Lala. Electricity. State Inquiy?

[punikahakaiferret]

Again, HotPE, dead-on.

Hindsight being what it is, perhaps back in the day in the contract for lots being sold, there should have been some sort of...um, what is the word I'm looking for? Codicil? Stating that it is the responsibility of the property owner to eliminate invasive/problem trees and control weed growth when they reach X amount high, or X amount near adjoining lots, or X amount near the easement, yadayada, or that they will be assessed and billed accordingly?

To clarify, I'm not saying that every lot needs to be scraped bare and covered in red cinder, ala HPP, but if you're going to buy a lot you should have to maintain it in some form or fashion and not just let it get overgrown with invasive junk trees that are posing hazards. I'm not quite grasping why people bought lots so long ago and seemingly never had any intention of building on them or developing them at all, and they're just sitting there getting more and more overgrown, and potentially being squatted in, dumped in, and what-not. It really does destroy a lot of the beauty of the area.

Or, something stating the lot needs to be improved within X time or...? Yeah, that's getting into a tricky area.

[Durian Fiend]

Removing those big albizias is quite expensive, from what I hear. Perhaps Helco could map out which ones should be removed and then offer some financial assistance to get it done. A one time offer only, per lot, however. After that the responsibility is entirely on the land owner.

Too many residents, not ghost owners, are lazy about dealing with smaller albizias near their roads that could easily be removed. I've killed many along roads far from my property, and absolutely none of them are allowed to be growing on my land.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I found this HPPOA plan from Jan 2014 on their website.
https://www.hppoa.net/general-informatio...tion-plan/

   

[HiloJulie]

I think some of you guys are giving HE too much slack with respect to who is responsible for keeping all main transmission lines clear and safe: (from HE's frequently asked questions)

Statutory Duty to Maintain Safely: 
Under the regulatory oversight of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and general utility laws (HRS Chapter 269), utilities like Hawaiian Electric are legally required to keep lines safe and reliable. This legal requirement overrides standard private property restrictions.

Right of Entry: 
Utilities hold a legal right-of-way or easement to access private property at all reasonable times to prune trees or clear poles. Homeowners cannot legally refuse or block access for required high-voltage line clearance.

Obviously, the service drop from main line to your house is on you, and regardless of the main lines running over a homeowners or vacant lot property, the responsibility and cost to keep all main lines clear is Hawaiian Electric's.

Further obvious is that keeping the lines clear is a cost of associated with providing service.

Expecting the County or various HOA's and or residents to take on this responsibility is pointless and possibly deadly.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Expecting the County or various HOA's and or residents

Aspludh Tree is contracted with HECO to clear under power lines.  They do this without turning off power.
Yes, ideally HECO would take care of this problem. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to trim trees under and next to their lines to the ground than fly in overtime line workers from the mainland every five years or so?

Then why don’t they?

[kalianna]

Trees can be 50ʻ tall or more. Trimming the trees on the easements wonʻt do a whole lot to solve the problem although it certainly wouldnʻt hurt.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Trimming the trees on the easements wonʻt do a whole lot 

Less trees, less potential damage.  Power restoration would proceed faster with less lines to repair.  Wouldn’t you rather have power back on, running water, a working refrigerator in three days, or six days? It makes a difference don’t you think? Trees away from the easement can fall in three different directions without hitting a power line.

[HiloJulie]

Aspludh Tree is contracted with HECO to clear under power lines.  They do this without turning off power.
Yes, ideally HECO would take care of this problem. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to trim trees under and next to their lines to the ground than fly in overtime line workers from the mainland every five years or so?
Then why don’t they?

Those are excellent questions, but way above my pay grade. I have also said this before, but common every few years in the Acres is to see Asplundh come down the road and trim the tress for the power lines only to see a few weeks later, same crews, same trucks come down the same road and trim the trees below the phone/fiber lines.

May I suggest we ask the CEO of now both HE and HEI. With his 5 plus million dollars pay package, I am sure he would have a good answer. 

But taking on their responsibility serves no tangible purpose in the end and could expose the County and/or a HOA to various liability issues as well.

One possible far cheaper in the long run alternative for all concerned: - - > Microgrids

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

May I suggest we ask the CEO of now both HE and HEI. 

I spoke with a county surveyor many years ago.  Very helpful.  Even with the correct legal information, correct measurements and ownership description from him, when I contacted HPPOA the reply was shouting from the back room “NO ITS NOT! NO ITS NOT!”

My interaction with HECO and the PUC was similar.  HECO submitted demonstrably false documentation.  I had photos that clearly contradicted their written submission.  

You can’t ask HPPOA or HECO for the information you need to find out why they won’t trim trees.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Utility workers flown in from California and other islands.  Where do they stay? What do they eat?
Three trucks flown in by transport plane.

Wouldn’t it be cheaper to cut trees?  Without overtime?  Pay laborers instead of trained electricians?

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/24/truc...storation/