GREENHAWAIICOM's Blog (105)

The State of Hawaii Department of Taxation (“DOT”) recently issued temporary administrative rules that will affect anyone planning on installing and placing in service a renewable energy technology system, including a photovoltaic system, on or after January 1, 2013. The new rules expand on what constitutes a “system” for purposes of claiming…

State regulators have approved a multiyear contract for Maui-based Pacific Biodiesel to supply Hawaiian Electric Co. with 250,000 gallons a year of locally produced biodiesel.

The green fuel - made by recycling used cooking oil from Hawaii restaurants - will be used to power a new, $20 million backup plant HECO is building at the Honolulu International…

Marine zoning in the Pacific Ocean, in combination with other measures, could significantly improve dwindling numbers of heavily overfished bigeye tuna and improve local economies, a fish modelling study has found.



Scientists working at the University of Hawaii, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and…

Call it Hawaii’s most unusual export.

For years, the vast majority of calves born in Hawaii have been sent to feed lots on the mainland, where they matured, and then were slaughtered and shipped to grocery stores and restaurants around the country. Rarely did the beef return to Hawaii.

But demand for locally grown food and grass-fed beef has prompted a new program aimed…

Construction on Hu Honua Bioenergy’s 21.5-megawatt biomass facility on the Big Island has begun and should be completed this time next year, according to company CEO John Sylvia.

“Shortly after that [the plant will be] online,” he told PBN.

Hu…

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has hired Washington-based Boston Pacific Co. to monitor Hawaii Electric Light Co.'s bidding process for 50 megawatts of geothermal energy on the Big…

House lawmakers will hold an informational briefing on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 9 a.m., to discuss food safety as it concerns and relates to farmers, wholesalers, and retailers in…

Helemano Farms, local grower of thousands of Christmas Trees in Central Oahu, is open for the holidays and selling thick, evergreen Leyland Cypress Christmas trees as well as traditional and gorgeous Norfolk Pines.

Helemano Farms LLC is a family business, which started in 2002 as a retirement project of Hawaii agriculture…

Organizers today announced a partial list of the speakers secured for the 2nd Annual TEDxMaui event taking place on Sunday, January 13, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

This independently organized event, licensed by TED, features a variety of speakers and entertainers from Hawaii and beyond, that will draw…

MAUI, HAWAII–This week Robert Wintner accepted a position on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Board of Directors. Wintner is known in Hawaii as Snorkel Bob and for defense of marine species and habitat.

Wintner said, “I join the Sea Shepherd Board of Directors in the continuing spirit of protecting family and friends. And I welcome…

Waipa is one of my favorite places on earth. It seems the ancient spirits of Kaua’i collect in the clouds and crevices of the mountains, land and sea, and cling to a new generation of Hawaiians intent on preserving Hawaii’s culture, history and tradition.

From mauka to makai (mountain to sea), the Waipa Foundation, a community-based…

Hawaii has long been one of the top states in the nation for solar energy. After all, the Aloha State has the ninth most installations in the country according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Solar Energy Industries Association found that only five other states installed more photovoltaic power systems than Hawaii during…

Dignitaries including (from left) Pacific Power Renewables Chief Executive Officer David Dwelle and Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, toss handfuls of Hawaiian sea salt during a blessing for the 568-kilowatt BioReal solar power plant in Kihei on Thursday morning.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

The BioReal solar power…

The Board of Land and Natural Resources is allowing construction of a 14-story solar telescope planned for Haleakala to proceed. 

The board approved the conservation district use permit for the University of Hawaii project last week, according to Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 

The $300 million telescope has been embroiled…

Two recently launched websites are promising to provide visitors unprecedented perspectives on the health of coral reefs around Hawaii island.

The sites — the Coral Health Atlas and Long-term Monitoring of Coral Health at Waiopae Hawaii…

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie and other dignitaries paid a special visit to the area for the Homestead Farm Tour last…

Hawaii Electric Light Co. will seek public comment on the draft which will help guide renewable energy developers as they prepare their bids to supply geothermal power to HELCO.

A final draft of the document is scheduled to be completed by January 2013 and selection…