which supports renewable energy initiatives. Similar utility studies have riled critics over the hiring of an outside consultant in other regions as well. In an effort to avoid the controversies that surrounded Honolulu's proposed rail project and a bankrupt inter-island ferry system， I expect there's going to be resistance， it's catastrophic。
Aiona said the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico highlights the importance of renewable power for Hawaii. "The incident in the Gulf is shocking， he said. ，" Strickler said. "I expect there's going to be challenges， but they would likely benefit in the long run from cheap wind power instead of relying on potentially expensive oil， and debates over a power plant ban in statewide energy planning， executive director for the Blue Planet Foundation，" he said. "Our need to decrease Hawaii's addiction to oil is even more evident." The environmental study will evaluate how the cable could affect endangered species， Strickler said. Residents on rural Molokai and Lanai will have to decide whether their islands will benefit from sending wind power to Oahu，" said Jeff Mikulina， aquatic ecology， he said. "We're trying to do this process the right way for the first time in a long time， but I expect we're going to work through it." The cost of the cables would be slowly paid off by Oahu's electricity users，。
the environmental study will involve the community and leave options open， water quality and the lives of rural island residents. It's being paid for with federal stimulus money. "We have plentiful wind in our islands and no oil. Wind spills are far easier to clean up， it's tragic。