Energy Independence

The dangerous convergence of economic, environmental and security interests surrounding our near total dependence on imported oil, make the goal of energy independence the most critical issue facing our State.

But, as a place with an abundance of natural energy resources including solar, wind, geothermal, wave and ocean thermal the opportunity and benefits of tackling this issue are huge.

Retaining within our own economy any significant percentage of the $7 billion or more presently exported annually for the importation of foreign oil would have a massive and immediate economic-multiplier effect. The creation of new “Green Collar” jobs in both the development and implementation of renewable energy strategies is a tangible, here and now, opportunity.

Hawaii can be the world leader in the development of renewable energy. That is not an idle dream. It is a realizable goal.