It’s really true: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

We are now starting to construct our hydroelectric plant, which everyone thinks is a wonderfully new, fresh idea.

But Kapono uncovered this interesting bit of history that we posted here recently, in which we learned for the first time that people were evidently doing the same thing here more than 70 years ago.

Pepe`ekeo’s mill was located at the shore to make use of fluming to transport the harvested cane. For many years before 1935 the hydraulic head of mountain ground water (spring water) drove a hydroelectric plant that supplied all of the mill’s needs and also supplied power for housing.

We are making an access to the flume head so we can begin laying the pipe.

The rest we will do by hand because we don’t want to do anything that compromises the river.

If you look carefully, you can see the old concrete work. This flume source is a permitted use, according to the Water Resource Commission. Its personnel came by to look at the site and said we can proceed as long as we do not affect the river in any way. We’re being very careful.