ABOUT HSEO

Mark B. Glick

Chief Energy Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Mark serves as the Chief Energy Officer for the State of Hawai‘i, leading the Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO) in its mission to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy.

Stephen C. Walls

Deputy Energy Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Stephen serves as the Deputy Energy Officer for the State of Hawai‘i. Prior to supporting HSEO’s mission for a resilient and decarbonized energy system, Stephen worked on energy and climate issues in the private, public, non-profit, and academic sectors.

At the U.S. Department of Energy, Stephen helped create the Energy Transitions Initiative, a portfolio focused on improving the energy security and sustainability of island and remote grids of the United States. Before his tenure at USDOE, Stephen worked for General Electric, where he focused on government-supported financing mechanisms.

Stephen earned his J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., and studied International Relations (B.A.) and Economics (B.S.) at the University of Delaware. He has also held an adjunct faculty position with Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs, where he taught the importance of tailoring government programs to local priorities.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because our responsibility to promote and maintain a healthful environment can be an opportunity to show others that the clean energy transition is achievable.

Monique Schafer

Decarbonization Program Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Monique leads HSEO’s economy-wide decarbonization efforts. Through this work, Monique analyzes the pathways, policies, and actions needed to achieve Hawai‘i’s net-negative greenhouse emissions target and recommends state policies and programs to support these actions. Monique serves as the technical advisor on matters related to greenhouse gas reduction statewide.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because I believe, as humans, we have an ethical responsibility to work toward a cleaner energy system that does not pollute the environment and atmosphere on which we depend to sustain all life. The climate crisis is real and it is most heavily impacting the Earth’s most vulnerable communities. We cannot sustain our planet without balancing the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and ending our thirst for fossil fuels. The movement toward a clean energy system is critical for the future, but it must be done mindfully, keeping in mind that not all renewable energy is clean. Siting and choosing the energy that will power the islands for generations and doing so in a way that is pono is especially important to me and is a task that I take very seriously.

Yvonne Hunter

Strategy and Marketing Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:

As Strategy and Marketing Officer, Yvonne Hunter supports HSEO leadership and staff in progressing the State’s renewable energy mandate.

Ms. Hunter brings expertise from senior leadership roles at Four Seasons Resorts, Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library and the University of Waterloo. In 2023, she worked with the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute to present the 20th Anniversary Legislative Briefing of the Hawaiʻi Energy Policy Forum.

Over the course of her career, she has led award-winning public relations and marketing communications for three multinational companies and managed PR agencies in Canada, the US, Korea, and Japan. Her direction in public relations since 2020 emerges as a call to action in the service of a regenerative economy, with a focus on community resilience and renewable energy. Her work has taken her deeply into the essential work of community building in Hawaiʻi, with a commitment to reaching the State’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.

She holds Board roles with the Friends of Hawaiʻi State Art Museum and the Hawaiʻi Book & Music Festival.

Robin Shiroma

HSEO Secretary; Secretary to the Chief Energy Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Robin serves as the secretary to the Chief Energy Officer and is head secretary for the HSEO. She is responsible for providing internal office management and provides support to agency managers and staff.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because there is a myriad of renewable energy resources in Hawai‘i that are plentiful and should be utilized.

Charissa Boniface

Regulatory Assistant

HSEO Role and Responsibilities: To be determined…

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because to be determined…

Catherina Pratt

Fiscal Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Catherina, also known as “Cat” supports the Hawaii State Energy Office as a member of the Operations Team. She supports HSEO’s mission by directing HSEO’s fiscal and accounting functions; assisting HSEO leadership on fiscal matters; facilitating the preparation and presentation of HSEO’s budget; and acting as liaison with departmental and central staff agencies.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because clean energy has fewer harmful environmental impacts than conventional energy. We are already seeing the effects of climate change. It is threatening our health, our communities, our economy, our security, and our children’s future. Energy efficiency is a key step to reducing our impact on climate change and creating a sustainable energy future.

Kathy Yim

Contracts Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Kathy serves as the Contracts Specialist for the Hawai‘i State Energy Office. She facilitates acquisition of internal and external vendors to service HSEO’s program needs. Kathy works directly and coordinates with project managers in the process of producing contracts and agreements to completion. Kathy also serves as HSEO’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator and ensures compliance of all communications and program initiatives under Title II.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because our actions now will provide a sustainable environment for future generations.

Amy Chang

Energy Projects Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Amy is responsible for administering SEO’s procurement of goods and services in its work towards Hawai‘i’s clean energy goals. Recognizing that successful procurement must marry fiscal and ethical accountability with adaptability to complex needs, Amy works with staff to navigate relevant legal frameworks and develop practical contracting solutions.

Amy is a former biomedical engineer who has followed her passion for good governance and happier, healthier communities to a career in public service. She holds a certification in project management and degrees in biology and bioengineering from Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because I believe every person has the right to a clean environment and a healthy, sustainable way of living. Our actions now can protect that right for both present and future generations.

Amanda Lui

Energy Grants Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Amanda develops funding applications and manages the financial aspects of grant awards. Her duties include researching and analyzing funding sources, writing project descriptions and performance measures, monitoring grant spending and performance compliance, and preparing analyses and reports.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because I believe it is our responsibility to protect and preserve Hawai‘i in order to ensure that future generations can enjoy this incredible place we are so lucky to call home.

Māhealani Kaonohi

Fiscal Assistant

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because

Cameron Black

Jobs and Outreach Branch Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Cam leads HSEO’s Jobs and Outreach Branch (JOB) focused on community outreach, workforce development, education, and career pathways in Hawaii’s energy sector. This includes Energize Kakou and HSEO’s innovative Wayfinders program, which places individuals throughout Hawaii who provide information and resources to our communities. JOB also administers HSEO’s workforce programs, such as Good Jobs Hawaii and Hawaii’s Clean Energy Sector Partnership, focused on supporting business needs in the energy sector. Cam is also a member of HSEO’s State Emergency Response Team, the State lead responsible for planning and coordinating responses to energy and/or fuel disruptions impacting Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because Hawai‘i’s high dependence on fossil fuels imported from other countries for electricity and transportation makes us vulnerable to supply interruptions and price fluctuations beyond our control; both of which we’ve experienced recently. Energy use reduction and locally generated renewable energy can empower Hawai‘i residents and businesses and mitigate the ecological and economic impacts attributed to imported fossil fuel use.

Parker Kushima

Outreach and Community Engagement Specialist, Clean Energy Wayfinders Coordinator

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Parker supports the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office’s (HSEO) focus on meaningful community outreach and engagement to ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s transition to 100% renewable energy. His work includes the planning and implementing of programs that help to bridge the gap between community, government, and the energy industry to bring accessible energy conversations to Hawaiʻi’s many diverse communities.

Parker also coordinates the Clean Energy Wayfinders program, a collaborative effort between communities, state and county government, and the energy industry to better address the energy priorities of communities across the state by listening to and learning from the stories of residents, sharing energy information and resources, and helping to prepare community members to make informed decisions about their energy future.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because our state can set an example of an equitable clean energy transition which includes the manaʻo of all residents.

Alana Wilson

Outreach and Community Engagement Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Alana supports the Hawaiʻi State Energy Officeʻs (HSEO) overarching goal to become carbon neutral by 2045 by ensuring that the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻiʻs Article XI for the rights of future generations is delivered. Through Alana’s meaningful outreach and community engagement within the communities of Hawaiʻi and beyond internationally into the Moananuiākea (Oceania) as well as its diasporas, she implements genuine connections with everyone at every level to encourage being equally heard.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because Hawaiʻi deserves to have an environmentally clean and fruitful future where generations to come are able to enjoy the beauty of Hawaiʻi. Mahalo!

Jo Ann Cantu

Energy Training Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because energy is particularly vital to Hawaii due to its geographic location. Due to its dependency on imported fossil fuels, leading to high energy costs and economic vulnerability, transitioning to renewable energy enhances energy security, reduces carbon emissions, protects our beautiful environment, and supports sustainable economic growth. Our state goals for 100% renewable energy by 2045 aim to ensure a stable, resilient energy supply, mitigate climate change impacts, and preserve the natural beauty of our island paradise. 

Eric Sippert

Energy Equity Coordinator

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Eric supports the Hawai‘i State Energy Office’s (HSEO) focus on ensuring that no one is left behind in the state’s transition to 100% renewable energy. Based in the Jobs and Outreach Branch, his work includes developing and implementing the HSEO energy equity program, conducting policy analysis and advocacy, and coordinating with external partners.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because we’ve seen transitions leave behind large groups of people before, often the most vulnerable. Hawai‘i can show what an energy transition looks like that combats inequality and empowers local communities.

Maria Tome

Managing Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Maria is the Managing Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) for the Hawai‘i State Energy Office and manages HESO’s programs to help the state envision, measure, and achieve its targets for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and deep decarbonization (to be carbon negative by 2045). This requires that HSEO staff, working groups, consultants, researchers, project developers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, decision-makers and the public have access to energy information, training, analysis, and understanding appropriate to the island, demographic, project, or technologies being considered at the time. EERE seeks to develop events, documents, information, training, and on-line tools essential to the appropriate siting, evaluation, development, and deployment of energy conservation, efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon reduction projects and programs in and for Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because it doesn’t make sense to ship so much carbon-based fuel to Hawai‘i (from thousands of miles away) and burn it (polluting our atmosphere) when we have our own clean, renewable, cost-effective energy sources right here… and vast “reserves” of energy efficiency.

Gail Suzuki-Jones

Manager, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Gail is the Manager of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) for the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office with a focus on building and business operations and maintenance and Green Business and Green Building technical assistance and training. As a former contract manager of energy code for new construction and benchmarking projects for existing buildings, Gail has over 25 years of experience working for the State of Hawai‘i. She collaborates and partners with other agencies, industry associations, and non-profit organizations to promote and implement energy efficiency and green programs and projects. She feels it is essential to “walk the talk” and “lead by example”.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because we have the opportunity, challenge, and responsibility to leave a legacy that will support and enable future generations to live and thrive in a healthy environment. By working together collaboratively we will support and promote progress in clean energy and our local communities in Hawai‘i.

Howard Wiig

Energy Codes and Standards Program Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Howard’s prime responsibility is promulgating International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) and securing timely adoption by the State Building Code Council and Hawai‘i’s counties. Howard also actively advocates maximizing the efficiency levels at the national IECC hearings and persuades by putting the code into context. The IECC improves in efficiency and is updated every three years.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because as a local boy, I flourished in near-idyllic outdoor settings. As a young man I witnessed wars in the third world and wanton waste in the first world. I made it my life’s mission to help heal Mother Earth. My job fits the bill most excellently.

Alan S. Okimoto

Energy Efficiency Program Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Alan oversees the technical assistance for Energy Performance Contracting program serving as the point of contact for state and county agencies. Alan also is a member of the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards Technical Advisory and Technical Working Groups, State Emergency Response Team for State Emergency Support Function #12 – Energy, Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Working Group, Energy Efficiency in State Buildings project team, U.S. Department of Energy’s Sustainable Corrections Infrastructure Partnership (SCIP) Accelerator Hawaii team, and the Powering Past Coal Task Force. Additionally, Alan administers the State of Hawaiʻi Solar Water Heater Variance Program.

Hawaiʻi’s clean energy future is important to me because of its impact on climate change. We must do everything we can to ensure a clean and healthy planet for future generations.

Michael Schwing

Senior Energy Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities: 
Michael leads HSEO’s implementation of the Home Energy Rebate programs, encompassing the Home Efficiency Rebates and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. The federally funded programs provide low- and moderate-income Hawaiʻi residents with rebates for energy-efficient appliances and other home improvements that can lower energy bills and accelerate the transition to more affordable, efficient, resilient, and low carbon homes.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because it will show future generations what is possible when a community prioritizes the health and well-being of its people and physical environment. 

John Myrdal

Public Facilities Program Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities: 
John serves as Public Facilities Program Manager for the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, serving as a fiscal and program manager on behalf of the HSEO on joint state agency agreements consistent with State budget execution policies and the Department of Accounting and General Services; performing research and analysis of distributed energy programs in other states; administering and responding to tax-related questions; and reviewing Federal funding opportunities for applicability in Hawai‘i. John also supports Hawai‘i’s $8M Volkswagen Mitigation Trust allocation and serves as liaison between the VW trustee and HSEO.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because the cost of energy impacts everyone.

Luke Miller

Energy Economics Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Luke supports the numerous current and potential renewable energy projects throughout the state, ongoing plans to decarbonize Hawai’i, and arising issues such as the re-use & recycling of batteries and solar panels. Luke is also a member of HSEO’s State Emergency Response Team responding to energy disruptions impacting Hawai’i.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because investing in renewable energy in Hawai’i is an investment in our future independence & resilience, rather than an investment in imported carbon-based fuels.

Munashe C. Silverberg

Renewable Energy Analyst

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Munashe C. Silverberg is a Renewable Energy Analyst. She is focused on land based renewable energy projects, evaluating and supporting technical and resource feasibility, appropriate siting, effective permitting, and overall cost effectiveness, while understanding and communicating potential impacts, options, and supply chains. Technologies within her purview include bioenergy, hydropower, photovoltaics, and wind systems as well as hybrid systems (such as agrivoltaics) that combine energy and other outputs.

Munashe graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a double major in Biology and Business Administration with a focus on Energy Management and has an interest in leveraging technology and data driven decision-making to meet United Nations sustainable development goals. 

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because an island chain that both celebrates its culture and accomplishes its clean energy goals can serve as an example to other states and nations, demonstrating that energy independence can be a part of their future too. Right now we all need these hopeful examples

Brian DeSanti

Renewable Energy Specialist – Ocean  

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Brian is an expert in offshore renewable energy and geothermal energy generation. He also helps develop and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and engage with stakeholders.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because Hawai’i has a unique opportunity to be a leader in renewable energy and inspire other island nations and countries around the world.

Rounak Chatterjee

Energy Efficiency Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Ron is a part of HSEO’s Energy Efficiency team within Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) branch. His work is focused on developing energy policy and providing technical assistance related to the state’s commercial and residential buildings sector, including the topic areas of buildings sector decarbonization, new construction building energy codes, and existing buildings energy performance standards. Having served as a mechanical engineer and building performance consultant in his previous roles, Ron is experienced in developing building design strategies to maximize energy efficiency while simultaneously minimizing their operational carbon emissions. His current work at HSEO includes developing detailed project proposals for the State of Hawaiʻi’s building sector funding applications for the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA/BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant programs.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because Pacific island communities are some of the most at-risk areas from the impacts of anthropogenic climate change and our future energy choices have a large influence on the future of these islands. The incredibly unique and fragile ecosystems of Hawaiʻi deserve to be protected for future generations.

Chris Yunker

Managing Director, Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Chris is the Managing Director, Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics (RCA) for the Hawai‘i State Energy Office. The RCA branch is responsible for the design and implementation of the state’s comprehensive energy ecosystem and energy assurance plans related to Hawaii’s integrated utility grids, pipelines, fuels, and infrastructure. Also, under the purview of the RCA branch is devising and deploying statewide clean energy plans and policies, electrification of transportation strategies, increasing renewable penetration at lower costs to ratepayers, and ensuring energy security.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because I want the place my family calls home to be an example of what is possible.

Jon Chin

Manager, Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Jon is the manager of the Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics (RCA) Branch. He leads the HSEO State Emergency Response Team in its role as the primary and coordinating agency for State Emergency Support Function #12 – Energy. Jon also has a focus on programs and projects in energy assurance planning and analysis and the deployment of energy resilience investments.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because developing an energy system using local energy resources improves our overall self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of all hazards.

Nicole H. Cernohorsky

Transportation Energy Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Nicole Cernohorsky is the Transportation Energy Specialist. She is focused on supporting Hawaiʻi State Energy Office’s (HSEO) mission to promote clean transportation to help Hawai‘i transition to a resilient and clean energy economy. Her main focus is on the decarbonization of the transportation sector by exploring and identifying clean transportation solutions for aviation, marine, and surface transportation.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because we all need to move away from fossil fuels. The natural ecosystems on which our (and other) species rely upon will with high certainty collapse if we do not. Thus, a clean energy future should be important to all of us. Hawai‘i may be small and emit only a fraction of the global CO₂ emissions, but it is in a very unique position. The people of Hawai‘i and its leaders understand the threat of climate change and are aware of how Hawai‘i will suffer if we remain dependent on imported fossil fuels. Hawai‘i, due to being relatively wealthy, has been able to start exploring local alternative sources of energy since the 70’s when fossil fuel prices became unstable. The political will matched with the financial means and intensive research is something most other countries and island nations lack. Hawai‘i may be small, but it has the potential to be in the forefront of this movement and could help catalyze the global decarbonization of the energy sector.

Scott Marshall

Energy Analytics Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Scott provides support to HSEO’s various data-driven research projects and data visualization initiatives.

Scott was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He holds an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he was also a kicker on the Rainbow Warrior football team. Prior to moving to Hawaii, he earned an M.S. in Engineering and Technology Management and a B.S. Economics from Colorado School of Mines, where he also played college football. Scott worked as a data scientist within the energy space prior to his full-time employment at HSEO.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because the decisions we make today will shape the experiences of future generations.

Ionatana Tuitasi

Energy Resilience Project Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Tana Tuitasi currently serves as the Energy Resilience Project Specialist managing the Hawai’i Grid Resilience Program. His work supports the administration of Hawai’i’s annual allocation from the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), section 40101(d) – Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric grant program. Tana is also a member of the HSEO State Emergency Response Team for Emergency Support Function #12 – Energy.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because it is crucial to preserve the natural beauty of these islands and protect them from the harmful effects of climate change. In addition, the steps we are taking to accomplish a more secure and cleaner energy economy provide the pathway for many other islands and countries to follow.

Marika Metz-Hall

Administrative Assistant

HSEO Role and Responsibilities: 
As an Administrative Assistant, Marika manages internal office procedures and operations, applies Departmental, State, and Federal procedural guidelines, and is responsible for providing secretarial, administrative, and clerical support to the Energy Program Manager(s), and to the professional staff members as assigned, which relieves them of clerical and administrative details. This is all to support HSEO’s mission to facilitate innovation, investment, and deployment of clean energy infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth, energy innovation sector development, and energy security advancement. 

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because we are susceptible economically to increases in the price of oil and disruptions to supply. Hawai‘i, as islands in the middle of the Pacific, are also vulnerable to rising sea levels, more violent storms and longer droughts.  Our carbon footprint may be small; however, it’s important that we all do our part.

Sage Lang

Volkswagen Settlement Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Sage manages the Volkswagen Settlement Funds by designing and implementing programs based on community input and best practices. The goal of these programs is to efficiently deploy funds to local projects that reduce air pollutants and benefit communities in Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because reducing our collective impact on the planet is crucial to ensuring that Hawai’i’s people, natural spaces, and economy continue to thrive.