Military Data Center in Kihei, Hawaii, Draws Community Environmental Concerns
A $100 million military facility in Kihei, South Maui, is drawing concern from Native Hawaiian, environmental and other community groups who say the project received insufficient public scrutiny. The facility supports remote operation of military telescopes and includes diesel generators and a 12,000-gallon fuel tank, raising concerns about water use, electricity costs, pollution and wildfire risk.
The military has built a large facility in Kihei, South Maui, to remotely operate telescopes and track satellites and other objects in orbit. The project is associated with several telescopes planned for Haleakala and has been described variously as a data center, data facility or laboratory. Civil Beat reporter Chad Blair discussed the facility after community members questioned how construction proceeded with limited public attention.
Native Hawaiian residents, environmentalists and other Maui community members are concerned about the facility's potential consumption of water and electricity, as well as its effect on already-high utility costs. The site includes large diesel generators, fuel tanks and a 12,000-gallon tank, prompting additional concerns about contamination, fire and wildfire risk. The military says consolidating operations could eventually reduce water and electricity costs, but critics say the environmental review was not sufficiently rigorous; a public comment period remains ahead.