Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed the undersea cable bill into law. The controversial measure puts in place a regulatory framework that would pave the way for the islands to share power.

A recent Civil Beat Poll showed that a majority of Hawaii voters supported the construction of underwater cables between islands to transmit energy from solar, wind or geothermal. But many residents on Lanai and Molokai protested the bill’s passage through the Legislature. 

Sophie Cocke is at the bill signing. 

Landblog:

Abercrombie signs cable bill. With a stroke or a pen he exclaims, “Yay!”