The Kauai Island Utility KIUC Cooperative said its members voted to authorize the utility’s board of directors to pursue hydroelectric projects on the island.

The utility said 5,404 members, or 72 percent, voted in favor of the plan, with 2,098, or 28 percent voting against it. The vote was certified by Merriman River Group, an independent election management consultant, KIUC said in a news release.

“We look forward to engaging in a process to determine the blueprint for how responsible hydropower development can be determined for Kauai,”   said KIUC Chairman Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian.

KIUC has partnered with Boston-based Free Flow Power to pursue the development of six hydroelectric plants on rivers and streams throughout the island.