Work continues on a countywide effort to convert approximately 10,000 streetlights across Hawaii Island to more efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lights.
County traffic division chief Ron Thiel estimated that this year about 1,000 LEDs have been installed, adding to the 1,000 already in place in Hilo, Kona and Waimea.
“We intend to have them all installed by the end of 2016,” Thiel said Wednesday.
The LED project was approved by County Council in 2011 as a cost-saving measure. LED lights are more efficient than the low-pressure sodium lamps being phased out, and are estimated to save the county about $1 million per year on its electric bill once fully implemented.
Similar projects have taken place on Kauai, and recently started on Maui and Oahu.
According to the 2011 bill, which amended the county lighting code, the new lights must have less than 2 percent blue light emissions. LEDs are yellowish-green, as opposed to the yellow of low-pressure sodium lights, and can interfere with astronomers’ work because they emit a broader spectrum of visible light.
For people walking beneath the lights, that might not be as obvious. The LEDs emit a “softer” light, Thiel said, which some perceive as being less bright than low-pressure sodium lights.
“I’d say it’s because you don’t have the glare (anymore),” Thiel said.
Downtown Hilo already was converted to the new system, with 600 lights installed.
Most recently, Hina Lani Street in Kailua-Kona had all of its lights switched out.
“We’re working quite consistently on both sides,” Thiel said. “Right now, we’ve just been hitting different areas (where) we’ve had maintenance issues.”
The older low-pressure sodium lights are more prone to these issues, to the point where his department is replacing “about 30 every month.” When crews go out to fix the dead bulbs, they install an LED light in its place.
The LED project, estimated to cost $4 million in total, is funded through county appropriations ($2 million) and state and federal grants. Thiel said the county also receives rebates from the state and from Hawaii Energy for making the switch.
“We’re right on line with what we budgeted, and it’s working out as we expected,” he said.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
