LED Switch at Pacific Whale Foundation to Save $50,000

By Wendy Osher

Pacific Whale Foundation employee Tara McBarnett replaces an old halogen bulbs with a new energy efficient LED light bulbs at Pacific Whael Foundation's Ocean Store in Ma'alaea.

The Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui has made an energy saving move by switching 246 conventional lights to energy-efficient LED lighting.  The changes were made at its offices and Ocean Stores in Ma’alaea and Lahaina.

The move is expected to cut the organization’s energy use by more than 15,000 kwh per year, and prevent nearly 25,000 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere annually.

The LED bulbs were provided free to Pacific Whale Foundation through the state’s Hawaii Energy “Lighting the Future” program.  The program works to encourage energy conservation and efficiency measures.  The projects under the program are aimed at reducing Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil.

Hawaii Energy selected Toshiba as its partner in providing this LED offering to qualifying Hawaii small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

According to Hawaii Energy, LED light bulbs reduce lighting electricity costs by up to 75 percent. The energy savings per year for each halogen bulb replaced by an LED bulb, is estimated at up to $78.

Photo courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation.

Pacific Whale Foundation expects to save about $50,000 per year with the new lights. “It’s a win-win for the environment and for Pacific Whale Foundation,” said Tapani Vuori, Regional Manager and Retail Buyer at Pacific Whale Foundation. “Because our Ocean Stores raise money for our research, education and conservation programs, this cost reduction step should equate to greater funds for these programs.”

“As an organization, Pacific Whale Foundation is always looking for ways to become greener and more energy efficient,” said Greg Kaufman, President of Pacific Whale Foundation.

Pacific Whale Foundation won the “Investing in the Environment” Award from Island Business Magazine in 1988, for its many eco-friendly innovations and practices.

“Our corporate culture encourages staff to step forward with their conservation and energy saving ideas,” said Kaufman. “Tapani Vuori spearheaded the move to the LED lights. Other staff have helped us find other ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Being more eco-friendly is an extremely important focus at Pacific Whale Foundation.”

*** Supporting information courtesy the Pacific Whale Foundation.