ABOUT HSEO

Mark B. Glick

Chief Energy Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Mark Glick 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.

Kirsten Baumgart Turner

Deputy Energy Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
As the Deputy Energy Officer, Kirsten assists the Chief Energy Officer in the overall administration of the Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO) including integrating the broader carbon- free economy mandate under Act 122 into policies, strategies, plans, and program development, with an emphasis on job creation as part of the state’s economic recovery program due to the COVID-19 crisis. To that end, she helps develop and coordinate energy sector and public engagement to further the mission of the Energy Office to promote energy security, energy efficiencies, renewable energy, and clean transportation to achieve a resilient clean energy economy.

Hawai‘i’s clean energy future is important to me because we can be the model that ensures our children’s and grandchildren’s future in a more just and peaceful world.

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.

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.

Donna L. Mau

Managing Director, Operations

HSEO Role and Responsibilities: 
Donna is the Managing Director of Operations for the Hawai‘i State Energy Office. She administers the budget; manages fiscal activities; directs procurement and contracting activities; and manages federal grants/cooperative agreements for HSEO.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because future generations deserve to have a healthy environment.

Claudia Rapkoch

Public Affairs Officer

HSEO Role and Responsibilities: 
Claudia supports HSEO’s mission through the planning and execution of HSEO’s public information and community engagement programs. She is also the agency’s primary spokesperson.

Claudia is a former reporter with more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications; public, stakeholder, and media relations; issues and reputation management; advertising, sponsorship, and brand management; and digital communications. She holds an accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America and certifications in human resources, change management, and lean six sigma. 

She grew up in Colorado and Hawai‘i and holds a degree in Technical Journalism from Colorado State University and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Montana. 

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because the quality of life and health of future generations depends on the decisions we make today.

Gail Suzuki-Jones

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Program Manager

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.

Cameron Black

Renewable Projects Program Manager

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Cam supports the collaborative evaluation of proposed renewable energy projects and programs in Hawai‘i and their deployment once the necessary vetting processes are complete. His efforts focus on encouraging the appropriate siting and permitting of renewable energy projects, informing project due diligence, and supporting public decision-making. Cam is also a member of HSEO’s State Emergency Response Team, which is 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Denise Fenn Garrahan

Accounting Assistant

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Denise supports the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO) as a member of the Operations Team. She focuses on the fiscal reporting, procurement, inventory of state property, and special projects by working closely with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), Administrative Services Office. Denise enables the staff to concentrate on subject matter while handling the daily fiscal-cash management, invoicing payments, and tracking all expenses. Denise guides staff in compliance of policies and procedures set by the DBEDT-Administrative Services Office, the State Comptroller’s Office, the State Ethics Commission, and the State Procurement Office when coordinating arrangements for meetings and conferences; and in procurement of travel, supplies, and equipment.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because Hawai‘i is a perfect model for all nations to see it is possible to be environmentally and climate conscious by reducing the need of fossil fuels and producing 100% of our energy needs from clean renewable sources.

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.

Kiana Otsuka

Vehicle Miles Traveled and Active Transportation Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Kiana Otsuka is the Vehicle Miles Traveled and Active Transportation Specialist. In her current role, she is focused on reducing vehicle miles traveled in all of Hawai‘i through expanding transportation choices and reducing transportation costs.

Hawai‘i‘s clean energy future is important to me because I am passionate about working toward land-use and transportation changes, so that all or many of people’s daily needs can be done by walking, rolling, riding a bike, or taking transit. I hope through my work I will provide safer, more convenient, and enjoyable transportation choices to help Hawai‘i residents save money, time, and achieve better health outcomes, and help Hawaiʻi meet its climate and clean energy goals in a resilient and equitable manner.

Monique Schafer

Renewable Energy Project Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Monique supports HSEO’s efforts to analyze, communicate, and engage with organizations, experts, communities, permitting agencies, regulators, project developers, decision-makers, task forces, the public, and others regarding siting, sizing, financing, bidding, permitting, and interconnecting renewable, microgrid, and other energy projects in Hawai‘i. Specifically, Monique helps to improve processes to appropriately site, efficiently permit, and successfully complete renewable energy projects statewide. Monique also oversees the Statewide Energy Project Directory, a GIS database highlighting energy projects throughout the state.

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.

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.

Alan S. Okimoto

Energy Projects Facilitation 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.

Jon Chin

Energy Assurance Specialist

HSEO Role and Responsibilities:
Jon leads the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office’s (HSEO)’s State Emergency Response Team in its role as primary and coordinating agency for State Emergency Support Function #12 – Energy. Jon also oversees 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.

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.

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.

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.