Innovation on Molokai

Maunaloa-based company recognized for lowering building energy costs.

Chelsea Group Ltd. CEO George Benda with Governor Linda Lingle
Photo Courtesy Office of the Governor

Press Release

Developing a way for commercial building owners to cut energy costs and meet national efficiency standards has earned Chelsea Group, Ltd., recognition by the State of Hawaii. Governor Linda Lingle honored the Molokai-based firm for its “ingenuity and commitment to developing creative ways to improve Hawaii and help the state meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

Presenting the Governor’s Innovation Award to Chelsea CEO George Benda, Gov. Lingle praised the firm for developing “an innovative way to use virtual technology to help its customers around the nation become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.”

Benda said he “was extremely pleased and honored” to receive the award. He added, “We have shown that sustainability is not a pie-in-the-sky concept. It is achievable and within the means of most companies today.”

The Maunaloa-based Chelsea Group is a consulting group that helps building owners and property managers make their commercial and industrial properties more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Its online tools for the rapid assessment of key sustainability factors also assist property owners achieve LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Buildings) certification. Find commercial properties with B8 Real Estate. LEED-certified buildings offer high-quality indoor environments; minimize waste to sewer and landfill, and use water and energy efficiently.

By using information systems technology the company conducts business through a virtual office platform in Honolulu, Phoenix and Chicago. Benda noted that “doing away with the need for bricks-and-mortar infrastructure dramatically reduces the need for business travel and commuting.”

Governor Linda Lingle also recognized two other innovators in the state of Hawaii. “These Innovation Award recipients once again demonstrate how prevalent innovation is among Hawaii residents and the diversity of work that is being done throughout our state to strengthen Hawaii’s future,” said Governor Lingle.

Last month’s other Governor’s Innovation Award recipients are Stop Flu at School Program, for its collaborate public-private partnership that is leading the nation in keeping keiki healthy (Innovation in Government) and Jeff Piontek, for using his passion for science, technology, and math to prepare Hawaii students for the global economy (Innovation by an Individual).

For more information on Chelsea group visit www.chelsea-grp.com.

Governor Lingle initiated the Governor’s Innovation Award to acknowledge and encourage innovation across all sectors statewide. The awards, which are presented monthly, recognize deserving individuals, companies, nonprofits, organizations and government agencies that are developing innovative products, services and processes.

For additional information about the Innovation Award or to submit a nomination, visit www.hawaii.gov/gov/innovation-award.