Stronghold Engineering is proud to be part of a major electrical infrastructure modernization project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Scheduled from November 2024 through December 2027, this large-scale project will replace and upgrade critical electrical systems that support one of the nation’s most important military installations.
The work includes installing more than 11,000 linear feet of new underground electrical duct banks and 22 underground manholes to support new medium-voltage electrical circuits. The project also involves reconnecting 22 electrical substations, with five receiving complete electrical rehabilitations that include new transformers, switchgear, distribution equipment, and modern monitoring systems designed to improve reliability and long-term performance.
Working on an active military installation presents unique challenges. Construction activities must be carefully coordinated around daily military operations to ensure there is no disruption to critical missions. Crews are also navigating decades of existing underground utilities while safely excavating through volcanic tuff, petroleum-contaminated soils, and groundwater that require specialized environmental handling and disposal procedures.
One of the project’s most complex components is the rehabilitation of the K-7 Substation, located on a pier overlooking Pearl Harbor. To complete the work, Stronghold constructed a large structural steel platform to support new electrical equipment and installed conduit systems beneath the pier using floating work platforms. These specialized construction methods, combined with careful planning and close coordination, demonstrate Stronghold’s ability to successfully deliver complex infrastructure projects in highly sensitive environments.