source of renewable energy.

The groundbreaking took place at the staging area for the project, located next to Malalowaiaole Gulch above the Pali Highway. The staging area is the first stop on a gravel road which will be used to transport the project components. The project site itself is located at the 2000 to 3000 foot elevation. The access road being improved was previously used by Department of Land and Natural Resources and Maui Electric Company. The road improvements are needed to accommodate the heavy project loads and at the same time will provide improved access for all permitted users.

Kaheawa Wind Power, LLC. is owned by a partnership between UPC Wind Partners, LLC, and Makani Nui Associates, LLC, a Maui based company. Kaheawa Wind Power, LLC has arranged for financing of approximately $69 million to complete the project.

UPC built, owns and operates approximately 640 MW of wind projects, many in Italy, and is developing 1,500 MW of wind projects in North America.

The principals of Makani Nui are Mauians Kent Smith, President of Smith Development, a prominent developer of real estate and affordable housing projects on Maui and the Big Island; and Hilton Unemori of ECM, Inc., an electrical engineering firm serving the entire state of Hawaii.

The groundbreaking commenced with a prayer by the Rev. Bruce Lee of Ekalesia O Kupaianaha Church. Remarks on the project were delivered by Governor Linda Lingle, Kent Smith of Makani Nui, Paul Gaynor the President of UPC Wind Management, Ed Reinhardt, President of Maui Electric Co. and Bill Bonnet, Vice President of Community Affairs for Hawaii Electric Co.

Mike Gresham, Vice President of Kaheawa Wind, says, “This project has been talked about for many years. We are proud to be the team that finally brings the benefits of renewable energy to the Maui community. Every resident and visitor to Maui benefits from the financial and environmental benefits that Kaheawa Wind Power provides. In addition we can all be proud of the direction and legacy this project represents for future generations.”

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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