ALOHA!
The State of Hawai‘i has a bold energy agenda — to achieve 100 percent clean energy by the year 2045.
Along with reducing our islands’ dependency on fossil fuels and increasing efficiency measures, the energy plan also contributes to the state’s economic growth. Because Hawai‘i is committed to repowering the clean energy economy, we have embraced bold solutions that will help develop a competitive market for utility-scale and distributed energy resources, making Hawai‘i a leader in the clean energy transition.
In the aftermath of the deadly Lahaina wildfires of 2023, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO) was tasked by Governor Josh Green, M.D. to develop a new energy strategy to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in the electricity sector, and achieve three key objectives:
Evaluate options to replace residual fuel oil for power generation.
Create opportunities for capital investment in grid infrastructure and power generation to ensure and enhance energy system reliability and resilience.
Accelerate Hawai‘i’s energy transition to renewable and carbon-free energy.
Hawai‘i’s ENERGY Story
Life on the Hawaiian archipelago has been shaped by elemental energy sources — wind, water, earth, sun, moon, and sky. The Hawaiian creation story told through the Kumulipo tells of the interconnected relationship between humankind and nature. An ancestral link to nature’s life-giving and life-sustaining energy is a core feature of the Hawaiian cultural value system. We often see it expressed through mālama ‘āina: the care and stewardship of the environment and natural resources. Energy is a shared natural resource that connects us to the past and provides our foundation for the future.
HSEO fulfills its mission to residents through strategy and thought leadership; program design and implementation; analysis, reporting, and data collection and sharing; regulatory support; and education, outreach, and community/public engagement.
CLEAN ENERGY VISION
The goal of the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative is to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2045. Through collaboration between thought leaders and committed groups and individuals, HCEI builds upon the dynamic, ongoing work of public and private organizations at the national, state, and county level
Energy Policy in Hawai‘i
The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient clean energy economy. HSEO’s primary roles and activities are set forth in Sections 196-71 and 196-72, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes.
Partner WITH HSEO
Current and open Requests for Interest (RFI) and Requests for Proposal (RFP) issued by HSEO are linked here and on the Hawaii Awards and Notices Data System (HANDS).
Alternative fuels, repowering, and energy transition study
Governor Josh Green, M.D., tasked HSEO with developing a new energy strategy to reduce energy costs, increase generation reliability and resilience, and achieve carbon emission reductions in the electricity sector, post-Maui wildfires, while achieving two key objectives:
- Accelerate Hawaiʻi’s energy transition to renewable and carbon-free energy.
- Evaluate options to replace residual fuel oil for power generation and to ensure and enhance energy system reliability and resilience.
The Alternative Fuel, Repowering, and Energy Transition Study builds on more than ten years of related studies. It is one part of a broader effort to develop an energy transition strategy to support national security, safeguard energy infrastructure, increase energy affordability, and accelerate renewable energy adoption.
decarbonIZATION
Act 238, Session Laws of Hawai’i 2022, tasks the Hawai‘i State Energy Office to “analyze pathways and develop recommendations for achieving the State’s economy-wide decarbonization goals.” Additionally, the study evaluates emission reduction pathways from all emitting sectors economy-wide.
Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes §225P-5, Hawai’i has a target “to sequester more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases than emitted within the State as quickly as practicable, but no later than 2045”, effectively establishing a net-negative emissions target.
Resource Quick links
Hawai‘i State Energy
Office Publications
The Hawai‘i State Energy Office offers a database of publications regarding numerous key energy topics such as alternative energy programs and energy legislation written by universities, consultants, industry organizations, and government bodies. Find reports, studies, research papers, resource assessments, and more.
Solar Water Heater Mandate
An online application was developed to help expedite the submittal of a request for variance (exemption) from Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §196-6.5, which mandates that, effective January 1, 2010, all new single-family dwellings (which includes Accessory Dwelling Units and similar single-family dwellings) built in the State of Hawai‘i have a solar water heater.
Fuel Imports Dashboard
The Hawaiʻi Fuel Imports Dashboard is an interactive data visualization illustrating from where Hawaiʻi imports the various fuels consumed across the islands. Using fuel shipment data the dashboard identifies the broad array of fuels that are imported into and consumed in Hawaiʻi.
Hawai‘i Renewable Energy
Projects Directory
The islands of Hawai‘i have abundant natural resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and hydropower. These precious resources could potentially meet a substantial portion of Hawai‘i’s energy needs. Use this interactive directory to find and learn about renewable energy projects in Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i Energy Flowchart
he Hawaiʻi Statewide Energy Flowchart is an interactive data visualization that illustrates the flow of energy throughout the statewide economy. From energy resources to final consumption, see what powers our islands.
News
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ENERGY AFFORDABILITY SIGNALLED AS STATE PRIORITY – Public Utilities Commission Heeds Calls for Rate Accountability in Waiau Repowering
HONOLULU — The First Decision and Order issued by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), under the direction of Chair Jon Itomura, signals energy affordability as a state priority, supporting broad state initiatives on affordable housing, healthcare and a firm commitment to reduce the cost of living for Hawaiʻi residents. In its decision, the PUC did not approve Hawaiian Electric’s request to recover up to $1.155 billion from ratepayers to upgrade the 75-year-old Waiau power plant, but instead set a cost-recovery cap at the utility’s original competitive bid of…
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STATE OF HAWAIʻI RECEIVES PROPOSAL FROM JERA TO MODERNIZE OʻAHU’S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
HONOLULU — JERA Co., Inc. (“JERA”), Japan’s largest power provider, has shared its proposal with the state of Hawai‘i to modernize Oʻahu’s energy system, building on the Strategic Partnering Agreement signed in October 2025. Developed with input from Hawaiʻi energy stakeholders and supported by agreements with local partners, the proposal seeks to accelerate the replacement of…
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Official Statement on the Rescission of the 2009 U.S. Endangerment Finding
Statement from Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick: “We are deeply concerned that the federal administration has repealed the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases, erasing a foundational piece of the country’s efforts to address climate change. This action, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, represents one of the largest environmental rollbacks in U.S history. It stands in stark…