Maui Wind Farm Powers 17,000 Homes for 25 More Years

Hawaii just secured a quarter century more of clean energy after approving a new lease for a wind farm that's been serving Maui for nearly two decades.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved a 25-year lease for Kaheawa Wind Power I, a wind energy facility in West Maui's Kaheawa Pastures area. The farm's 20 turbines have been spinning since 2006, generating enough electricity to power about 17,000 Maui homes each year.

The new lease covers 200 acres of state land and includes six months for turbine upgrades, 20 years of operation, and up to two years for eventual decommissioning. While the facility can continue producing its 30 megawatts of capacity, the agreement doesn't allow for expansion or new turbines.

The annual rent starts at $300,000 or 3.5% of gross revenue, whichever is higher. After a decade, the state will reassess the rate to ensure fair market value for the next 10-year period.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond keeping lights on across Maui, this lease creates a funding stream that reaches far beyond the wind farm itself. Revenue flows into Hawaii's Special Land and Development Fund, which bankrolls conservation and resource management projects throughout the state's islands.

The approval came after completing extensive environmental reviews. In December 2025, the board accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement and approved a Habitat Conservation Plan to protect local wildlife.

"This decision supports Hawaii's long-term renewable energy goals and the responsible management of public lands," said DLNR Acting Chair Ryan Kanakaʻole. The lease revenue plays a vital role in sustaining the department's conservation work statewide.

The board conducted the meeting on Maui itself, following state law requiring renewable energy lease decisions to happen on the island where the public lands are located. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife will continue managing the entrance area to the project site.

Twenty years of reliable clean energy serving an island community while funding nature protection across an entire state.