We had so much to talk about as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hawaii Energy Conference. Finally back live and in person at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center May 24-25, 2023.
- Is getting to 100 % Renewables still desirable, still doable, still worth the price?
- How can we get clean energy projects permitted, interconnected, and operational in a reasonable period of time?
- What is the next step in our efforts toward decarbonized energy, and what role does hydrogen play?
- What are the energy related priorities of the Hawai’i Legislature and the Governor?
- What is Energy Equity and how do we achieve it in the pursuit of state energy goals such as 100% renewables and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions?
- ….and more
(please note that final topics are subject to change by the Program Committee)
The first conference was held in 2014 to explore the challenges and opportunities in our nation’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Participation has grown from 281 participants the first year to 413 in 2019. In 2020 the conference went virtual due to COVID-19 extending our reach and increasing attendance to 649.
With the return to an in-person event, the exhibit hall will showcase sponsoring organizations.
The Hawaii Energy Conference (HEC) brings together experts on energy policy, strategies, leadership and innovation. Energy leaders from Hawaii, the Continental U.S., Asia-Pacific and more exchange ideas on how to better serve our communities in today’s rapidly changing power generation and delivery environment.
Past Conference Topics
2022 | Electrification: Where are we now? What does the future hold?
2021 | The Energy Transition in Hawaii: Focus on investments in people and projects
2020 | Imagining a Just Recovery. What would that look like for the grid? (Virtual)
2019 | Innovation in Practice
2018 | Decarbonization: A Business Opportunity for Innovative Communities
2017 | All Things Energy: Pursuing New Opportunities for Electricity and Beyond
2016 | 100% Renewable Energy in Hawaii: It’s No Longer A Matter of When
2015 | A Focus on the Customer
2014 | Electric Utilities: The Future Is Not What It Used to Be
Meet the Program Committee
Colton Ching | Senior Vice President, Planning & Technology, Hawaiian Electric
Celeste Connors| Executive Director, Hawaii Green Growth
Jacqui Hoover | Chair, Conference Program Committee; Executive Director and COO Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB); and President Hawaii Leeward Planning
Jonathan Koehn | Chief Sustainability & Resilience Officer, City of Boulder
Doug McLeod |Member, DKK Energy Services, LLC
Robert “Rocky” Mould | Executive Director, Hawaii Solar Energy Association
Maria Tome | Managing Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Hawaii State Energy Office
Stephany Vaioleti | Community Engagement Navigator, Hawaii Energy
Wren Wescoatt | Director of Development, Hawaii Longroad Energy
Jennifer Zelko-Schlueter | Director, Government and Community Relations, Hawaiian Electric
Video Summary
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1982 with a mission to diversify Maui County’s economy, building pathways to innovation, jobs and opportunity for our residents. Through partnerships with the public and private sector, MEDB undertakes projects that assists growth industries with navigating and thriving in our county, educates and trains residents for new careers, and engages our community in forums that determine future economic directions.