10th Hawaii Energy Conference: Collaboration in Action
by Shayna Decker | June 13, 2023
We have often said that it will take all of us — the utility, our regulators, government officials, energy partners, customers and communities — working together to achieve our clean energy future for Hawaii.
As we continue to make strong progress together in cutting our carbon emissions and bringing more renewable energy projects online to meet the energy needs of our islands, I couldn’t help to think that this collaboration was in action during the 10th Hawaii Energy Conference held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in May.
You could feel the enthusiasm and excitement of being back live and in person during this two-day energy extravaganza. With about 400 registered attendees, there was lots of networking and diverse conversations in between the conference’s numerous panel discussions about the next steps towards decarbonizing energy in Hawaii.
Such next steps highlighted how this energy transition must include all of the communities represented as pointed out by the keynote speaker Daphne Frias, a youth climate justice activist.
Rightly so, the first group of panelist delved right into empowering residents and community-engaged approaches to transitioning our islands to renewable energy.
The panel featured (from right) moderator Murray Clay, President, Ulupono Initiative; Leilani Chow, energy program manager at Sustainable Molokai; Rebecca Dayhuff Matsushima, Hawaiian Electric vice president of resource procurement; Mark Glick, chief energy officer at the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO); and Nicola Park, director, Hawaii, Clearway Energy Group.
During this session, attendees learned about the process behind Molokai’s recently approved community-based renewable energy projects and new ways communities are being engaged to participate in this transition and to determine community benefits from these renewable energy projects.
Another panel looked at economywide decarbonization strategies of some of Hawaii’s largest businesses. (From right) Moderated by Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric’s senior vice president of planning and technology, speakers included Amber Mahone, managing partner, Energy & Environmental Economics (E3) and Alanna James, managing director of sustainability initiatives, Hawaiian Airlines; and Mark Glick.
Processes, tools and technologies were examined as panelists talked about permitting for large-scale and residential scale renewable energy resources, battery energy storage systems, and potential firm renewable generation like hydrogen and geothermal.
Hawaiian Electric CEO and President Shelee Kimura shared with attendees that a lot of exciting progress in the “ecosystem of energy” in Hawaii has happened in last 10 years since the first energy conference.
“There has been a big shift,” Shelee said during a panel. “We are all looking at all the possible solutions together and bringing each other along together.”
Such progress includes this ongoing dialogue and planning with our communities and customers, regulators and policy makers as well as energy developers. It is recognizing that while our clean energy goals are monumental and ambitious — a more sustainable, resilient energy future is achievable for the benefit of future generations on our islands to thrive as we continue to collaborate together.
Shayna Decker is a director of government and community relations at Hawaiian Electric.
