Tesla is set to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) travel in Hawaii with a significant expansion of its Supercharger network. The company is currently in the permitting process for three new Supercharger sites across the state's two largest islands, marking a substantial increase in charging infrastructure. If all three sites are constructed, Tesla will more than double its Supercharger stalls in Hawaii, transforming long-distance EV travel for residents and tourists alike.
The new installations include two major Supercharger sites on the Island of Hawaii and one on Maui. In Hilo, a 24-stall Supercharger station is proposed for the Target and Safeway parking lot at 391 E Makaala Street, currently under land-use review with a valuation of $400,000. This would make it the largest Supercharger station on the Big Island, significantly improving charging access on the island's east side. Additionally, Tesla has filed for a 16-stall Supercharger installation at a second Target location in Kailua-Kona, also under land-use review and valued at $500,000.
These two projects combined would provide the Island of Hawaii with 40 new Supercharger stalls, a significant upgrade from the current zero Tesla Superchargers on the island. Maui is also getting a major boost with a land-use designation for 16 Supercharger stalls approved for the Shops at Wailea, located at 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive. This site is now cleared from a zoning and land-use standpoint, making it the most advanced in the development pipeline.
With these new additions, Tesla's Hawaii expansion would result in 56 new Supercharger stalls across three locations, bringing the statewide total from 39 stalls to 95 if the new sites are operational. Currently, Hawaii's Supercharger network is concentrated on Oahu and Maui, with 50 stalls on Oahu and 12 on Maui. The new Wailea approval confirms the long-awaited south Maui location, while the Big Island filings represent Tesla's initial push to bring fast-charging infrastructure to the largest island in Hawaii.
The Big Island, with its long distances between towns, limited public DC fast-charging, and a growing EV population, has been a significant gap in Tesla's Hawaii network. The proposed 24-stall station in Hilo and 16-stall site in Kona would create a fast-charging backbone across both sides of the island, making cross-island driving in a Tesla more practical. This expansion is a significant step towards a more comprehensive and accessible EV charging network in Hawaii.
