In the past two years, major storms with high winds have wreaked havoc on the Wai'anae Coast, toppling utility poles, cutting power and stalling traffic on Farrington Highway, the community's main thoroughfare.

Unfortunately, it's nothing new. Residents of the area have complained for years about downed utility poles during high winds that effectively cut the area off from the rest of O'ahu, raising serious public safety concerns.

But there's some good news. The state and Hawaiian Electric Co. are working on a solution that includes putting power lines underground along key stretches of the highway.

Now the bad news. The process will take years and won't be easy. Construction will cause disruptions along Farrington Highway. There's also the potential for disturbing Native Hawaiian burial sites and other culturally sensitive areas.

And, of course, there's the huge price tag: Costs could run in the "tens of millions of dollars," says HECO executive Robbie Alm.

Nonetheless, the safety of the Wai'anae Coast and its residents demands that the work be done.

Initial plans call for replacing about a dozen wooden poles with temporary metal ones in the Nanakuli area. This will be a prime location to consider underground lines, as poles along this stretch were knocked down twice in less than two years. Wooden poles in other areas will be strengthened with trusses.

But there are thornier issues that need to be addressed. Among them:

What stretches of road will get underground lines? Cost, geology, traffic patterns and other factors preclude laying them along the entire 17-mile highway. Choices must be made.

Should trenching be used rather than directional drilling? The latter is less disruptive, but can unknowingly damage native burial sites.

And who will foot the bill? Undoubtedly, it will be some combination of ratepayers, taxpayers and perhaps the federal government. But HECO's Wai'anae Coast poles also carry some thick telecommunications lines that serve all of O'ahu. Will cable and phone customers help pay the cost?

These issues, and more, will be presented to Wai'anae Coast residents during public hearings as the process moves forward — and residents should make their voices heard. There are tough choices to be made and public participation is essential.

But just as essential is an open mind and a willingness to compromise. Only in working together can the community achieve its most important goal: creating a safer, more prepared Wai'anae Coast.