Electric Garage Talk: Lisa’s switch to electric from Ewa Beach
by Jennifer Ecklund | Aug. 26, 2025
For Lisa, driving has always been about practicality — starting with a no-frills Honda CR-X she inherited in college. Today, she’s trading gas for electrons with her new Honda Prologue, embracing the quiet power of electric driving on Oahu. In this candid interview, Lisa shares what inspired her switch to EVs, the cost-saving perks, and the real-life challenges of navigating Hawaii’s public charging network.
Jennifer: Good morning, Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. I’d like to start by asking — how did you first learn to drive, and what’s the story behind your first car?
Lisa: My first car was a Honda CR-X — a small, very fuel-efficient two-seater. I actually got it from my sister. She bought it brand new, but then moved away for a few years so my parents held onto the car for me. Once I was able to make payments in college, it officially became mine. It was great for commuting from Ewa Beach to the university and big enough to haul my laundry and other dorm stuff home every weekend. It didn’t have air conditioning though — it was the base model with manual transmission, so that made for some hot rides! I definitely wouldn’t get a car without AC now, but back then, it worked for what I needed.
Jennifer: That is quite the origin story. Well, we were happy to hear you recently made the switch to electric and bought a new EV for your family — presumably one with AC! What are you driving now?
Lisa: Thank you! We are sticking with Honda and got the Prologue. We’ve had it since November last year. So, less than a year.
Jennifer: And what made you pick that particular make and model?
Lisa: We’re a Honda family and have always driven Honda or Acura. And, the Prologue is their only fully electric EV in the US. It’s an SUV too, which is perfect for our family.
Jennifer: What were some of the reasons you decided to switch to electric?
Lisa: It really came down to cost. We lease our cars, and some dealerships were offering the $7,500 federal tax credit on leases, which brought the price down enough to make it cheaper than a comparable gas car. That played a big role in our decision.
Jennifer: What do you enjoy most about driving the Prologue so far?
Lisa: It’s just so much smoother than a gas car. Our other vehicle is a Honda Ridgeline, and you can really feel the difference. Even my daughter noticed it. With the Prologue, the acceleration and ride are just so smooth. When we go back to driving the truck, it feels clunky — you really have to press on the gas, and it doesn’t handle as nicely.
Jennifer: Have you faced any challenges or surprises since switching?
Lisa: Yes, at the beginning. The car didn’t come with a charging cable. Honda gives you three options: rely on public charging (and they give you credits), install a home charger (they’ll provide the charger and pay for part of the installation), or request a charging cable to use with your existing outlet. I chose the cable option, but it took a few weeks to arrive. The car wasn’t fully charged when I picked it up, so I had a bit of panic trying to find public chargers. Once I got the cable and could charge at home, everything was fine.
Jennifer: Can you share with us how you charge at home? For example, are you using Level 1 or 2 charging?
Lisa: Sure, after I finally received the charging cable, I plugged it in to a standard wall outlet to charge my car — so, Level 1 charging. But, although I plugged my EV in overnight, it didn’t fully charge. I think Level 1 charging can work if you plug it in and consistently charge your EV every night to keep the battery at an adequate level for your driving needs.
Jennifer: So, is that working out for you now, or are you considering installing a home charger?
Lisa: We ended up installing an appropriate outlet so we could use a Level 2 charger instead of Level 1. That works better for our driving needs.
Jennifer: Okay, and how does the cost of charging compare to your old gas expenses?
Lisa: It’s hard to say exactly because we also have solar, so our electricity bill fluctuates. But before I had home charging, I paid about $25 for a full charge at a NEVI station, and that lasted a full week. With our Ridgeline, I was paying at least $50 per week for gas. So even without exact numbers, I’m sure we’re saving money.
Jennifer: I know you’re familiar with Hawaiian Electric’s DC fast chargers, but have you had a chance to use any of them yet? And if so, how was that experience?
Lisa: Yes, and that was the challenging part! During the week I was looking for public charging, I ran into some issues. I forgot to check our online charging map, and drove to the Waikiki Library charger without realizing it was down.* So, I checked our chargers at Salt Lake and Iwilei Costco, but they were busy. Then I went to the Waimalu Times Shopping Center one, and it was busy with the driver fast asleep, even though his charge was at 80%! I had to wait almost an hour for the charger to be available, and had to do a hard reset to get it to charge. It turned out there was a communication issue with the Prologue. Overall, it wasn’t the best experience, but I think it was specific to network compatibility issues with Honda.
Jennifer: That is unfortunate. More generally then, what are your thoughts on the public charging infrastructure on Oahu?
Lisa: I completely understand why people say there aren’t enough chargers. I had to drive to three different locations just to find one available. Sometimes I had to wait for someone else to finish. Public charging as your only option can be tough. I was lucky to find the Aloha Tower charger early one morning, but I haven’t gone back to see how busy it is now. We definitely need more charging stations.
Jennifer: Let’s talk a bit more about the EV itself. Have you had any maintenance issues with your Prologue so far?
Lisa: Nope, nothing yet. So far, so good!
Jennifer: Are there any features in the Prologue that stand out to you? Something very useful or innovative perhaps?
Lisa: Nothing particularly unique comes to mind. It’s pretty much the same compared to other cars I’ve had.
Jennifer: Okay, and in terms of distance, how much do you typically drive in a week?
Lisa: Probably about 20 miles per day on average, so around 150 miles per week. We usually only charge once on the weekend.
Jennifer: Have you had a chance to take any longer drives around the island yet?
Lisa: Not yet — just haven’t had the time. But one of these days we will!
Jennifer: Do you use any apps or tools to enhance your EV experience?
Lisa: We mostly use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay with Google Maps. There is a HondaLink app that lets you manage charging, but I haven’t really used it. I just plug the car in at night and it’s ready in the morning.
Jennifer: Let’s talk incentives. Were there any incentives that influenced your decision to go electric?
Lisa: Yes, the $7,500 tax credit was a big factor. Even though it’s a lease, Honda applied the credit directly to the vehicle cost, which made the lease very affordable.
Jennifer: What are your thoughts on the environmental impact of driving an EV?
Lisa: I’m all for helping with the climate, clean energy, and clean transportation. It’s great knowing we’re not emitting anything, and the quietness is a nice bonus.
Jennifer: Given your experience, would you recommend an EV to friends or family living on Oahu?
Lisa: Yes, I would — especially if the cost is similar to a gas vehicle. I really don’t see any reason why anybody wouldn’t want to switch. I recommend it, if their driving distances are manageable and they can charge easily. If they can, it’s an easy decision. Relying on public charging is still a challenge right now, but economically it just makes sense.
Jennifer: Do you have any personal tips or advice for someone considering the switch?
Lisa: Definitely test drive an EV. You’ll be amazed at how smooth and quiet it is. I’m still so amazed and have to double check the car is actually on! That alone might convince you. And think about your charging situation — if you can charge at home, it’s an easy decision. If not, it could be challenging until more public chargers are available.
Jennifer: Last question — if you could advise Hawaiian Electric on improving public charging, what would you say?
Lisa: They should keep looking for opportunities to expand charging infrastructure. Even if they can’t do it now, EV adoption is only going to grow, so the demand will keep rising. It’s something to plan for in the near future.
* The Waikiki Library DC fast charging station underwent two recent periods of reduced performance:
1) December 2023 to March 2024 — was due to a tripping main breaker that intermittently interrupted charging sessions. After diagnostics and testing, the faulty breaker was replaced and normal operation resumed — it is worth noting that manufacturer live support was non-existent at this time.
2) July to November 2024 — involved sessions occasionally stopping mid-charge. The issue was resolved through detailed and systematic component-level troubleshooting and replacement, with extensive manufacturer support.
Since November 2024, the charging station has operated reliably with no notable service issues.
Inspired by Lisa’s Honda story? Here are some resources to help you start your own EV journey:
- 🚗 Explore the Honda Prologue
- 🔌 Learn more about Hawaiian Electric’s DC fast chargers
- 💸 Learn about EV tax credits
- 🧭 New to EVs? Read Hawaiian Electric’s FAQs
Jennifer Ecklund is an administrative assistant for electrification of transportation at Hawaiian Electric.
