Hawaii
Creating a Sustainable Hawai‘i 2024 – Hawaii Business Magazine
As an island community, Hawai‘i’s well-being depends on sustainable systems, where people and nature exist in balance. Learn about efforts to increase food production in an ancient fishpond on O‘ahu, reuse treated wastewater on Maui and clean up the reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Photo: Getty Images
Letter from President and CEO Alicia Moy
COMMEMORATING ITS 120TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, HAWAI‘I GAS HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING ONE OF THE OLDEST COMPANIES STILL OPERATING IN THE ISLANDS TODAY. We’ve always been defined by innovation: as a critical infrastructure utility in the middle of the Pacific, our predecessors pioneered the use of new technologies to deliver clean, reliable energy to homes and businesses in Hawai‘i. Decades later, climate change is upon us—the challenge of our lifetimes. At Hawai‘i Gas, our employees are ready to meet that challenge head-on, joining many others charting a course focused on sustainability and resiliency for our island communities.
Hawaii Gas has led the nation in its use of hydrogen blended into the utility fuel mix on O‘ahu since 1974—decades before it became a favored clean energy solution. In 2016, Hawai‘i Gas diversified into utility-scale solar with the launch of Waihonu Solar Farm, and in 2018, the company partnered with the City & County of Honolulu to operate the state’s first Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment plant. Our journey toward increasing production of locally produced, renewable energy continues. This year, we announced two more renewable energy projects on the horizon: a renewable green hydrogen project and an RNG project using non-invasive bana grass, both of which mark significant forward movement on our path to decarbonization.
As climate change raises the stakes immeasurably for all of us, we stand with those in our community taking bold action, driving innovative solutions, and advancing the state’s climate goals. Our future depends on it.
Alicia Moy
President and CEO
To learn more about Hawaii Gas, visit hawaiigas.com.
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Photos courtesy: Andrew Sullivan-Haskins
Removing Ghost Nets from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project has collected 786,287 pounds of derelict fishing nets and other debris from the vast Hawaiian archipelago.
Photos: Jeff Sanner
Restoration of He‘eia Fishpond Nears a Major Milestone
Paepae o He‘eia has spent decades removing mangroves and rebuilding the fishpond wall. The nonprofit is now gearing up to start sustainable fish production.
Photo: Getty Images
From Wastewater to Green Belt: An Ingenious Idea Takes Shape on Maui
A pilot project will use treated wastewater to create a green belt, protecting fire-prone Mā‘alaea and restoring coastal waters.