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Double Poles

Hawaiian Electric owns an estimated 168,206 utility poles, which support electricity distribution as well as provide the infrastructure for telecommunications service providers to distribute internet, telephone, cable television, and street and traffic light services.

A “Double Pole” situation is created when an older utility pole is replaced, and all or some of the lines and equipment (i.e., telecom equipment, street and traffic lights) from the older pole have not yet been transferred to the new pole. As a result, two utility poles exist where there used to be only one utility pole, until all equipment can be moved to the new pole and the old pole is removed.

When a double pole is created, all stakeholders (County, State, Charter, Hawaiian Telcom, Lumen, Servpac, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) are informed to complete their transfers in order for the old pole to be removed.

Our Double Pole Removal Plans

Hawaiian Electric agreed to ensure removal of all double poles that were identified in a 2018 audit by 2028, pursuant to a Decision and Order issued by the Public Utilities Commission in Docket No. 2018-0075. Double poles identified by this audit are referred to as “backlog” poles. Double poles created after this audit and that are created on a continual basis whenever existing poles are replaced are referred to as “preventive” or “post-audit” poles.

Hawaiian Electric has provided its “Double Pole Removal Plans,” located in Exhibit C of the Application Verification, which highlights both its short-term and long-term plans regarding these backlog poles. In its short-term plans, Hawaiian Electric estimated that by the end of 2024, it will have removed its targeted 1,296 backlog standard transfer double poles. For the long term, Hawaiian Electric is targeting to remove 1,305 backlog standard transfer double poles in years 2025 through 2027, and 1,269 poles in 2028, with the final goal of all backlog standard transfers to be completed by the end of 2028.

View Our Progress

Backlog and Preventive Double Poles

Double poles are split into two situations:

A “backlog” double pole is a double pole situation that was created before October 16, 2018 (the date on which Hawaiian Electric acquired ownership of the communications space on utility poles).
A “preventive” double pole is a situation created after October 16, 2018, in which existing poles are replaced due to maintenance and telecom attachments are not transferred over.

Double Poles Two Situations

Standard and Non-Standard Transfers

Standard Transfer

A "standard transfer" encompasses de-attaching existing facilities from an old pole and attaching them to a new pole in close proximity to the old pole. The new attachments may be located at the same or similar position on the new pole or cross arm on the new pole, and no cable splices are required. Standard transfers are to be accomplished without an interruption of Hawaiian Telcom services. Field conditions may determine the need to classify standard transfers as non-standard transfers.

Non-Standard Transfer

A "non-standard transfer" is a transfer that does not meet the explicit definition of a standard transfer and typically requires more work and/or materials to perform the transfer. A non-standard transfer potentially requires an interruption in Hawaiian Telcom services since it would involve having to cut-in or splice additional cable to accomplish the transfer.

Resources and Bi-Annual Reports

Stakeholder Meetings

Hawaiian Electric has met with various stakeholders from the State, City & County, and private sector to implement the Stipulated Comprehensive Double Pole Removal Plan (the “Stipulated Plan”). Listed below is a summary of the meetings held, along with meeting attendees and a summary of the issues discussed:

Sept. 18, 2024: 2024 Joint Pole Committee Annual Meeting – Oahu. Attended by representatives from Hawaiian Electric, City & County Department of Design & Construction, City & County Department of Facility Maintenance, and State Department of Transportation to discuss annual billing, Stipulated Plan progress, and work progress communication.
Nov. 6, 2024: Hawaii Island Semi-Annual Joint Pole Meeting. Attended by representatives from Hawaiian Electric and the County of Hawaii to discuss specific joint pole coordination issues related to double poles, line transfers, customer inquiries, and pole replacement projects.
Dec. 10, 2024: Double Pole Program Stakeholder Meeting. Attended by representatives from Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telcom, and various contractors to discuss status on implementation of the Stipulated Plan, vendor lead times for materials required, and contractor staffing issues.
September 2024 – Current (Ongoing): Weekly and Bi-Weekly Double Pole Coordination Meetings with Contractors. Attended by representatives from Hawaiian Electric and various contractors to discuss double pole progress updates, completion status reports, and double pole priorities resulting from customer inquiries.
September 2024 – Current (Ongoing): Bi-Weekly Double Pole Coordination Meetings with Hawaiian Telcom. Attended by representatives from Hawaiian Electric and Hawaiian Telcom to discuss double pole and joint pole coordination issues, issues related to materials for implementation, and recent customer and vegetation inquiries.
September 2024 – Current (Ongoing): Monthly Double Pole Coordination Meetings with Spectrum. Attended by representatives from Hawaiian Electric and Spectrum to discuss implementation issues related to line transfers, customer inquires, and pole replacement projects.