Cell tower plan draws ire from Hawaii island residents - Honolulu Star

Hawaii Residents Blindsided by Cell Tower Construction Near Homes

A cell tower controversy is unfolding in Papaikou, Hawaii, where residents are pushing back against a 60-foot Verizon tower being built in the middle of a residential cluster—and many never knew about the project until construction began.

Patrick Ferreira, whose home and auto repair shop sit just steps from the proposed tower site, told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald that the structure will be positioned "between the post office and my business and another household. It's about five houses altogether." Ferreira only learned of the plans earlier this year when he spotted workers on site and asked what they were doing.

According to Paul Alston, trustee of the Olson Trust which owns the lot, plans for the tower have actually been in development for nearly a decade. The trust signed a contract with Verizon Wireless in 2018, and the Hawaii County Planning Department approved the plans in December 2024, with a building permit issued in June 2025.

Why This Matters for Health-Conscious Families

What's particularly concerning for residents is that the community was never notified about the project by the Olson Trust, Verizon, or the county—and the tower appears to sidestep newer safety regulations. In 2025, the County Council passed a bill requiring cellular towers to be set back at least 600 feet from any residence or school. However, Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow indicated that because the tower plan predated this requirement, it was grandfathered in.

For families concerned about radiofrequency exposure, proximity matters. Just as distance from the source is a key consideration when choosing low-EMF hair dryers or low-EMF air purifiers, the same principle applies to cell towers—EMF levels generally decrease significantly with distance.

If you're house-hunting or already living near proposed cell infrastructure, this case highlights the importance of researching local zoning applications and attending planning meetings. Some homeowners in similar situations have explored options like EMF shielding paint to reduce indoor exposure, though distance and structural barriers remain the most effective mitigation strategies.

The Papaikou situation serves as a reminder: staying informed about local development plans is crucial for families prioritizing low-EMF living environments.

Originally reported by Advertiser