MEDB Wants Community Input on Maui’s Energy Future

Solar PV panels, installed on a Kula home, are highlighted in the last rays of sunset. Photo by Anne Rillero.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Economic Development Board wants volunteers from the community to share their current and future priorities and values about energy on Maui as part of a project called “MPowerMaui: An Energy Conversation.”

The public is encouraged to sign up and participate in small group sessions that will be held during February. The 90-minute sessions are designed to be engaging, interesting and informative.

“MPowerMaui features the interactive kind of format used in the Focus Maui Nui visioning process that produced lively discussions and thoughtful responses from our community,” said Jeanne Skog, MEDB president and CEO. “Activities will enable participants to learn more about energy, to think about their own actions related to energy, to prioritize issues, to consider what actions they would or would not support, and to develop messages for decision makers.”

Those interested in participating may either host a session at their company or organization by bringing together 12 to 15 individuals; an MEDB representative will run the session. Individuals can also sign up for a session organized by MEDB.

The results of these MPowerMaui conversations will be presented at the Maui Energy Conference on March 25 and 26, 2015.

“This opportunity for public conversation is critical as it can have an impact on the future of our island,” said Skog. “By joining in this conversation, participants will be helping to bring the public’s voice to the table in front of decision makers and community stakeholders as actions are determined to create a ‘green’ energy future for Maui.”

The MPowerMaui project is presented by the Maui Economic Development Board with sponsorship from the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development; State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) Energy Office; and the UH Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI).

To sign up to participate, call 875-2336.

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