State and Local Climate and Energy Program
Long-Lasting Greenhouse Gas Reductions for Marginalized Communities throughout Hawaii, the U.S., and Beyond
Honolulu, Hawaii
Federal Funding: $499,363
Project Timeline: February 2010 – December 2012
Latest Update
The City and County of Honolulu have worked with their three partner organizations to hold light bulb swaps, collect data from energy monitors, and recruit youth volunteers to conduct energy assessments. The City and County have distributed a total of 100,000 CFL bulbs, 134 energy monitors, and 18 energy-saving kits. The City and County have also staffed information booths at numerous community events to raise community awareness on energy issues, and to recruit residents. Upcoming activity includes continuing to complete energy audits and distributing additional weatherization kits.
Project Summary
A Partnership to Model Mass Individual Behavior Change That Leads to Quantifiable and Long-Lasting Reductions in Greenhouse Gases
The City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, is one of the most fossil-fuel dependent regions in the United States. Its residents pay the country’s highest rates for energy. Through this project, the Department of Community Services (DCS), City and County of Honolulu, will promote mass individual behavior changes and efficiency retrofits that result in long-term greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions. The project is specifically focusing on marginalized communities throughout the state that have been slow to implement efficiency and conservation measures. Reductions in energy consumption achieved through this program will reduce GHG emissions from both direct energy consumption and from reduced delivery of fuels to Hawaii.
With Climate Showcase Communities funding, DCS is taking a multi-faceted approach to reducing fossil fuel consumption while promoting the development and use of renewable energy sources. Included in DCS’s approach are intensive community outreach, development of a Hawaii-specific energy audit, training and deployment of household energy auditors, installation of weatherization kits, installation of real-time energy monitors, and ongoing engagement of individuals in a social network that fosters continued GHG reductions. The ultimate intended outcome for this work is a permanent change in individual behavior that results in quantifiable reductions in energy use and the consequent GHG emissions.
While DCS is providing fiscal oversight, project reporting, and grant support, much of the on-the-ground work will be completed by three partnering organizations. Blue Planet Foundation is leading community outreach and canvassing efforts, designed to swap 60,000 to 75,000 incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient CFL and LED bulbs, and will report on the effectiveness of these efforts. Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps is co-designing the energy audit, training youth to conduct energy audits, leading energy audit activities, and will co-publish Hawaii-specific energy audit best practices and energy auditor software. Kaanu Hawaii is providing overall project management for the duration of the two-year project, co-designing the energy audit, designing and deploying real-time energy monitors in 300 households, and creating a social network for ongoing engagement, among other tasks.
Completion of the project will result in a reduction of GHG emissions of over 3,700 metrics tons per year, residential savings of $660,000 per year, and reduced electricity use of 2.7 million kWh per year.
Community Characteristics
Population: | 903,231 |
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Area: | 600 square miles |
Government Type: | County |
Community Type: | Urban, Suburban, and Rural |
Median Household Income: | $68,655 |
Program Results/Estimated Results
Expected GHG Reductions: | 3,700 metric tons CO2e annually |
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Actual GHG Reductions (as of March 2012): | 2,302 metric tons CO2e annually |
Expected Residential Cost Savings: | $660,000, annually |
Actual Residential Cost Savings (as of March 2012): | $942,012 annually |
Expected Electricity Reductions: | 2,700,000 kWh, annually |
Actual Electricity Reductions (as of March 2012): | 2,691,463 kWh annually |
Expected Youth Auditors Trained: | 10 |
Project Websites
- Hawaii Energy Study website
- Youth Energy Assessment Hawaii (YEAH) program website
- Blue Planet Youtube page
Media Coverage
- Hawaii News Now (KGMB) on Santa Goes Solar , 12/22/2011
- Mene Mac exchanges energy for 1st place in the Better Bulbs Blitz-Off , 12/7/2011
- Santa Goes Solar , 11/30/2011
- Be Green 2: Better Bulbs Blitz , 10/4/2011
- St. Anthony School Green Club: Blue Planet's Bulb Blitz!
- Blue Planet’s TV spot on KHON, 10/4/2011
- Lighting the way for our children's future, 10/2/2011
- Kanu Hawaii featured on Sunrise/Hawaii News Now., 8/24/2011
- “The Best Watt is the Negawatt: Energy Efficiency,” Episode 4 of "Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy," 8/24/2011
- Hawaii Energy Study, 06/26/2011
- Knowledge is Power for Power Conservation, 06/20/2011
- EPA Awards City and County of Honolulu $499,000 Grant, Two ENERGY STAR Building Awards, 3/30/2010