Meeting to Focus on Big Island’s Energy Future

Big Island Now stock photo.

The public is invited to join the discussion at this month’s West Hawaii Forum on Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Council Chambers

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.

The meeting will explore varying energy visions with top stakeholders in a post-NextEra Hawai‘i.

Experts in the energy field (see below) will explain their visions and plans for the next five years of Hawai‘i’s 30-year path to a clean and independent energy future.

Learn how Hawai‘i could achieve its 100% renewable energy goal by 2045 and how those plans may affect you.

In advance of the forum, send questions or concerns for the energy experts (scroll to bottom of the page).

Topics

• What economic and environmental benefits can we expect when Hawai‘i’s energy needs are met through locally produced clean energy?
• Is it possible for all ground and marine transportation to be electrified or powered by renewable hydrogen or renewable biofuels?
• Of Hawai‘i’s top 250 companies, five are solar contractors that generated $140 million in 2015 and are the economic drivers of several thousand local jobs.
• What does the future hold for rooftop solar?

Forum Presenters

• Jay Ignacio, President of Hawai‘i Electric Company (HELCO)
• Isacc Moriwake, Esq., Earthjustice, Mid-Pacific Office, Hawai‘i
• Marco Mangelsdorf, Hawai‘i Island Energy Cooperative (HIEC)

Forum Moderator

Henry Curtis, Illana Media, Hawai‘i