Energy Relief Grants

Hawaii Energy News Release

Hawaii Energy has awarded more than $1,000,000 in funding to 251 nonprofits and small businesses in Oahu, Maui and Hawaii counties, through its Energy Relief Grant program. Hawaii Energy launched the program in August 2020 to help fund energy efficiency improvements for nonprofits, small businesses and other qualifying organizations experiencing economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A handful of the awarded businesses are on Molokai.

“We recognize the hardships that many local businesses and nonprofits are facing during these unprecedented times,” said Brian Kealoha, executive director of Hawaii Energy. “With the funds provided through the Energy Relief Grant program, business owners will have the resources to reduce energy costs by $2,800 annually, on average, and pivot these savings to other business costs. I am excited to share that everyone who applied for a grant received at least a portion of the funding they requested. Additionally many contractors are small businesses too, so this Grant also helps generate business for them to keep them afloat during this tumultuous time. It is one of the reasons Hawaii is one of the few states that saw clean energy job growth during the pandemic.”

Energy Relief Grants were awarded in two rounds, and each recipient was awarded up to $25,000 in grants. Businesses may use the funding to cover eligible energy efficiency projects including, but not limited to, upgrades to inefficient air conditioning units, lighting retrofits, commercial kitchen equipment and solar water heaters. The funding may also be used to cover eligible expenses for the projects, such as parts, accessories, and other materials necessary for installation, labor for removal of equipment, site preparations and installation, and shipping costs.

Energy Relief Grants were awarded to 165 businesses on Oʻahu, 31 businesses in Maui county and 55 businesses on Hawaii Island. On Molokai, Molokai Drugs, Kamoi Snack n Go and Pu’u O Hoku Ranch received funds.

For more information, visit hawaiienergy.com.