Hawai‘i Energy Joins Nation in Commemorating October as Energy Awareness Month

So far this year, Hawaii families and businesses saved more than $21 million through energy efficiency

O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I – Hawai‘i Energy joins the national effort to spotlight the vital importance of improving energy efficiency and conservation by commemorating October as National Energy Awareness Month, a time to once again urge the people of Hawai‘i and this nation to take further steps to save energy and develop habits needed to reduce energy use each day.

The state of Hawai‘i is a vanguard in this effort as it has established the Clean Energy Initiative which sets the goal of achieving 100% clean energy use by 2045. So far in 2016, Hawai‘i Energy has saved customersin Hawai‘i, Honolulu and Maui Counties $21,373,470 on their electric bills.

“We can all make a difference in our daily lives. Most families want to do the right thing. But sometimes, it’s just a matter of having a clear understanding of how to make smart energy choices,” said Brian Kealoha, Hawai’i Energy Executive Director. “On a personal level, people understand that developing good habits helps lower their energy bill. But on a larger scale, since we are an island state and our economy is dependent on our visitor industry, protecting our environment and our natural resources must be a top priority, particularly when we look at the effects of climate change around the globe. Energy Awareness Month helps our island community realize that there’s more at stake than just reaching our 100% clean energy goal.”

In conjunction with October being celebrated as Energy Awareness Month, Governor David Ige has proclaimed Wednesday, October 5, 2016, as Energy Efficiency Day in Hawai‘i. While developing renewable energy sources is critical for Hawai‘i to reach its clean energy goals, they can only be achieved by increasing energy savings.