Skip to content
Reading time: 3 minutes
Sustainability summit participants working outside
Hawaiʻi Sustainability in Higher Education Summit participants

Three out of eight Hawaiʻi Green Business awards given by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism were received by “green events” hosted at University of Hawaiʻi campuses.

“These businesses and events have gone the extra mile to demonstrate their exemplary stewardship of the environment and strong commitment to helping Hawaiʻi achieve energy independence,” said Governor David Ige.

TEDxHonolulu “Flow 2016”

group of people posing with award in the governor's office
From left, Mary Alice Evans,DBEDT; Kevin Faller, KVIBE; Jordan Ragasa, KVIBE; Lauren Reichelt, Blue Planet Foundation; Justin Espiritu, Bikeshare Hawaiʻi; Keith Kawaoka, Department of Health; Doorae Shin, Kokua Hawaiʻi Foundation; Jeff Hawe, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi and Govenor David Ige.

Hosted at UH Mānoa, this event encouraged attendees to explore alternative transportation options, including a bike valet by KVIBE and EV Drive and Ride by Blue Planet Foundation. The event also featured locally sourced vegan food, and the food waste was sorted and composted by Sustainable Coastlines.

5th Annual Hawaiʻi Sustainability in Higher Education Summit

group of people posing with award in the governor's office
From left, Keith Kawaoka, Department of Health; Mary Alice Evans, DBEDT; Nicole Chatterson, UH Office of Sustainability; Shawnie Fowler, UH Office of Sustainability; Christina Kaleiwahea; Student Sustainability Coalition of Hawaiʻi and Govenor David Ige

Hosted at UH West Oʻahu, this event explored the “Meeting of Wisdoms” between ancestral knowledge and modern science. Conference attendees participated in service learning projects at Kaʻala Farms and MAʻO Farms and an e-poster session that produced no waste. Participants enjoyed a menu that was 80 percent sourced from farms in West Oʻahu, 95 percent sourced within the State of Hawaiʻi, and 100 percent of the food waste was composted on-site.

Hawaiʻi-Germany Clean Energy Symposium

group of people posing with award in the governor's office
From left, Adrian Franke, UH Cancer Center; Mary Alice Evans, DBEDT; Keith Kawaoka, Department of Health; Randall Holcombe, UH Cancer Center; Chris Chaney, The Nook Neighborhood Bistro; Matthew K Lynch, UH Office of Sustainability and Govenor David Ige

Hosted at the UH Cancer Center’s LEED Gold-certified conference facilities, this event was co-sponsored by the German American Chamber of Commerce and offered participants the opportunity to learn from the latest German innovations in energy storage, renewable generation and energy efficiency. The Nook Neighborhood Bistro provided a locally sourced luncheon and strove to achieve zero waste through source reduction management and composting of all food waste.

“We are proud to have been chosen as a partner with the University of Hawaiʻi in our efforts to bring German Clean Energy expertise to Hawaiʻi,” said German Honorary Consul Dennis Salle. “This official recognition of our collaborative efforts proves that our partnership can and will help to change Hawaiʻi’s energy landscape.”

Learn more about the Hawaiʻi Green Business program.

Back To Top