GREEN HAWAII THE PATH TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY STARTS WITH EACH OF US
‘A ‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia.
No task is too big when done together by all.
The path toward sustainability starts with each of us. our message in green hawaii is simple: The path toward sustainability starts with each of us. A business, nonprofit organization, family and individual can each do their part to promote a greener future for our Island home. We invited leaders with diverse backgrounds and a similar mission of sustainability to share their thoughts on our collective contributions to a green Hawaii.
“I love the saying, ‘a ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.’ I’ve found that people are both more resilient and more innovative than they think they are. Can you imagine how strong we are together?”
“When people come together around a common vision and dedicate themselves to accomplish a collective goal, they can achieve the impossible.” — Nainoa Thompson, Polynesian Voyaging Society
“ nerg e cienc is an important rst step toward a percent clean energy future that every family and business can play a part in.”
— Dawn Lippert, Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative
— Brian Kealoha, Executive Director, Hawaii Energy
“Think of what sustainability change you can make in your life. Change it. Stick to it. Once that’s working, think of the next change. Repeat until sustainable.” — Henk Rogers, Founder and Board Chair, Blue Planet Foundation
“We’re committed to doing our part for Hawaii’s cleaner renewable energy future and we’ll continue to partner with everyone to pursue energy conservation and electri cation of transportation alternatives.” — Alan Oshima, President and CEO, Hawaiian Electric
“What we do here in Hawaii matters. And how we do it—with compassion, resilience, and an intimate understanding of a shared destiny—can be a guiding light for the world.” — Maxine Burkett, Institute for Climate and Peace and environmental law professor, University of Hawaii
Contents Energy 6 Aloha+ Challenge 8 Renewable Energy 12 nergy fficiency 16 Residential Solar
Transportation
Food & Health
Community
18 lectrification of Transportation
24 Ulupono Intiative
28 Kupu
26 Blue Zones Project
30 Polynesian Voyaging Society
20 EV Charging Stations Map 22 Bikeshare Hawaii
SHARON SPEAR PUBLISHER sharons@aiohawaii.com 534-7528
STEPHANIE SILVERSTEIN EDITOR stephanies@hawaiihomemag.com 534-7516
CODY KAWAMOTO ART DIRECTOR codyk@hawaiihomemag.com 534-7140
AMY NGO ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR amyn@aiohawaii.com 534-7530
Green Hawaii is published as a supplement to Hawaii Home + Remodeling magazine, April 2018. ©2018 by AIO Media Group. 1088 Bishop St., Suite LL2, Honolulu, HI, 96813. hawaiihomemag.com. Presented by Hawaiian Electric Company. On the cover: Bamboo forest on Maui. Photo by Monica & Michael Sweet.
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Energy
GREEN HAWAII  2018 5
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Sustainability: We’re Up to the Challenge BY STEPHANIE SILVERSTEIN
H
awaii’s aloha+ challenge is led by partners from across public and private sectors, and serves as a localized framework for action to achieve global sustainability development goals across environmental, social and economic priorities. The Aloha+ Challenge has received international recognition as a place-based model that can be implemented as part of the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. The six sustainability goals of the Aloha+ Challenge build on
Hawaii values and priorities to address clean energy, local food, natural resource management, waste reduction, smart sustainable communities and green workforce and education. “Hawaii is at the cutting edge of sustainability,” says Celeste Connors, executive director of Hawaii Green Growth. “Hawaii is contributing positively toward this global solution and, at the same time, sharing with the world holistic and island-based values to resource management.” The Dashboard features state- and county-level data across environmental, social
CLEAN ENERGY: 70 percent clean energy – 40 percent from renewables and percent from e ciency, with a view toward 100 percent clean energy by 2045 LOCAL FOOD: t least double local food production food consumed will be grown locally
-
percent of
WASTE REDUCTION: educe the solid waste stream prior to disposal by percent through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion and landfill diversion methods SOURCE: HAWAII GREEN GROWTH
6 GREEN HAWAII 2018
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: everse the trend of natural resource loss mau a to ma ai by increasing freshwater security, watershed protection, community-based marine management, invasive species control and restoration of native species SMART SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: ncrease livability and resilience in the built environment through planning and implementation at the state and county levels GREEN WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION: ncrease local green obs and education to implement these targets
PREVIOUS PAGE PHOTO: THINKSTOCK, PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
ALOHA+ CHALLENGE SUSTAINABILIT Y GOALS
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“Hawaii is at the cutting edge of sustainability.” —Celeste Connors, Hawaii reen rowth
Current to Goal
View the st ate’s progress o n each of the sust ainability goals at da shboard. hawaii.gov/ aloha-chall enge.
Renewable Energy Goal
27%
100%
2017
2045
T
, Barrels
and economic priorities such as renewable energy, recycling, freshwater security, affordable housing, invasive species, land-based education programs and economic diversity. In addition, the Dashboard provides a platform to track greenhouse gas mitigation tied to Hawaii’s commitment to the Paris climate agreement. Hawaii Green Growth is a network of diverse public and private partners working toward these sustainability goals. Progress on Hawaii’s sustainability goals is being monitored and measured, and is available for all to see on the Aloha+ Challenge Dashboard. The Hawaiian Electric Companies are making great progress toward the clean energy goal, and are focused on achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2045. In 2017 Hawaiian Electric achieved a consolidated 27 percent renewable energy portfolio standard. By island in 2017, Oahu reached 21 percent renewable energy, Maui reached 34 percent and Big Island reached 57 percent. “These are achievements that all of us in Hawaii can be proud of,” says Alan Oshima, Hawaiian Electric president and CEO. “We are fully committed to Hawaii’s Aloha+ Challenge sustainability goals, and to reaching our state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Working together, we’ll get there.” Oshima is a member of the Sustainability Business Forum convened by Hawaii Green Growth, which brings together business executives for candid dialogue and concrete initiatives that advance triple bottom line values: social, environmental and economic. Among its partnership priorities for the next three years, the Hawaii Green Growth network is working to engage individuals, communities and students on the Aloha+ Challenge through an open-data dashboard in an effort to empower and accelerate action.
Reach 40% renewable energy usage in the electricity sector by 2030, and 100% clean energy by 2045.
ET
42,397
,
Fossil Fuel Usage Goal Reduce fossil fuel usage to below the 2008 baseline of 42,397 barrels.
, 2000
2005
2010
2015
51.6%
2015
2030
70%
1,362,075
tons of recycled materials as of June 2016
2020
Solid Waste Reduction Goal Reduce solid waste prior to disposal to 70% by 2030.
Recycled Materials Materials that are recycled statewide
SOURCE: HAWAII GREEN GROWTH
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Leading the Way BY LENNIE OMALZA
renewable energy is energy that does not deplete when it’s used; instead, it’s naturally replenished. Renewable energy can come from sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves or geothermal heat. Unlike renewable energy, once fossil fuels are used, they cannot be replaced. If we switch to renewable energy sources, we’ll never run out of electricity! the aloha state has the most aggressive clean energy goal in the country: 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Currently, Hawaii is using 27 percent renewable energy, which puts us on track to reach our goal. “We are well on our way to 100 percent renewable energy — even before 2045,” says Dawn Lippert, chair of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative advisory board and founder of Elemental Excelerator. “How we get there and how fast depends on our ability to work together as a community — if we collaborate, we can power our islands locally, without importing fossil fuels.”
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Hawaiian Electric is constantly working on ways to gather renewable energy from various sources, including:
The Sun
abundant sunshine makes Hawaii a national leader in solar power. By 2017, Hawaiian Electric recorded 695 megawatts of cumulative installed solar. The solar added last year produce power equivalent to that used by about 32,000 homes. The solar total includes 82,000 private rooftop solar systems connected or approved.
The Wind
The Ocean
harnessing the wind is another clean, sustainable way to generate electricity. The motion of the wind is captured and converted to electricity by wind turbine generators. You’ve probably noticed seven groups of wind turbines — called a wind farm — as you’ve driven around the Islands.
with water covering more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, oceans are the world’s largest collector and retainer of the sun’s energy. Hawaiian Electric has experimented with ocean thermal energy conversion, but the technology is not yet commercially available.
Renewable Portfolio Standard Progress 25% 20% 15%
5% 0
2011
2012
2013
ustomer- ited, rid- onnected hotovoltaic
olar Thermal
2014
2015
iofuels Hydro
2016
2017
ind eothermal
iomass SOURCE: HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC; THINKSTOCK
10%
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Commit to Clean Energy BY LENNIE OMALZA
the hawaii clean energy initiative is a network of private sector, non-profit, and government leaders committed to helping Hawaii reach its clean energy goals. By activating key players, it builds upon the ongoing work of public and private organizations to: • Define the new infrastructure needed to move Hawaii to a clean energy economy.
What can I do to help Hawaii reach its renewable energy goals?
• Create economic opportunity by developing and diversifying Hawaii’s economy so all of us reap the benefits of a sustainable energy policy.
• Keep abreast of the latest happenings in the renewable energy scene by joining the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative mailing list at hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org.
• Establish an “open source” learning model that supports other Island communities seeking to achieve similar goals while making Hawaii a world model for clean, energy-based economies.
• Support renewable energy programs in your community such as Hawaiian Electric’s Sun Power for Schools. The educational program teaches students and the community about emerging renewable energy technologies, energy management tools and equipment that will help integrate renewable energy into a modern electric grid.
• Build our workforce with new skills that will form the foundation of an energy-independent Hawaii.
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• Have a big-picture renewable energy idea? Check out elementalexcelerator.com. It helps companies improve systems that impact people’s lives, regarding energy, water, agriculture and transportation. • We’ll get to our goal in 2045, or before! But until then, be sure to use energy wisely. Check out hawaiienergy.com for tips on how to be more energy efficient. And to get a free online home energy check, visit hawaiianelectric.com.
PHOTOS: THINKSTOCK; COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
• Foster and demonstrate innovation in the use of clean energy technologies, creative financing and public policy to accelerate our transition to clean energy.
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COMMUNIT Y SOL AR ON THE HORIZON WHAT IS COMMUNITY SOLAR? cially nown as ommunityased enewable Energy, community solar is e actly what it sounds li e solar power that’s available to everyone in the community, rather than only homeowners. To participate, residents pay for a portion of a solar farm’s output and in return receive monthly credits on their electric bills.
WILL THE SOLAR FARM BE CLOSE TO MY HOUSE? The solar farms may or may not be built directly in a community or neighborhood. arying in si e and location, they are usually built by solar developers or other organi ations, including churches, clubs and other associations.
HOW WILL I BENEFIT FROM COMMUNITY SOLAR? ou will have the opportunity to save money on your monthly electric bill by participating. ou also won’t need to worry about having panels on your own roof this eliminates dealing
with building permits, installing a new roof or even getting permission for installation.
WHEN WILL COMMUNITY SOLAR BE AVAILABLE? Hawaiian Electric, aui Electric, Hawaii Electric ight, and auai sland tility ooperative submitted the final rules and procedures for approval to put community solar into the mar etplace. e on the loo out in the coming months more information about how it will all wor and how you can participate will be coming from these utility companies, as well as from developers and various subscriber organi ations.
INCREASING ISL AND RESILIENCE In December 2016, the ce of limate hange, ustainability and esiliency was established by ahu voters and embedded in the ity harter. The citi ens of ahu empowered this o ce to tac le climate change head-on, and my administration is committed to creating a greener and cleaner island community that is percent renewable and resilient to the challenges that we all face together, says ayor ir aldwell. The first order of business for the new o ce is to create a resilience strategy for ahu, including increased e ciency and sustainability policies within city government. n the first si
months the o ce has presented its ideas at nearly community meetings around ahu and more than , residents have provided input. y early , the o ce will finali e a strategy that tac les island vulnerabilities and addresses climate challenges. Hurricane aria hitting uerto ico was a wa e-up call to how e posed we really are to climate impacts, says osh tanbro, the o ce’s mayor-appointed e ecutive director and chief resilience o cer. lot of our wor will focus on preparation and protecting our island from shoc s and stresses that are on the hori on. Learn more at resilientoahu.org.
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Learn How to be More Energy Efficient BY LENNIE OMALZA
What is energy efficiency?
Practicing energy efficiency is all about being more mindful and making better choices when you consume electricity. It includes being energy smart and careful not to waste power. This consists of everything from using Hawaii’s sunshine to heat your water via solar power, or simply remembering to turn off lights when they’re not in use.
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How do I benefit from being energy efficient?
Not only does being energy efficient help the environment, it also helps you save money! If you make wise energy choices now — such as using LED lightbulbs or purchasing ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances — your home, ohana and wallet will thank you in the future.
Why is energy efficiency especially important in Hawaii?
We all know that living in paradise doesn’t come cheap. But Hawaii residents often overlook energy efficiency while cutting back in other areas to make living here more affordable. Lowering energy usage is a win-win: It saves us money while simultaneously having a positive impact on our environment — and helping preserve this paradise for our keiki.
What is currently being done to improve energy efficiency in our Islands?
Hawaii Energy has been working hard to make sure every family and business is educated and has access to the necessary programs and solutions to make energy efficiency possible. “Fortunately,” says Shayna Doi, Hawaii Energy’s Marketing
PHOTO: AARON K. YOSHINO
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
and Communications manager, “our state and county leadership prioritizes conversations and action around energy, which has helped our Islands make major moves in our progress toward the clean energy goal. Though we have much left to tackle, we’re also seeing a real commitment from residents and businesses to make smart energy choices, and knowing we’re moving the needle together motivates us.”
How can I be more energy efficient?
Get started by joining the Hawaii Energy Program, which has been helping Island families save money by implementing
energy-saving practices since it was created in 2009. It encourages and rewards smart energy choices through financial incentives, educational programs and collaborations with other local energy-smart organizations. Through this program, Hawaii has saved more than $1 billion in energy costs over the past nine years. “The beauty of energy efficiency,” says Doi, “is that you don’t have to own a home or live in a certain part of the Island. Everyone can make smart energy decisions to reduce their energy use and lower their electric bill.” Learn more at hawaiienergy.com.
SMARTER ENERGY = FATTER WALLET ave energy and receive the following rebates from Hawaii Energy
$100
$150 et a rebate when you trade in your old, wor ing, energy-draining refrigerator for a ualifying E E T model. r, if you ust want to get rid of an old, wor ing fridge or free er, Hawaii Energy will recycle it, paying you up to for each one.
ave when you have your solar water heater tuned up by a participating contractor. Hawaii Energy recommends maintenance every three to five years.
$75 oo a maintenance tuneup for your home’s system. hen you do, you’ll receive a rebate.
ive your a brea fan and receive a
urchase a rebate.
$75 raw in cooler outside air to your home by pushing the hot air out of attic vents with a whole-house fan. nstallation earns a rebate. isit hawaiienergy.com for more info and details.
ILLUSTRATIONS: THINKSTOCK
Trade in an old, wor ing window unit for a ualifying E E T one for a rebate.
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7 Quick Tips to Save Energy Take advantage of Hawaii’s trade winds by using fans instead of air conditioners. If you must turn on your AC, use fans simultaneously to help circulate the cold air, saving energy and money.
2
3
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Did you know that electronics such as laptops, cellphone chargers and DVD players all use standby power, even when they’re not in use? If you connect these devices to a power strip and turn them off when they’re not needed, it could save $10.50 each year.
Resist the urge to peek at those cookies. Opening the oven door causes the temperature to drop 25 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring additional energy to bring it back up.
PHOTOS: THINKSTOCK
1
G R E EGNR E HEAN WA H IAI W| ACIO IM | M E NUENRI G TY
4 Wash only full loads of dishes, then air dry them instead of using the heated dryer setting on your dishwasher — and save up to $23 per year.
5
6 Only wash full loads of clothes, and always use cold water. You’ll save water and do laundry less often! Shorten your showers by just two minutes. Doing this could save up to
in energy costs per year, per person — plus additional savings on your water bill.
7 Use motion-detecting switches on outdoor lighting. That way, you can ensure lights go on only when they’re in use.
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SOURCE: HAWAII ENERGY
$56
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
How can solar energy help me save money on my electric bill?
There are four ways to connect the solar system on your roof to your utility company: • Customer Self-Supply (CSS) – This allows customers to install PV systems that do not export power to the utility grid. All the power produced by the customer’s system will need to be used immediately or stored to be used by the customer later. • Smart Export – Unlike with CSS, Smart Export residents’ PV systems do export power to the utility grid. Customers who are approved for this program receive credits on their electric bill for exporting energy from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m.
BY LENNIE OMALZA
What is solar energy?
Solar energy is a clean and renewable resource that can be used to heat water or produce electricity with the installation of a solar water heater or photovoltaic (PV) system. It can help save money on your monthly electric bill, contribute to a cleaner environment by reducing the amount of fuel used to make electricity, and increase the value of your home.
How many people in Hawaii use solar energy?
Hawaii leads the nation in residential solar. There are currently 82,000 private rooftop systems that are already connected or approved to be connected to Hawaiian Electric’s grids — and that number will continue to grow. In fact, in 2017, approximately 109 megawatts of new solar was installed across Hawaiian Electric service territories; this represents a 19 percent jump from 2016 and helps to move the Islands closer to a clean energy future.
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• Customer Grid-Supply (CGS) – This program allows customers to export energy to the grid throughout the day. Currently, the program is fully subscribed but remains open until installed capacity is reached.
How can I interconnect a rooftop system for my home?
It’s easy to apply for a PV system. The Hawaiian Electric Companies have a new online tool for customers to submit interconnection applications electronically at any time. Learn more at hawaiianelectric.com/ renewableprograms.
PHOTO: COURESTY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
Shine On, Solar Energy
• Customer Grid-Supply Plus (CGS-plus) – This program allows Hawaiian Electric to measure, monitor and if necessary, control CGS-plus systems to maintain grid stability. Customers receive credit on their monthly bills.
Transportation
G R E E N H A W A I I | T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
On the Fast Track BY STEPHANIE SILVERSTEIN
IN THE MARKET?
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tation (HART), which is responsible for building the 20-mile Honolulu rail transit system. An electric-powered rail system, like the one HART is building, produces about 75 percent less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger
mile than cars. A hui of nonprofit organizations and businesses with a shared agenda to support clean energy and electrified transportation have formed Drive Electric Hawaii, a partnership that is working to expe-
If you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle, use an online calculator to understand your savings potential and select the right vehicle for your needs at hawaiianelectric.wattplan.com/ev.
PREVIOUS PAGE PHOTO: ELYSE BUTLER MALLAMS, PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
E
lectric vehicles are fast becoming a sensible option for Hawaii drivers. Additional charging station locations, state and federal incentives and refined vehicle design and performance are all playing a role in accelerating people’s decisions to drive electric vehicles on Hawaii’s roads. In January, the number of electric vehicles registered in the state reached 6,748, an increase of almost 30 percent from one year earlier. While electric vehicles are still far outnumbered by gasoline-powered vehicles, Hawaii has the second-highest rate of EV adoption in the country. Hawaiian Electric, in collaboration with numerous energy and transportation stakeholders, is developing a road map to help guide the actions needed for Hawaii to be among the leaders in the global transformation of transportation. The utility is also offering time-of-use rates that provide an opportunity to save money by using energy during times when solar and wind are most abundant, like the middle of the day. “Electrification of transportation is a global movement that can play a leading role in climate change mitigation,” says Brennon Morioka, Hawaiian Electric’s general manager of electrification of transportation. “And it’s more than just about electric cars. EOT also involves electrifying truck and bus fleets, as well as our airports and harbors, and building an electric-powered rail system for Honolulu.” Morioka is the former state director of transportation and former deputy director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transpor-
G R E E NG R H EAEWNA H I I A|WTARIAI N | SCPOOMRM TAT U NIIO TN Y
“ lectri cation of transportation is a global movement that can pla a leading role in climate change mitigation.” —Brennon Morioka, Hawaiian Electric
PERSONAL PERKS Drivers of electric vehicles can take advantage of: 1
Use of high-occupancy and zipper lanes without passengers 2
Free parking at state and municipal garages and in metered stalls 3
Lower fuel and maintenance costs
Supporting electric vehicles promotes a clean energy future for Hawaii as renewable energy is increasingly added to the grid, making charging a vehicle a more environmentally friendly option than fueling with gas. It reduces the need for oil and reduces fossil fuel emissions. The personal benefits are plentiful, including lower fuel, maintenance and parking costs. Time is a priceless benefit, and electric vehicles have access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes, regardless of how many passengers are in the car. The Hawaiian Electric Companies also offer fast-charging stations across Oahu, Maui and Big Island that drivers pay for by kilowatt-hour, which varies similar to time-of-use rates. “I personally almost always use the fast-charging stations that Hawaiian Electric has,” says Lawlor. “It takes me less than 30 minutes to fill up.”
Registered passenger EVs in Hawaii at the start of each year
6,748 5,202
4,073 3,243 2,222 1,195
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
SOURCE: STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
2018
ILLUSTRATION: THINKSTOCK
dite the electrification of transportation through policy, education and funding opportunities. Shem Lawlor, director of the Sustainable Transportation Coalition of Hawaii and clean transportation director of Blue Planet Foundation, is one of many working to achieve the 100 percent clean transportation goal by 2045, a target set by county mayors in December. They’ve pledged to transition their fleet vehicles even earlier, and electric buses this year began transporting riders on 23 bus routes around Oahu in a pilot program. “We’re going to have an electric grid that’s 100 percent renewable by 2045, so we’re focused on getting vehicles transferred over to being electric because, even if our electric grid is only 27 percent renewable today, it’s going to be significantly cleaner moving forward every year,” Lawlor says. Electric vehicles produce less carbon than gas-powered vehicles, whether the electricity used to charge them is provided by clean energy or by fossil fuels. By 2045, electric vehicles will be carbon-free.
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Full Charge Ahead
PRINCEVILLE
1
18
Commutes to work and road trips around the island are simpler than ever for drivers of electric vehicles, with hundreds of public EV charging stations located across the Hawaiian Islands. Download the Hawaii State Energy ce’s free mobile app, EV Stations Hawaii, for more detailed information about each charging station.
TOTAL STATIONS
15
KAUAI
LIHUE
KOLOA
2
TOTAL STATIONS
172 MILILANI WAIANAE
LAIE
1
1
2
2
PEARL CITY 5
AIEA KANEOHE
6 WAIPAHU
9
4
KAPOLEI
18
EWA BEACH
OAHU 20 GREEN HAWAII 2018
1
1
HONOLULU
120
PEARL HARBOR
KAILUA
ILLUSTRATIONS: THINKSTOCK; RESEARCH SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
WAHIAWA
2
KAHANA
1 8
LAHAINA
11
WAILUKU
23
MAUI
KAHULUI 2
PUKALANI
7
KIHEI
WAILEA
54
2
TOTAL STATIONS
1
TOTAL STATIONS
LANAI CITY
1
LANAI
1
KAPAAU
HAWAII 3 KOHALA COAST
WAIKOLOA
WAIMEA
2
3
12
HILO
9
30
TOTAL STATIONS
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G R E E N H A W A I I | T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
Share the Road, Protect the Environment
T
he roads in town are being shared more than ever before thanks to the state’s first bikeshare program, which officials plan to expand this year. Since Bikeshare Hawaii launched Biki last June, the bicycles have been taken on more than 450,000 rides. In the first six months of the program, 64 percent of the rides were taken by Oahu residents. Biki Stops are located between Chinatown and Waikiki, and from Beretania Street to beachside parks and roads. The bikes are an eco-friendly alternative to driving or catching a ride in an Uber, Lyft or cab. A Biki member survey found that 59 percent of respondents used their personal car most of the time before Biki, which suggests the program is succeeding in taking cars off Honolulu’s crowded roads. The survey also found that 36 percent of respondents used Biki to commute to work, 60 percent to dine and 56 percent to shop. “Biki benefits Hawaii residents and visitors by providing a low-cost, convenient, zero emissions transportation option that is healthy for the community and the environment,” says Lori McCarney, CEO of Bikeshare Hawaii. “By offering an af-
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fordable alternative to cars, Biki reduces or eliminates parking, gas, traffic and the use of fossil fuels. Biki also takes advantage of Honolulu’s year-round sunny weather as our Biki Stops are solar powered.” Bikeshare Hawaii is working on expansion plans for the middle of this year that call for additional Biki Stop locations, based on requests from the community. According to Bikeshare, 130 requests have been submitted for Biki Stops in neighborhoods currently not served by Biki, or for additional stops within its current range. In-demand location requests include Makiki, the University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Park and Iwilei. If you’re interested in trying Biki, consider downloading the Biki App. It shows the location of each Biki Stop and provides real-time availability of bikes and docks at each station. If you’d like to support Biki’s mission in other ways, consider the Adopt-a-Biki program. A $1,000 adoption fee allows you to create a personalized inscription that will be placed on a Biki. You can track the Biki’s activity, including how many people have ridden it, how many miles it has logged and how many calories it has helped riders burn.
PHOTO: ELYSE BUTLER MALLAMS
BY STEPHANIE SILVERSTEIN
Food & Health
G R E E N H A W A I I | F O O D & H E A LT H
Keeping Local Food Local: How We Can All Play a Role
W
representing more than 25 percent of the state’s total land mass. However, with increases in population growth and the resulting strains on natural resources, we’re losing more and more farmland every year. At the same time, Hawaii continues to be heavily reliant on imported food to feed its 1.4 million residents and 9 million visitors per year. About 90 percent of the food being consumed in the islands is shipped or flown in daily, which costs approximately $3 billion a year. In the event of a significant disruption in that supply chain, Hawaii’s food supply would last between three and 10 days. It’s a food security threat that many are taking seriously. Various government, private and nonprofit organizations are striving to not just sustain, but also increase, the amount of food grown and produced locally. The state even set an
PREVIOUS PAGE PHOTO: ELYSE BUTLER MALLAMS, PHOTOS: ELYSE BUTLER MALLAMS; SOURCE: ULUPONO INITIATIVE
hen it comes to food, you don’t have to be a foodie or a connoisseur to appreciate it. Whether you’re barbecuing after a game with friends, enjoying a homemade meal with family or celebrating a special occasion at your favorite restaurant, food has the power to connect and unite people. In Hawaii, our food roots run deep. The state’s rich agricultural history extends back centuries, first as a foundational element of the Native Hawaiian ahupuaa system and later as part of plantation life. Generations of families made their homes in the islands and dedicated their lives to the productive stewardship of the islands’ fertile lands. Fast forward to 2018. More than 1 million acres throughout Hawaii are designated as important agricultural lands,
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G R E E N H A W A I I | F O O D & H E A LT H
“We are proud supporters of some of the more innovative and forward-thinking projects that will enhance and grow the agricultural community.” —Amy Hennessey, Ulupono Initiative
ambitious goal of doubling local food production by 2020. One of the groups working hard to make an impact is Ulupono Initiative, a Honolulu-based impact investment firm that believes more local food production is key to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Ulupono invests in Hawaii-focused operations that have the best opportunities to move the state toward sustainable self-sufficiency. “We use our financial resources to fund large-scale ventures that will have the greatest impact in the islands,” said Amy Hennessey, an accredited public relations practitioner and Ulupono Initiative’s director of communications. “We are proud supporters of some of the more innovative and forward-thinking projects that will enhance and grow the agricultural community.” While Ulupono operates on a widespread level, there are ways individuals can share in the responsibility. One of the easiest ways is an activity that’s already part of our everyday lives – food shopping – as consumers can make a
difference with their choices and money. When doing their weekly grocery runs, shoppers can consciously buy local products. In fact, a recent study of 1,200 Oahu shoppers showed overwhelming support for local foods. Some of the locally produced items you can put in your shopping cart are Paniolo Cattle Co.’s pasture-raised beef from Parker Ranch on Big Island and fresh vegetables grown in Waianae at MA‘O Organic Farms. Consumers are even embracing the relatively new trend of produce delivery services, called Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. Oahu Fresh is one such CSA provider, using its network of local farms to source vegetables and fruits that are then delivered weekly to subscribers, including homes, restaurants and hotels. While shopping local is a powerful tool, what do you do when your child wants to eat something else? Hawaii’s schools are taking the initiative to provide opportunities to help shape students’ food knowledge and pref-
erences. Statewide school gardens programs have been educating students about where foods come from, how they’re grown and why they’re a healthier choice. In recent years, locally produced foods have made their way onto school trays, including fresh fruits, vegetables and even lau lau. In 2016, a farm-toschool pilot project launched at the Kohala complex on Big Island, with support from the lieutenant governor’s office and partial funding by Ulupono Initiative. Now known as the ‘Aina Pono Farm-to-Cafeteria program, it is an integral part of the state Department of Education and is expanding to other schools and islands. Will we meet the state’s aggressive goal and double food production in the next two years? Whether or not it can realistically be achieved, it is critical that everyone continues working toward growing, buying and supporting more local food production. It will take a united Hawaii to cultivate a sustainable and independent local food industry.
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G R E E N H A W A I I | F O O D & H E A LT H
Healthy Hawaii BY CATHY CRUZ - GEORGE
E
very wednesday at 4:30 p.m., an enthusiastic group of Kapolei residents gathers near a public library to participate in a “Walking Moai.” Their mission? To get healthier. To get out of their houses. And to get to know their neighbors. The concept of “moai” (Japanese translation: meeting for a common purpose) stems from Okinawa, where social networks and family ties run strong. Kathy Davenport, a team leader who helped to organize Kapolei’s “Walking Moai,” was thrilled to see participants of all ages at the first meeting in February. “We had walkers as young as 11 and some past 70 – we even had dogs,” she says. Kapolei residents, however, aren’t the only ones walking the walk. Similar groups are cropping up in local neighborhoods, schools and worksites – thanks to the Blue Zones Project, a global initiative to help people live longer, happier and healthier. In Manoa, Makiki, McCully and Moiliili, Blue Zones Project is teaming up with Bikeshare Hawaii and the Hawaii Bicycling League to organize mobile tours to promote healthier lifestyles. In 2015, healthcare group HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association) brought the Blue Zones Project to the Aloha State. Today, Blue Zones Project has been adopted by eight neighborhoods on Oahu, Maui and Big Island, and by hundreds of local schools, worksites, grocery stores, restaurants and places of worship. This past January, the Honolulu City Council officially recognized Blue Zones Project
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Hawaii, a milestone for the growing movement. “I’m amazed and grateful for the wonderful work that people are doing across the state of Hawaii to make sure that we have the healthiest and most vibrant communities possible,” says Elisa Yadao, HMSA’s senior vice president and chief communications and community engagement officer. “Our goal is to focus on well-being and health and to work closely with communities – we simply cannot focus [solely] on sickness and diseases.” Year after year, nationwide health surveys consistently rank Hawaii among the healthiest in the country – due in part to low rates of smoking and obesity, year-round sunshine, a relaxed culture, high immunization rates and a thriving population of seniors. But there is plenty of room for improvement. Yadao and her HMSA team have worked closely with Dan Buettner, a best-selling author and founder of Blue Zones, to roll out the program in Hawaii. Buettner’s 2005 cover story, “Secrets of a Long Life,” in National Geographic Magazine, featured the healthy habits of centenarians in five regions of the world: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. Although ethnically diverse, the centenarians shared nine traits: They exercised naturally (without gym memberships); woke up every morning with a purpose; knew how to manage stress; stopped eating when they were 80 percent full; ate plant-based diets filled with fresh fruits and vegetables; enjoyed a daily glass of wine with good friends; belonged to faith-based groups; put their families first; and surrounded themselves with positive people. If these habits, dubbed the “Power 9,” become the norm for Hawaii, local residents could see their life expectancy increase by up to 12 years. “We’re optimistic,” Yadao says.
PHOTO: ELYSE BUTLER MALLAMS
Community
G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
Transforming Land and Lives
L
ooking at kupu even strictly by the numbers is impressive enough. The nonprofit, which provides service-learning opportunities for young adults in the green jobs sector, has worked with more than 3,600 participants. It has planted 1 million native plants and removed invasive species from more than 100,000 acres of land. And its economic impact totals a whopping $95 million over the last decade. But CEO John Leong measures the organization’s success through the individuals that it’s helped. “The most exciting thing is to see the different lives that are changed because of the program,” explains Leong, who founded Kupu alongside wife Julianna and chief operating officer Matthew Bauer. “Seeing so many young men and women understand their potential and their passions — that is really what gets me excited.” Kupu offers a range of training opportunities for teens and young adults in the conservation, agriculture, sustainability and renewable energy fields.
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Its offerings include the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Community Program, which connects underserved youths with service opportunities while helping them develop leadership skills and providing a broad set of social services. Its clean energy and sustainable development fellowship, Sustainability Initiatives, is designed to give field experience and technical training to young professionals. The Conservation Leadership Development Program creates entry-level positions in conservation-focused organizations. Another program, Environmental Education Leadership Development, places college grads at schools to lead hands-on projects that have included implementing recycling programs, starting school gardens and building aquaponics systems. With its core programs going strong throughout the state, Kupu has recently expanded its reach to other Pacific islands, as well as California. And it’s recruiting members for the first cohort of a forthcoming program designed for midcareer professionals from throughout the Pacific to explore innovative practices for island resiliency.
PREVIOUS PAGE PHOTO: AARON K. YOSHINO, PHOTOS: ELYSE BUTLER MALLAMS, COURTESY OF KUPU
BY CHRISTINA O’CONNOR
G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
“The most exciting thing is to see the different lives that are changed because of the program.” —John Leong, Kupu
Kupu’s list of partners includes more than 150 community groups, environmental nonprofits and government agencies — including The Nature Conservancy, Oahu Invasive Species Committee and various divisions of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Many of these organizations go on to hire Kupu alumni after their internships wrap. These days, after more than 10 years of Kupu, its alumni are everywhere; Leong says that he is constantly running into past program participants — and he loves nothing more than to see the progress they’ve made. Just recently, for instance, Kupu staffers were visited by a former participant who’d been struggling with a drug problem and had been living on the streets during his time there. In the intervening years, this young man had become a homeowner and a successful executive.
“He came in with his fiancée and he said, ‘I need to show my fiancée the place that saved my life — because if it wasn’t for this program, I would have died,’” Leong recalls. “It’s those kinds of things where … you see how (Kupu) is not only transforming the physical world, but it is changing lives,” he says. “And you really can’t quantify that.” It’s that dual purpose of transforming the land and the lives of those working on it that is truly at the crux of all of Kupu’s programming. After all, as Leong points out, the two components are intertwined: By instilling values of caring for the land into young adults, Kupu is helping to ensure that those practices are carried into the next generation. That is true sustainability. For more information on Kupu, visit kupuhawaii.org.
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G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
Hokulea’s Homecoming BY BROOKE LAPORTE
I
n the course of its four-year worldwide voyage completed in 2017, the Hokulea and its crew members became symbols for a sustainable future around the globe. The historic voyage continues into 2018 as the Hokulea and its sister canoe, Hikianalia, visit Hawaii’s ports to celebrate the sailing canoe’s homecoming. The Hokulea’s epic journey was made possible through the efforts of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, a Honolulu-based nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating traditional Polynesian voyaging methods. The Hokulea’s global sail was dedicated to the mission of malama honua, translated as, “to care for the island Earth.”
“We continue to sail and learn how people turn inspiration into action to navigate our communities toward a better future.” —Nainoa Thompson, Polynesian Voyaging Society
Says Nainoa Thompson, president and master navigator for the Polynesian Voyaging Society: “The mission of the Worldwide Voyage was to share and learn about how people all around the world malama honua. What we found is that everywhere, people are working toward a better future for our collective community, and in many places this work is grounded in the traditions and values of our indigenous people and ancestors.” Sailing across the Pacific, through the Indian Ocean, around the southern tip of Africa, across the Atlantic and down the U.S. East Coast before passing through the Panama Canal, the Hokulea and its crew members exchanged
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G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
PARTNERING WITH COMMUNIT Y, STRENGTHENING ROOTS
• Hawaiian Electric partnered with Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods to plant 150 koa trees, as part of the native reforestation initiative on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island.
• Hawaii Electric Light annually supports Kua O Ka La Charter School’s tree giveaway. The students care for the trees and compile a newsletter to distribute with them.
• Maui Electric partnered with Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program and the Maui Department of Water Supply for the annual Arbor Day tree and plant giveaway.
• At the Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) Charitable Foundation, a key focus area is promoting environmental sustainability. Since 2010, the foundation has donated more than $10 million to Hawaii’s charities.
“We’re proud to support and partner with local organizations who share our values, like Kupu, Trust for Public Lands, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and the Hokulea,” says HEI Foundation’s AJ Halagao. “We hope to do our part in strengthening our communities and being a catalyst for a better Hawaii.”
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
traditional Hawaiian teachings with communities invested in a sustainable future. Abroad, the world was impressed to hear such impactful messages from the deck of a relatively small sailing canoe and its diverse crew of master and apprentice navigators. “This malama honua mission remains relevant today as we continue to sail and learn how people turn inspiration into action to navigate our communities toward a better future,” says Thompson. Now at home in Hawaiian waters, the Hokulea and its crew members will continue to advance the mission of malama honua in our community, visiting local harbors and educating our keiki and kupuna on the importance of sustainability.
PHOTOS: JAKE MAROTE; SAM KAPOI, OIWI TV COURTESY OF POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY
In celebration of Arbor Day in Hawaii, the Hawaiian Electric Companies have collaborated with local organizations to give away a variety of trees and shrubs. The effort helps to educate customers on safe tree planting, fruit picking and tree trimming practices. “For the last 25 years, we have supported this event as it allowed us to share how trees benefit the environment and reduce our carbon footprint,” says Kanani Imai, Hawaiian Electric’s director of education and consumer affairs, and lead organizer of the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. “The Tree Giveaway was another way for us to connect with members in our community as we work toward a greener and more sustainable future.”
Working together, we’ll reach our clean energy future, and create a greener, more sustainable Hawai‘i.