Hawaii nonprofits want input on offshore wind farm proposals

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) - Hawaii nonprofit organizations are calling on federal officials to include members of the public in plans to build floating wind turbines off Hawaii's shores before they move forward with the projects.

The Garden Island reports that Henry Curtis with Life of the Land voiced his concerns in a letter to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. He says the off-shore wind projects could affect people who fish, boat, canoe or have a "spiritual connection" to the waters and that public meetings should be held on Kauai and Oahu.

BOEM has received bids from two companies to build off-shore turbines along the northwest and south sides of Oahu.

Federal officials say they're reviewing three lease requests for offshore Hawaii, and will then complete environmental assessments and stakeholder engagement.

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