As Bob Hope says, tanks for the memories. Old-time residents of Manoa and other original neighborhoods have these concrete tanks scattered along the landscape. They're almost always painted green, have a heavy, locked-down steel lid, have their own little garage-type enclosure, and are situated on the edge of private property. Thanks to old tanks,
ugly wires are unseen
Closer inspection reveals a HECO serial number on a little plaque.
The picture taken here is on Oahu Avenue, roughly at the point where Oahu transforms from a charming lane to a wide-open suburban avenue.
Now, take another look at these neighborhoods. What DON't you see?
You got it. Power lines.
"These are transformers for underground power lines," said Bill Muench, Hawaii Electric's senior Customer Engineer. "This particular system was put in in 1951 for the Manoa Uplands development -- Oh! What do you know? The engineering drawings are signed by (former HECO president) Carl Williams! He was the engineer on this job."
The tanks are on little easements created by the power company, and designed for easy maintenance. "Those steel lids are VERY heavy," said Muench. "Not easy to lift. They're about 75 pounds."
The transformers themselves were constructed in the days before reliable underground transformers were invented. "Actually, quite frankly, I wish we had more of them," said Muench. "They are among the most reliable components we've ever installed. These Manoa transformers are still going strong after 45 years!"
Burl Burlingame, Star-Bulletin