Overview

Energy is Essential to Hawaii. Hawaii, the most oil-dependent of the 50 states, relies on imported petroleum for about 90% of its primary energy. Most of this oil is from foreign nations, with a growing percentage from the Middle East. Hawaii residents pay among the nation’s highest prices for electricity and fuel. There are significant opportunities to improve energy efficiency; make better use of our renewable resources; and plan now for increased energy security and preparedness.

Topic areas:
 

• Energy Agreement

  On October 20, 2008, an Energy Agreement was signed by the State of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Electric Companies to accelerate the accomplishment of Hawaii's energy objectives in the regulated electric utility sector.

• Hawaii's Energy Policy

  Hawaii's energy policy seeks to ensure dependable, efficient, and economical energy; increased energy self-sufficiency; greater energy security; and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Clean Energy Initiative

  In theory, energy efficiency and renewable energy resources could meet 70% of Hawaii’s energy demand by 2030. To make it happen, we need to coordinate our efforts; develop effective policies; and demonstrate technical solutions. Hawaii projects and successes can serve as a model to the rest of the US and to island nations around the world.

• Energy Data & Planning

  Energy planning considers Hawaii's unique resources, challenges, and opportunities using rigorous and comprehensive analysis in accordance with the State's statutory energy policy objectives.  Data on energy supplies, prices, and use are collected and analyzed. The Hawaii Energy Strategy is developed, updated, and implemented. Energy emergency plans are also developed in conjunction with industry and government.

• Energy Efficiency

  Energy efficiency saves energy and money. Information and guidelines -- specifically tailored to Hawaii's climate -- have been developed for Hawaii's building owners, architects, engineers, facility operators, State government agency personnel, schools, homeowners, and others.  Project reports, case studies, and guaranteed energy savings performance contract resource materials are available, as well as a link to the Rebuild Hawaii website.

• Renewable Energy

  Hawaii's renewable energy resources include biomass: from organic (plant, animal) materials; geothermal: from the heat of the earth; hydroelectric: from flowing or falling water (streams, dams); ocean: from waves, tides, currents, or temperature differences in the ocean; solar: from the sun (two types of systems: solar thermal or solar electric); and wind: from the wind.

• Transportation Fuels

  Fuels for our vehicles include gasoline and diesel; blends such as E10 Unleaded and B20; and alternative fuels such as E85, biodiesel, LPG, hydrogen, and electricity.

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Task Force

  On Thursday, November 13, 2008, the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), and Department of Health (DOH) will conduct a hearing at the State Capitol Auditorium (Chamber Level), 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu Hawaii, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The purpose of the hearing will be to present an updated inventory of emission sources or categories of sources from the past report prepared by the DBEDT and DOH entitled "Inventory of Hawaii Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates for 1990," dated July 1997, and to take public testimony. The final inventory will be released by December 31, 2008. Additional informational presentations on climate change and energy will be made before the formal hearing portion. Please click here to learn more about the hearing and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Task Force. Comments will be accepted until Friday, November 21, 2008. Comments may be sent via email to: ghg@dbedt.hawaii.gov, faxed to (808) 587-3815, or mailed to: GHG Inventory Public Comments, DBEDT Strategic Industries Division, P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu HI 96804. For questions about the hearing or submitting public comments, please call (808) 587-2676.

  Act 234, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, established the State’s policy framework and requirements to address Hawaii’s greenhouse gas emissions, recognizing the potential adverse effects of the recent climate change and global warming to Hawaii’s economy, public health, natural resources, and environment. The general purpose of Act 234 is to establish and cost-effectively achieve State policy of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and limits at or below the best estimates and updates of the inventory of Hawaii’s greenhouse gas emissions estimates of 1990 emissions levels by January 1, 2020.

• Hydrogen

  Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for fuel cells or in internal combustion engines.  It can be produced from water, using renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, wave, or biomass. Hydrogen can also be produced from liquid fuels, such as gasoline and alcohol fuels.

• DER / CHP

  Distributed Energy Resources and Combined Heating, Cooling, and Power (CHP) systems can help Hawaii to use energy more efficiently; make better use of renewable energy resources available on-site; reduce peak demand; and reduce the vulnerability of the islands' energy systems in the case of damage or disruption of centralized power generation.  Also, de-centralized energy, in contrast to central generation, can be brought online faster than new central power plants.

• Resource Efficiency

  Using resources efficiently can save energy.  The Green Business Project assists and recognizes businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way.  The Marine Debris project diverts tons of marine debris to H-POWER, Oahu’s garbage-to-electricity plant, providing electricity and protecting the environment.

• Publications

  Over 100 on-line publications provide in depth information on energy technologies, resources, policies, plans, and projects of interest in Hawaii.

• Upcoming Events

  Throughout the year, there are several energy-related workshops, conferences, and meetings open to the public.

About the Strategic Industries Division

Mailing Address:  

Strategic Industries Division
Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
PO Box 2359
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

Phone: (808) 587-3807      

Fax: (808) 586-2536

Office Hours

Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed on State Holidays).

Office Location

The office is located at 235 South Beretania Street, Room 502, Honolulu, Hawaii, in the Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, on the makai (ocean) side of Beretania Street, between Richards and Alakea (see map).

Parking

Parking is available at Ali‘i Place, 1099 Alakea Street. Proceed mauka (toward the mountains) on Alakea Street in the right lane. Turn right before reaching South Hotel Street. Rates are 75¢ per half-hour for the first 2 hours; $1.50 per half-hour after 2 hours; $3.00 after 5:00 pm.  Metered parking stalls are also available along Richards Street, at the Downtown Honolulu Post Office, and in the State Capitol basement.

Bus Service

Information on TheBus: www.thebus.org

Calling Us From the Neighbor Islands
You may reach us by phone by dialing the phone number above. Or, to reach us TOLL-FREE from:

• Hawaii (Big Island), dial: 974-4000, extension 7-3807#
  Also, see the Neighbor Island Energy Office information below
  
• Kauai, dial: 274-3141, extension 7-3807#;
  Also, see the Neighbor Island Energy Office information below
  
• Maui, dial: 984-2400, extension 7-3807#.
  Also, see the Neighbor Island Energy Office information below
  
• Molokai and Lanai, dial: 1-800-468-4644, extension 7-3807#.
  Also, see the Neighbor Island Energy Office information below

Neighbor Island Energy Offices

Hawaii County

Ms. Andrea T. Gill
Hawaii Energy Extension Service
Hawaii Business Center
99 Aupuni Street, Room 214
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM. (Closed on State Holidays).
Phone: (808) 933-0312
Fax: (808) 933-0313
Email: agill @ dbedt.hawaii.gov

Mr. Doug Zang
County of Hawaii
Department of Research and Development
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8366
Fax: (808) 935-1205
Email: dzang @ co.hawaii.hi.us

Kauai County

Mr. Glenn Sato
Energy Coordinator
County of Kauai
Office of Economic Development
4444 Rice Street, Suite 200
Lihue, HI 96766
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed on State Holidays).
Phone: (808) 241-4951
Fax: (808) 241-6399
Email: GSato @ kauai.gov
Website: http://www.kauai.gov/

Maui County

Mr. Victor Reyes
Energy Commissioner
Office of Economic Development
Maui County
2200 Main Street, Rm. 305
Wailuku, HI 96790
Phone: (808) 270-7203
Fax: (808) 270-7995
Email: Victor.Reyes @ mauicounty.gov

Mr. Kalvin Kobayashi
Energy Coordinator
County of Maui
Manging Director's Office
200 South High Street, Room 604
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed on State Holidays).
Phone: (808) 270-7832
Fax: (808) 270-7141
Email: energy.office @ mauicounty.gov
Website: www.co.maui.hi.us/departments/Management/energy.htm