Hawai‘i Energy Awards Over $1,000,000 in Energy Relief Grants To 251 Local Nonprofits and Small Businesses

Hawaiʻi Energy awarded over $1,000,000 in funding to 251 nonprofits and small businesses in Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi counties through its Energy Relief Grant program. 40 businesses in Maui County were awarded up to $25,000 grants.

The Hawaiʻi Energy program was launched in August 2020 to help fund energy efficiency improvements for nonprofits, small businesses and other qualifying organizations experiencing economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognize the hardships that many local businesses and nonprofits are facing during these unprecedented times,” said Brian Kealoha, executive director of Hawaiʻi Energy. “With the funds provided through the Energy Relief Grant program, business owners will have the resources to reduce energy costs by $2,800 annually, on average, and pivot these savings to other business costs. I am excited to share that everyone who applied for a grant received at least a portion of the funding they requested. Additionally, many contractors are small businesses too, so this grant also helps generate business for them to keep them afloat during this tumultuous time.  It is one of the reasons Hawai‘i is one of the few states that saw clean energy job growth during the pandemic.”

Energy Relief Grants were awarded in two rounds and each recipient was awarded up to $25,000 in grants. Businesses may use the funding to cover eligible energy efficiency projects including, but not limited to, upgrades to inefficient air conditioning units, lighting retrofits, commercial kitchen equipment and solar water heaters. The funding may also be used to cover eligible expenses for the projects, such as parts, accessories, and other materials necessary for installation, labor for removal of equipment, site preparations and installation, and shipping costs.

“We are very appreciative of Hawaiʻi Energy’s assistance in getting us fitted with LEDs. This was planned from 2009 when our lab was under construction,” said Blake Vance, assistant director of Hawaii Agriculture Research Center. “However, cost overruns, change orders, and just the cost of LEDs at that time prevented us from installing them. Now that this milestone has been reached, these savings will help us to fulfill our mission of supporting a viable agricultural sector in Hawai‘i.”

“We had to close our shops during the two stay-at-home orders and even when open, our sales have been down,” said Chris Chan, owner of Jewel or Juice. “We’re very thankful that Hawai’i Energy awarded the Energy Relief Grant to our business during this difficult time. It means a lot to us. This has helped us to keep our business stay open and continue to provide jobs for our employees.”

Energy Relief Grants were awarded to 165 businesses on Oʻahu, 31 businesses in Maui County and 55 businesses on Hawaiʻi Island. The list of grant recipients includes the following:

• Ackerman Galleries LLC (King’s View Café)
• Ahualoa Farms
• Bay Clinic
• Berj Corporation (My Bar)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii
• Big Island Brewhaus
• Boys and Girls Club
• Bridge House
• Calvary Community Church of Kona
• Cathedral of St. Andrew
• CFS Real Property
• Children’s Discovery Center
• Christine’s Deli
• Counter Culture (Farm Link Hawaii)
• Edward Enterprises
• EPIC Foundation
• Ewa Pointe Chinese Restaurant
• Fresh Island Fish Co., Inc.
• Ginoza Realty
• Girl Scouts of Hawaii
• Goodwill Industries
• H & L Terada Farm
• Harmoni Foods LLC
• Hawai’I Dental Group Kona
• Hawaii Agriculture Research Center
• Haynes Publishing Group, Inc.
• He Ala Hou O Ke Ola Inc. (HAHOKO)
• Hilo Beach House LLC
• Hilo Farmer’s Market
• Hilo Food Hub – Refrigeration
• Hilo Garden
• Hilo Lunch Shop
• Honokaa Country Market
• Honolulu Theatre for Youth
• Hub Coworking Hawai’i
• Hui Malama O Ke Kai
• Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi
• Island Breeze
• Junmar LLC
• Kahumana Organic Farms
• Kalihi-Moanalua Church
• Kamanu Composites
• Kamoi Snack n Go
• Kanu o Ka Aina
• KEY Project
• Kokua Market
• Kunia Village
• Laupahoehoe Church
• Makiki Christian Church
• Malama Na Makua A Keiki
• Manoa Valley Theater
• Maui Community Theater (Maui OnStage)
• Maui Food Bank
• Maui Upcountry Jams and Jellies
• Mcdonough LLC (Juice 101)
• Molokai Drugs
• Morning Glass Coffee
• My Hawaii Hostel
• Na Kuhio Ike
• Omiyage Market
• Paradise Flooring
• Parker School
• Pearl City Community Church
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
• Pineridge Farms Inc.
• Plant Research Corp
• Puu O Hoku Ranch
• Rehab Hospital of the Pacific
• Sacred Hearts School
• Sakoda Rock Holdings
• Salvation Army
• Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services
• Salvation Army Kaneohe
• Salvation Army Kona Corps
• St. Anthony School
• St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
• St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
• Tea-licious Café
• The Locavore Store
• Tin Shack Bakery
• Tropical J’s
• Waikiki Community Center
• Wailea Inn
• Warehouse Solutions LLC
• Yoya World Corp (Jewel or Juice)