H.C.R. NO. 43 Summary

• Requests Hawaiian Electric Company to conduct a study identifying and removing redundant utility poles on Oahu, where the company owns over 100,000 poles.

• Addresses "double poles" created when new utility poles are installed adjacent to existing poles to transfer electric, telephone, cable, or other wires, with the original poles often left in place.

• Targets removal of wooden utility poles that are aged, damaged by soil conditions or termites, significantly out of position, or susceptible to falling during adverse weather.

• Requests Hawaiian Electric to consider ways to reduce risk and increase efficiency when removing redundant utility poles and to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by twenty days prior to the 2023 Regular Session convening.

• Aims to eliminate public hazards, improve aesthetics, and organize utility pole lines while benefiting surrounding communities.