Kauai, HI

Background

Kauai County is the smallest of the four Counties within the State of Hawaii. Decades ago, Kauai’s sugar industry provided the majority of the Island’s electricity through biomass and hydropower generation. As the sugar mills have closed down, Kauai has become increasingly oil dependent and now relies on petroleum for nearly 90% of its electricity generation.

The Kauai Energy Sustainability Plan initiated by County leadership in 2008, sets an ambitious target of 100% local sustainable energy by the year 2030, with strategies for both the electricity and transportation sectors.

Kauai County is working closely with the local utility cooperative, KIUC, to achieve greater energy efficiency and to assist the Cooperative in the development of renewable energy across the Island. Internally, the County is developing an advanced energy management system, retrofitting major facilities, and also raising employee awareness regarding energy use and management. The County has incorporated electric vehicles into its fleet, and has installed photovoltaic systems at several major facilities. The County is currently planning for the capture and use of methane gas from its landfill. All these measures offer immediate benefit to the County in terms of reduced energy use and improved economy. Equally important, they demonstrate leadership’s strong commitment to sustainability, as outlined in Mayor Bernard Carvalho’s Holo Holo 2020 vision.

Kauai welcomes participation in the Better Buildings Challenges as an important step along the path to achieving these important goals.