October 12, 2026, 1:00 PM HST
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Maui residents and others across Hawai‘i can learn about energy issues and the state’s electricity future through a new online education series beginning Oct. 22.
The Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum’s “Power Up” series will cover combining solar-energy production with agriculture, preparing electrical grids for disasters and the debate over liquefied natural gas. Four sessions are scheduled through December, each on a Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.
Organizers say the series aims to help residents better understand energy issues and participate in policy discussions.
“Affordable energy is a top concern for everyone in Hawai‘i, and each of us has a stake in the future energy direction for our state,” said Richard Rocheleau, Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute director. “Knowledge is power. We’re making energy literacy a priority and empowering Hawai‘i residents so that they can actively participate in energy decisions.”
The opening session, “Agrivoltaics: Can the Same Land Feed and Power Hawai‘i?” will examine the use of land for both solar-energy production and farming or livestock grazing. Potter will present findings and recommendations from a statewide feasibility study, including potential benefits for food production and electricity costs, as well as challenges to using the approach in Hawai‘i.
Jennifer Potter, Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute energy specialist and former commissioner with the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission, will present the study’s key findings and recommendations—and what they could mean for Hawaiʻi’s future.
A two-part discussion Nov. 5 and 19, “Disaster Resilience: Keeping the Power On,” will focus on the electrical grid and disaster preparedness. The first session will examine electricity generation, transmission and distribution, and whether grids are prepared for severe storms. The second will explore steps to improve preparedness. Electric utility leaders and other participants will discuss efforts to reduce vulnerabilities, improve reliability and restore power after outages.
The Dec. 3 session, “Is Liquefied Natural Gas the Right Pathway for Hawai‘i?” will examine competing arguments over the fuel’s potential role. Supporters argue LNG could help lower electricity costs, while opponents question the expense of new infrastructure and its implications for the state’s clean-energy goals.
Registration is available at https://hepfpowerup.com/.
Founded in 2003, the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum brings together representatives from utilities, fuel suppliers, renewable-energy developers, environmental and community organizations, academia and government. It is part of the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
