Hawai’i Capitol District Projects to Save 30% in Energy Costs

By Wendy Osher

Kanaimoku Building, Capitol District Honolulu. Photo courtesy State of Hawai'i, DBEDT.

The State Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) has completed the installation of more than 1,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Kalanimoku Building in the downtown Honolulu Capital District.

The project is part of the State’s ongoing effort to reduce dependence on imported oil.

So far, the system is saving the state $300 per day, or 12 percent of the building’s energy use.

The building is one of 10 in the Capitol District that are undergoing energy-saving projects.  The others are 80 percent complete and are slated for completion in September.

Combined, the Capitol District projects are expected to save the State 30 percent in utility costs.

“The Kalanimoku Building is a great example of how best to use clean energy to reduce our use of imported oil, keep the money we would have spent on oil in our economy, and save taxpayer dollars,” said Richard Lim, DBEDT Director.

“The Capital District includes other examples of being green and I am confident that we’re moving closer towards our goal of 70 percent clean energy for Hawai’i,” said Lim.

The Kalanimoku Building PV project was made possible by $2.97 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy through DBEDT’s Energy Office.

The State’s goal is to reach 70% clean energy by 2030.