sustainability

Honolulu has a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% compared to 2015 levels. The deadline is next year. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports that the city is likely to miss the mark — by a lot. Building efficiency and transportation are the largest target areas for cutting carbon emissions.

Popular measures on energy efficiency and solar permitting died abruptly in their last committees, leading some energy stakeholders to label this session a letdown. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports.

Hawaiʻi stands to receive over $62 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for solar programs. The money comes from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which represents a $27 billion federal investment in reducing carbon emissions and the cost of electric bills across the country.

While Hawaiʻi has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar per capita, multi-family homes face barriers to adoption. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would help condo owners reap the benefits of solar.

The White House hosted an event last week called “Communities in Action: Building a Better Hawaiʻi.” Local elected officials and community leaders from around the U.S. took part. Molokaʻi nonprofit ‘Āina Momona was among the participants. The Conversation talked to Trisha Watson, the organization's vice president, about being involved in a meeting at that level of leadership.

Researchers in Waimānalo are testing fertilizers made of wildfire-prone invasive plant biomass to see if they can grow food just as well as contemporary products, typically made from fossil fuels. The project could lead to cheaper alternatives for local farmers. HPR's Cassie Ordonio takes a closer look.

Jet fuel plays an outsized role in Hawaiʻi's total carbon emissions. Aside from simply flying less — a tough sell to an island state — the primary solution to cut carbon out of air travel could be the development of sustainable aviation fuel. But as HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports, the state has a wait-and-see approach.

After nearly 30 years of grassroots community planning and engagement in East Maui and across the islands, the rural community of Kīpahulu saw its CBSFA signed into law Friday. HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports on the response from those who made it happen.

House Bill 1829 would require that at least 25% of parking stalls be EV charger-ready in any new state building construction.

Stormy weather has downed lines and cut power to a number of Hawaiian Electric customers on O’ahu over the past month. But a series of unfortunate events on Jan. 8 wiped out the utility's reserves, causing rolling blackouts and a call for conservation. It was the first power shortfall event on Oʻahu since 2015. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote checks in on the island's grid reliability.