Transportation Committee Chair Applauds Hawaiian’s Green Efforts

Sen. J. Kalani English, along with Mark Dunkerly, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines and Governor Neil Abercrombie. Photo Courtesy: Alan Texeira, Office of Senator J. Kalani English.

By Wendy Osher

Senate Committee on Transportation Chair J. Kalani English of Maui applauded Hawaiian Airlines for earning the first-ever aviation based carbon credits.

“I congratulate Hawaiian Airlines for being a leader in the aviation industry through this significant achievement in being environmentally friendly,” said Sen. English.

Hawaiian was able to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 22,000 metric tons over the past six years.

The feat was made possible through the use of an innovative, eco-friendly engine washing technology developed by Pratt & Whitney.

Officials say the technology saved the company more than 2.5 million gallons of fuel, in addition to an estimated 26,000 gallons of water that would have been used through traditional washing.

The carbon credit, is a verified means of measuring the reduction of industrial CO2 emissions from the environment; with each credit equal to the removal of  one ton of CO2 from the atmosphere.

“Future generations will definitely benefit from what Hawaiian Airlines is doing today to be earth-friendly,” said Sen. English.