How to Reach Renewable Energy Goals

Maui Electric News Release

Maui Electric Company will host community meetings to share possible options based on feedback collected from the Molokai community on how to achieve 100 percent renewable energy for the island. The meetings will start at 5 p.m. with light refreshments, followed by updates from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

• Tuesday, March 6: Kilohana Community Center
• Wednesday, March 7: Maunaloa Community Center
• Thursday, March 8: Mitchell Pau`ole Center

“We’re working toward accelerating clean energy plans for Molokai, and this includes continuous dialogue with all of you – the island’s residents and businesses throughout this process,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric. “At this meeting, we’d like to present possible paths on how Moloka‘i could be powered with 100 percent renewable energy, and what this could mean if it was possibly done ahead of the rest of the state.”

Since last March, Maui Electric has hosted 13 roundtable discussions with more than 150 Molokai residents, business owners, and students. Held in various locations, including Kaunakakai, Maunaloa and Kilohana, the sessions provided information about the island’s energy system, followed by discussion about how residents envision the island’s sustainable energy future.

Based on these sessions and community feedback, Maui Electric will present possible options that can be taken for the island to the lead the way when it comes to reaching 100 percent renewable energy. The company will also discuss how this process can involve proposals from potential renewable energy developers and land owners as well as approvals by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

“We need to take these steps together – the utility, residents, government leaders, businesses, community and environmental groups – as we start to make these clean energy plans in to a reality,” Suzuki said.