Hawaiian Electric Celebrates a Century With Nonprofit Donations

Hawaiian Electric News Release

In commemoration of 100 years of serving its customers and communities on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, Hawaiian Electric is recognizing 21 nonprofit organizations across the county with a total contribution of over $11,000. The company’s employees nominated the organizations to receive donations for their impactful and positive efforts in the areas of community resilience, environmental sustainability, and educational excellence. On Molokai, Molokai Community Service Council and Molokai Land Trust both received $1,000.

“We’re celebrating our century of service with a reflection of our employee’s long-standing commitment to supporting our communities and customers,” said Mahina Martin, director of government and community affairs for Hawaiian Electric in Maui County. “Employees from all areas of our company enthusiastically highlighted these nonprofits working to make Maui, Molokai, and Lanai better, especially as many organizations had to quickly adapt their services to the community during the pandemic.”

Karen Holt, executive director of Molokai Community Service Council, said their organization has appreciated the community partnership with the company over the decades.

“Nonprofit organizations are a critical part of Hawaii’s economy and our organization has been around since 1974,” she said. “We work hard to deliver essential services to our communities. The pay is usually less than the private sector, but the rewards of doing good are invaluable. We really appreciate HECO for honoring the work that all of us do. And we congratulate Maui Electric for 100 years of service!”

Butch Haase, Molokai Land Trust executive director, also expressed thanks.

“Our community really appreciates HECO’s recognition and support of those in the nonprofit sector working tirelessly to make our island home a more sustainable and enriching environment,” he said. “We are grateful for the support and look forward to continued efforts in meeting our mission for the community going forward.”

Officially organized as Maui Electric Company in April 1921, the company went on to expand service to all parts of Maui — from Pa‘ia, Ha‘iku, Kula, Makawao to Waihe‘e, Lahaina and Hana, as well as Lanai and Molokai. In 2020, the company transitioned its name to Hawaiian Electric, which serves 95 percent of the state’s 1.4 million residents on Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Hawaii Island.

“Our islands have changed, and our communities have grown,” said Martin. “But, what hasn’t changed over a century is the commitment we’ve had to support our communities.”