Hawaii Clean Energy Day / Hawaii Clean Energy Day came to life last Saturday at the University of Hawaii –Manoa’s Kennedy Theatre. The event was the work of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), a partnership of the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy. HCEI promotes clean and renewable energy sources as well as greater-efficiency technologies in an effort to wean Hawaii off its dependence on foreign fossil fuels.

Hawaii depends on foreign oil for a large majority of its energy needs, which results in the loss of hundreds of millions–if not billions–of dollars every year from the local economy. HCEI has set a goal that 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy needs will be covered by renewable sources and increased efficiency technology by the year 2030.

Saturday’s event was highlighted with an address from former Assistant Secretary of Energy Christine Ervin. Breakout sessions included speakers from local government, agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations covering a variety of issues. Issues discussed covered the promotion, creation and sustainability of viable renewable energies for the state of Hawaii, both now and in the future. Much of the discussion focused on how leadership in the public and private sector must work to encourage the growth of the renewable energy sector for the good of our local environment and economy.

Ervin, who was president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council for five years beginning in 1999, addressed the promise of green energy in our economy while making known the need for fundamental changes in how we operate. While the world’s consumption levels continue to rise, and the ability to meet the demand declines, Ervin noted that we will be forced more and more into an expensive, non-sustainable economic funnel.

She posited that green and renewable sources of energy can provide a way to open up that funnel and allow for great opportunities economically for whomever leads the way in these technologies. With green energy and building sectors forecasted for massive economic growth in the coming decade, Ervin stressed the urgency of early and active public sector involvement while it’s still possible.

The exhibition hall, unlike the speaking session, was open to the public free of charge and consisted of businesses, schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies. The 40 exhibitors including The Blue Planet Foundation, Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaii Pedal Power, HECO, Weston Solutions and many more. Each exhibit included information on the green initiatives they are promoting and some of the cutting edge technologies and techniques that they bring to the table. In addition to information some exhibitors offered prizes, won via a raffle, which ranged from T-shirts to new solar water heater systems.

Found on YouTube–Juan Enriquez: Why can’t we grow new energy?

From the TED conference in 2007: Juan Enriquez challenges our definition of bioenergy. Oil, coal, gas and other hydrocarbons are not chemical but biological products, based on plant matter — and thus, growable. Our whole approach to fuel, he argues, needs to change.