Verizon Wireless is proposing to construct a 104-foot cellular tower on state land the company says will boost coverage for users in the Kona International Airport area.
The 104-foot monopole will feature a dozen 8-foot panel antennas mounted at the top and will be located within a 1,200-square-foot fenced in area mauka of the airport, reads a draft Environmental Assessment prepared by consultant Bureau Veritas North America Inc. and published by the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which is the approving agency for the project, anticipates a finding of no significant impact.
“Installation and operation of the proposed wireless telecommunication tower facility will provide wireless high-speed 4G Internet service to the Kona Airport and the surrounding neighborhoods,” the draft reads. “Currently, Kona Airport is one of the few airports in the nation without 4G services.”
According to Verizon Wireless’ website, 4G stands for “4th generation” mobile data protocol, which the company says delivers a faster mobile Internet experience.
The tower, as well as an emergency generator and associated equipment cabinets, will be situated off an existing access road on the mauka side of Queen Kaahumanu Highway where it intersects with Keahole Airport Road. The surrounding area consists of four existing radio station broadcast towers, the Hawaii Electric Light Co. substation and a water tank.
The proposed cell tower is not expected to impact views, natural physical and biological resources, cultural or historical resources, public access or health and safety, the draft says.
The company says it will take at most five weeks to construct the tower and accompanying components. Construction is expected to start in June 2016 if the company can secure the necessary approvals, which include the state Board of Land and Natural Resources approving the use of the state easement; Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands approving the project, and Hawaii County use and building permits.
Comments on the proposed project are due by Dec. 8 and should be sent to Senior Project Manager Lori Ford, Bureau Veritas North America Inc. at 841 Bishop St., Suite 1100, Honolulu, HI, 96813; Land Agent Wesley T. Matsunaga, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, c/o Land Division Hawaii District, 75 Aupuni St., Room 204, Hilo, HI 96720; and Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless, c/o MP Property Services, 76-6357 Kololia St., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.