“Sure, it’s an audacious goal, but one we believe is possible—if we choose to pull together and commit our political, technological, and social resources to making it happen.”  — Henk Rogers
 

Our Story

Hawaii's current situation:

Hawai'i is the most dependent state in the nation on imported oil. Some 50 million barrels are imported annually, nearly 80% of which originate from foreign sources. In addition, over 805,000 tons of coal are imported into our state. These sources provide power for over 92% of Hawaii‟s electricity generation. The combustion of these resources also contributes over 23 million tons of climate changing greenhouse gas into our atmosphere annually. Hawaii's economic, environmental, and energy security demand that we reduce the amount of fossil fuel imported and consumed in Hawai'i.

We believe that Hawaii can become a role model to the globe for clean energy solutions.

By that we mean solutions that are appropriate to place and have minimum impact on the environment. For Hawai‘i, that means the maximum use of decentralized, solar energy—both solar water heaters and photovoltaic, or solar electric panels. It means putting wind turbines where it is appropriate. It means tapping into the power of the ocean, both through wave energy and ocean thermal energy conversion. It also means using appropriate biofuels—such as that produced from indigenous algae—as an interim fuel for vehicles and airplanes. Of course, the first order of business is to make sure that we use energy as efficiently as possible with high energy efficient lights and appliances, high performance green buildings, smart community design, and common sense conservation.

Hawai‘i has a proud tradition of pulling together when the stakes are high—and the stakes couldn’t be higher for our islands with the threat of climate change and the unstable price of oil. A movement of people united by shared values and vision can be unstoppable. That’s the force Hawai‘i needs to shake free from fossil fuel. Blue Planet is working to build that clean energy movement with tens of thousands of people in Hawaii.


Here is a taste of what we've done so far:

• Helped to enact key new clean energy policies: HB 1464 (40% of Hawaii's electricity from clean sources by 2030); SB 1202 (Electric vehicle incentives); SB 1260 (removing fossil fuel loophole); SB 464 (clean energy investment); HB 1270 (removing clean energy cost cap); and others.
• Directly engaged over 300 individuals in the legislative policy process.
• Successfully executed legislative marketing efforts, including a full-page newspaper ad featuring Governor Lingle, Congresswoman Hirono, Congressman Abercrombie, Jack Johnson, and many others.
• Intervened as a party in four Public Utilities Commission dockets; bringing together intervener parties and bringing expert witnesses to testify.
• Hosted successful public events with thousands of participants, including a rally at State Capitol with Governor Lingle speaking, Henry Kapono performing (solar powered), and significant student presence; Clean Energy Day at UH, and the Hawaii Powered festival at Aloha Tower.
• Sent three University of Hawai‘i students to Washington, D.C. for Powershift09 and successfully engaged them as volunteers and advocates.
• Gave over 40 presentations reaching over 4000 individuals; received feedback from hundreds.
• Distributed 3250 tire pressure gauges through nine tabling events.
• Conducted door-to-door student canvass on O‘ahu reaching thousands of residents with residential energy efficiency information.
• Distributed nearly 5000 compact fluorescent lightbulbs to residents O‘ahu-wide.
• Conducted successful “Energy Solutions Summit” with over 30 expert participants
• Installed 10 solar water heaters with strategic partner, offsetting 500 barrels of oil over system life.
• Brought in $27,000 federal money to Hawaii's rural businesses for clean energy projects.