Verizon outlines proposed Anini-area cell tower; community asks about visibility and permits

Kathy O’Connor Phelps, representing Verizon, presented diagrams and photos on June 8 showing a proposed cell tower sited near the corner of Kuhio Highway and Anini Road (near the west side of the Kalihiwai bridge). She said Verizon would seek community feedback before applying for a county special use permit.

Phelps said the design would handle multiple carriers: "12 panels plus up to 12 other carriers," and answered technical questions about coverage, telling a resident that phones at Kalihiwai Beach should work after activation. Residents and board members asked how visible the structure would be from homes and suggested alternatives: Ben Wellborn asked for a story pole on site to illustrate height; Ginny Shinn asked whether it could resemble a local tree rather than appearing as a generic pine-tree camouflage.

Questions at the meeting also covered the tower’s distance from homes, how many carriers it would serve and whether a variance from county planning would be required. Phelps confirmed a special use permit is needed. The presentation served as an early community consultation; no permit had been filed or decided at the meeting.