Rain causes wind farm delays
KAPOLEI, Oahu - Rain is delaying the delivery of parts for Hawaii's largest wind farm.
Heavy construction began last month for the Kawailoa Wind Project on Oahu's North Shore, which will supply electricity for an estimated 14,500 homes with 30 wind turbines.
Giant turbine pieces began moving Monday from Campbell Industrial Park, a monthslong effort that is expected to cause slowdowns for drivers.
Deliveries on slow-moving oversized trailers are scheduled for 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Mondays to Fridays until the end of August.
Hawaii News Now reports that transport was postponed Tuesday because of rainy weather.
The project is expected to be operating by the end of next year.
Kawailoa Wind Power is a subsidiary of Boston-based First Wind.
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Trials to study beef production
WAIMEA, Hawaii - A cattle ranch is teaming up with an investment organization funded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar to research large-scale grass-fed beef production on the Big Island.
Parker Ranch and the Ulupono Initiative announced Monday that they entered into an agreement to jointly fund the research. The trials will follow 200 head of cattle on a test area of 300 acres from September 2012 through May 2013.
Owned by four nonprofits, Parker Ranch is one of the largest and oldest cattle ranches in the country. Ulupono focuses on clean, renewable energy, waste reduction and locally produced food.
The ranch believes that with successful trial results, its local grass-fed beef program could reach 2,500 to 4,000 head per year in annual production.
