Key Takeaways
- Climate Hawaiʻi, established in 2022, focuses on advancing sustainable solutions to combat climate change in Hawaiʻi.
- The organization collaborates with local stakeholders and provides resources like carbon emissions calculators to help businesses measure and reduce their impact.
- Climate Hawaiʻi advocates for broader discussions on climate issues, aiming to create consensus and effective policies for sustainability.
Climate Hawaiʻi Aims for Sustainable Change
Climate Hawaiʻi, a nonprofit organization that emerged from the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative’s Climate Coalition in 2022, is dedicated to turning climate awareness into actionable solutions. Rebranded in 2024, the organization is co-founded by Chris Benjamin, former CEO of Alexander & Baldwin, and Chip Fletcher from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, who serves as chair and science adviser, respectively.
Executive Director Jeff Mikulina emphasizes Hawaiʻi’s potential as a global leader in sustainability. The organization has initiated a Climate Pledge, encouraging local entities to conduct carbon inventories, accessible via their website through the “Carbon Emissions Inventory Calculator.” Another valuable resource, the “Decarbonization Toolkit,” launched in 2025, offers tailored strategies for emission reduction.
In 2023, Climate Hawaiʻi supported the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) by testifying at the state Legislature, which ultimately approved $50 million for clean energy initiatives aimed at lower-income households. Governor Josh Green’s establishment of the Hawaiʻi Green Fee Advisory Council in 2025 further underscores the commitment to funding projects that address climate challenges.
The organization has transitioned to facilitating “brave-space conversations” that gather stakeholders to address contentious climate topics, such as shoreline management and utility rate securitization. These discussions aim to promote compromise and effective policy implementation.
Upcoming conversations will focus on sustainable aviation fuel, as aviation accounts for a significant portion of Hawaiʻi’s carbon emissions. Mikulina believes Hawaiʻi’s reliance on jet fuel makes it an ideal setting for developing innovative solutions.
While Hawaiʻi leads the nation in climate action, Mikulina acknowledges the challenge in convincing businesses to prioritize climate solutions amidst immediate concerns like profits and staffing. By framing renewable energy as a cost-saving strategy, it becomes more appealing. For instance, housing projects like Nohona Hale and Kahauiki Village utilize solar panels to reduce electricity costs for residents.
Since its inception, Climate Hawaiʻi has recognized individuals and organizations driving climate action through its annual Climate Leadership Awards. With diminishing federal support for environmental initiatives, the organization stresses the importance of acknowledging successes in sustainability to foster a better future.
Mikulina concludes that proactive approaches in climate action are essential; otherwise, the consequences could be disruptive and costly for families and communities across Hawaiʻi.
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