Wind farm submits study on endangered species impacts

The Kawailoa Wind Project on Oahu’s North Shore had previously expected it would have an impact on endangered Hawaiian hoary bats that live in the area and had discussed the impacts in an initial environmental impact statement. But now the 69-megawatt wind farm located near Haleiwa expects it may kill about 200 more bats than originally   expected, and also could accidently kill about two dozen endangered Hawaiian petrels.

The wind farm, which consists of 30 wind turbines nearly 500 feet tall, produces up to 69 megawatts of electricity, power that is sold to Hawaiian Electric Co. The project plans to mitigate the impact to the creatures through measures like restoring bat habitat and contributing $2.8 million to acquire and protect the Helemano Wilderness Area through a partnership with the Trust for Public Land.