As local, national and international communities navigate a changing energy landscape, the 12th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference will bring together industry leaders to offer solutions addressing the most pressing energy challenges of today. With a theme of “Offering Solutions” the conference presented by the Maui Economic Development Board, with support of County of Maui, will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center from May 21-22.

The Honorable Josh Green, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawaii, will deliver the opening Keynote sharing his vision for Hawaii’s energy future and spotlighting the state’s leadership in the clean energy transition. The program features ten dynamic panels, one deep dive session, featured presentations and ample time for networking with breaks and an exhibit venue.

One topic on the program expected to draw attention is titled “Why not Nuclear.” Michael Colón, Director, Energy Sector, Ulupono Initiative will moderate this session with panelists Marcus Nichol, Executive Director, New Nuclear – Nuclear Energy Institute; Madison Schroder, Policy Coordinator, Generation Atomic; and Jack Shriver, Sr. Program Manager, Indo-Pacific Region – POWER Engineers.

 “Our panel will explore the hypothetical role of nuclear energy in Hawaii’s transition to a sustainable energy future,” says Colón. “As Hawaii strives to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets, it’s crucial to consider all viable options. This panel offers a unique opportunity to understand the potential benefits and challenges in a hypothetical scenario in which integrating nuclear energy into Hawaii’s energy mix is a possibility. Attendees will gain perspective on how nuclear power could play a role in achieving a resilient and sustainable energy system.”

 Colón stressed that the panel was not to be construed as an endorsement or advocacy for nuclear energy. “We are not selling nuclear,” he said. “We acknowledge the current legal prohibitions on nuclear power in Hawaii as well as the considerable concerns surrounding the technology. Our panel aims to foster an open dialogue about the state’s energy future, considering how advancements in nuclear technology might align with Hawaii’s environmental values and energy needs. By examining case studies and regulatory frameworks from other regions, we hope to inform discussions on broader energy policy considerations for the state.”

Jonathan Koehn, a founding member of the HEC Program Committee and Chief Sustainability & Resilience Officer, City of Boulder, will moderate a panel titled “Power and Fire: How Utilities are Confronting the Growing Wildfire Threat.” Mathew McNeff, Director of Maui County, Hawaiian Electric; Brad Rockwell, Chief of Operations, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative; and Caroline Thomas Jacobs, Director of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, State of California will explore how utilities are adapting, from grid hardening and undergrounding to advanced monitoring and AI-driven risk management.

“Wildfire risk is no longer a seasonal concern—it’s a year-round, system-wide challenge,” says Koehn. “In this panel, we’ll dig into how utilities are rising to meet that challenge with innovative technologies, regulatory strategies, and on-the-ground experience. I’m looking forward to a candid conversation with leaders from Hawaii and California about what’s working, what’s evolving, and what’s at stake.”

Other panel topics are:

Repowering & Resilience – Hawaii’s first-in-the-nation 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard and ambitious climate goals from Act 238 are dependent on a reliable electrical grid and a push by the State to make energy more affordable.  What are the gaps and how should we prioritize next steps to meet these policy objectives?

Community Energy Priorities – A catch up on recent events and projects, and discussion on lessons learned to date about community priorities for energy.

Utility Scale Solar – From tariffs to supply chain to credit risks, how can large PV projects find solutions to unexpected challenges and stay on track?

Unlocking the Value of Grid Service and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) – Customer-sited distributed energy resources (DERs) are transforming the grid by providing essential services that enhance reliability, resilience, and affordability. This panel will explore how grid services and VPPs have been successfully implemented in leading jurisdictions, including Hawaii’s Battery Bonus program, Massachusetts’ Connected Solutions, and Puerto Rico’s emerging VPP initiatives.

Unlocking Capital for Infrastructure with Usage-Based Funding – Hawai’i’s essential infrastructure is the foundation of economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. These critical assets, from energy and water systems to transportation and housing, are vital to meeting the state’s evolving needs. However, limited access to capital has delayed maintenance, slowed expansion, and hindered progress – putting essential infrastructure at risk.

Energy Efficiency – With average monthly electricity use already lower than most States, what are the best remaining areas to reduce electricity use?

Powering the Future – Battery Storage, Safety & Building A Strong Workforce – Licensing requirements for PV work with batteries are already in place in many areas. What are these requirements and are they fair to PV installers? What programs are in place in Hawaii to train safe battery installation?

Updates on Local PV Industry – The latest news on the new Bring-Your-Own-Device rule from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

Attendees will also be able to hear local perspective on energy with featured presentations from Carmen Hulu Lindsey, Maui Trustee with Office of Hawaiian Affairs and from Makai Freitas, Commissioner of Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

Dr. Ahmad Faruqui, Economist-at-Large

The Hawaii Energy Conference brings together experts and thought leaders to explore the latest advancements shaping the energy landscape. The cross-section of attendees includes renewable energy industry professionals; developers and contractors interested in microgrids and off-grid; workforce development experts and organized labor representatives; those interested in the intersection between energy and housing; climate and energy policymakers and regulators; entrepreneurs and innovators; and environmentalists and sustainability advocates.

The Hawaii Energy Conference is grateful for the support of 2025 sponsors: Ulupono Initiative, HNEI, Moss & Associates, Hawaii Energy/Leidos, Hawaiian Electric, IBEW Local Union 1186, Island Energy Services, Johnson Controls, Par Hawaii, TerraForm Power, Aeroseal, AES Hawaii, Ameresco, Bitzer, Generac, Hawaii Gas, JM Distributed, Kuaui Island Utility Cooperative, NovaTech Automation, Pacific Panel Cleaners, POWER Engineers, RevoluSun, and Trio Energy Alliance.

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 opportunities for our residents. Through partnerships with the public and private sector, MEDB undertakes projects that assist 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.

The 12th Hawaii Energy Conference (HEC) will convene on Maui May 21-22 with an overall theme of “Offering Solutions.” As local, national and international communities navigate a changing energy landscape, the event will bring together industry leaders to offer solutions addressing the most pressing energy challenges of today.

Presented by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the conference will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, case studies and an exhibit venue. The program will cover topics ranging from utility-scale renewable energy deployment to community-based initiatives, and the economics and advancements of grid independence. Discussions will also tackle energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, job creation, training, and more.

Jacqui Hoover presenting at the Hawaii Energy Conference

“The problems seem clear.” added Doug McLeod, a founding member of the HEC Program Committee. “Billions are needed to make the electrical grid safer, but Hawaii customers are already paying the highest rate in the US for electricity; the largest utility in the state has a credit rating too low to be considered investment grade, and there is considerable resistance to all new wind projects. Our speakers are there to offer insight and solutions for these very real problems.”

This year the conference introduces two Deep Dive sessions. Complementing the main stage discussions, these sessions will provide an intimate setting for up to 40 participants to engage directly with experts and explore complex issues like time-of-use rates and sustainable financing strategies.

“The deep dives offer an alternative to the main stage presentation that is expected to be more technical in nature.” said McLeod. “The first Deep Dive will explore Time of Use (TOU) rates led by former Hawaii Public Utilities Commissioner Jennifer Potter and Dr. Ahmad Faruqui from California. We will view the session a success if we can help answer questions like “Is there a way to design a TOU rate structure for a place like Hawaii with lots of daytime solar that does not penalize people who have to work outside the home during the day?”

The Hawaii Energy Conference offers networking and exhibiting opportunities to connect with key stakeholders, industry experts, innovators, policymakers and more. Attendees will be able to gain insights, share ideas, and collaborate on actionable solutions to building a sustainable future for Hawaii and beyond.

The exhibit venue offers opportunities to network with energy professionals

The HEC is supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and brings together experts and thought leaders to connect and explore the latest advancements shaping the energy landscape world-wide. The Conference expects to draw participation from Hawaii, the Continental U.S., Asia-Pacific, and more.

Registration is now open with early bird rates available until March 31.

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 opportunities for our residents. Through partnerships with the public and private sector, MEDB undertakes projects that assist 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.