Free GoEV Molokaʿi Event on Feb. 23

Maui Electric in partnership with the County of Maui, is hosting a free GoEV Molokaʿi event that will give attendees the opportunity to experience and learn about electric vehicles. The GoEV Molokaʿi event takes place on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Molokaʿi Farmers’ Market on Ala Mālama Avenue in Kaunakakai.

Molokaʿi’s first public electric vehicle charger was installed in December in the Kaunakakai town center. PC: Maui Electric Co.

The event will feature a new Nissan Leaf, charging station demonstrations, informational booths, food and prize giveaways. Molokaʿi’s first electric vehicle charging station will be blessed as part of the 9 a.m. opening activities.

“We’re excited to bring to Molokaʿi an event that will give residents and businesses more information about electric vehicles,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui County and Hawai’i Island Utilities. “Not only do electric vehicles provide cost savings for owners, the environmental benefits of reducing emissions are valuable. And as we continue to advance toward a more renewable energy future for Moloka’i and the State of Hawai’i, electrification of transportation will be a key factor in that critical transformation.”

“The GoEV Molokaʿi initiative was funded by a grant through the Office of Economic Development and its purpose was to bring consumer awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles to Molokaʿi,” said Maui Mayor Michael Victorino. “Maui Electric’s generous donation of an electric vehicle to Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. along with a charging station, extends that benefit beyond this awareness campaign to serving more residents on Molokaʿi. We thank Maui Electric for looking to fill a need and contributing to the community’s step towards environmentally friendly mode of transportation.”

The event will commence with the blessing of the island’s first charging station followed by a presentation of an electric vehicle to Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. The car is being donated by Maui Electric Company through the Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation. The donation includes an electric vehicle charging station that will be installed at MEO’s Molokaʿi baseyard. The local nonprofit will use the car to assist with client transportation needs on Moloka’i.

During the event, a new Nissan Leaf vehicle will be on display. They can also learn more about EV fast chargers through charging demonstrations and compare plug-in EVs to the more traditional internal combustion engine vehicles with Maui Electric’s WattPlan for Electric Vehicles, an interactive, online calculator that can help determine any savings that may result from investing in an EV. Door prizes featuring items from Molokaʿi establishments will be given every half hour throughout the day and the first 150 attendees who participate in a brief survey will also receive a free chili bowl.